The green neon tetra is a small, freshwater fish. These fish look similar to the neon tetra, only green in color. In fact, they look so similar that they are often called the false neon tetra!
They don’t need a large tank and should be in soft and lukewarm water, but they can stay in the water as cold as 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Overall, they are a great fish to have if you are just an amateur and don’t want a fish that is hard to keep.
Appearance
The appearance of this fish can throw people off sometimes. it looks so similar to other small tetra species like the neon tetra that they will mistake it for another tetra species!
The main difference between the green neon tetra and other types of tetras is the color of their stripes. Green neon tetras will have a shiny green stripe, unlike similar species.
Usual Behavior
The green neon tetra is a peaceful, schooling fish, so you don’t have to worry about these fish making a lot of trouble.
Although you can just have 6 in a tank, it is highly recommended that you get at least 10 green neon tetras. These fish do best in larger schools.
Tank Setup
You don’t have to stress too much about their tank setup, but it’s advised that you add live plants.
You could add some some driftwood and rocks so you’re green neon tetras can hide when they want to.
Typical Lifespan
These fish will typically live for around 2-3 years when they are cared for properly.
Remember that low water quality can and will ultimately shorten your fish’s lifespan, so make sure your fish are healthy and the water parameters are ideal.
Size
Green neon tetras only get around an inch in length, so they are just slightly smaller than the neon tetra.
They don’t need a very large tank, but these fish should be in larger schools, so make sure they have plenty of space.
Green Neon Tetra Care
These fish aren’t too hard to care for, but they do come with a few challenges.
First, their water has to be very soft, which for some, could be a challenge.
Also, green neon tetras need acidic water, which may also be a challenge, but overall, they are pretty easy to care for.
Tank Size
You can technically keep a school of six in a 10-gallon aquarium, but it isn’t ideal.
These fish need to be in larger schools, so the larger the school, the more space they will need! This is why I recommend getting at least a 15-20 gallon aquarium for these fish instead.
Tank Mates
These fish are so peaceful that all you have to worry about is their tank mates.
Make sure that they are peaceful and smaller in size, or else your green neon tetras could become a snack!
Tank mates include the following:
- Mystery Snails
- Black Tetras
- Danios
- Cherry barbs
- Sparkling Gourami
- Honey Gourami
- Cory Catfish
- Livebearers
Diet
Green Neon Tetras do best on a diet with variety, so try not to feed them only one food.
These fish will eat fish flakes, live and frozen baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
Water Parameters
Green neon tetras are not hard to keep and will live in a variety of water parameters, but if the water parameters are not stable, they still can and will suffer.
So, make sure the water parameters are stable if you want your green neon tetras to live the longest they possibly can.
- pH of the water: 5.0-6.5
- Temperature of the water: 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit
- Water Hardness: Very soft
Common Diseases
Although not subject to any species-specific diseases, green neon tetras are by no means immune to disease.
The main disease you should look out for is Ich. This ectoparasite will appear as white dots on the fish’s body as it eats into the victim’s body and forms a white dome around itself.
This parasitic disease is fatal, although it can be cured. Luckily, this disease doesn’t progress very fast, but you should still treat it as soon as possible!
Typical Price
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know what you will pay, but you can expect to pay at least 2-3 dollars. Just note that you may pay more or less. It depends on the seller and where you live.
Breeding Tips
If you are going to breed green neon tetras, you are in for a bit of a challenge. Although it is possible, many experienced keepers haven’t succeeded.
First off, you’re going to need a dedicated 20-gallon breeding tank as you’re going to have to remove the fish after they have finished spawning.
The water in the breeding tank should be very acidic (a pH of 5.0 is ideal) and fairly warm (85°F is best).
Dimming the lights in the fish tank is also highly advised as well.
Once you have added the green neon tetras, watch the fish carefully. Males and females will get close during the breeding process.
Females will lay around 100 eggs, which they scatter in various places, but you should see a lot near plants.
Once the eggs are fertilized, quickly remove the adult tetras. Once the fish have hatched and eaten their egg sacs, you may feed them baby brine shrimp or your fry food of choice.
Are Green Neon Tetras for Me?
These fish can live with a variety of fish and in a wide variety of water parameters, but you may have some problems breeding these fish.
Overall, green neon tetras are a great beginner-friendly fish that will light up your aquarium. Just remember that they do come with a few challenges!
The diamond tetra has bluish-gray scales, a tall dorsal fin, and transparent fins. Their fins can either be long or short. It really depends on the type. The picture above depicts a short-finned diamond tetra.
These fish are not very large, so they don’t need a very large aquarium. I will talk about their size in a moment.
