Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)

Exceptionally beautiful, peaceful, and relatively easy to maintain, the Green Neon Tetra is an ideal aquarium fish. As a result of its small size and somewhat specific requirements, this fish is not recommended for the community aquarium. Ideally, these should be maintained alone or at most with small, non-aggressive fish.

The Green Neon Tetra is a social species and naturally forms schools meaning 8 to 10 of these fish is the minimum recommended purchase since the fish will be less shy and display more interesting behaviour. For aquarists looking for something different, these Tetras also have some subtle variations.

Their closely related and better-known Neon Tetra looks similar to this Green Neon Tetra. However, these are smaller, slimmer, and have less pronounced red patches, and their body has a silvery-greyish base. In addition, its bright turquoise-green colouration elongates across both sides of its body.

Photos

Natural Habitat

Feeding

In the home aquarium, the Green Neon Tetra will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.

Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.

It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.

This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.