Keeping a Neon Tetra healthy is not very difficult. Most of their head is taken up by large beady eyes which sit almost perfectly level with their mouth. Their bodies are thin, narrow, and torpedo-shaped. However, bred fish usually don’t get much larger than one and a half inches. In the wild, they can reach about two and a half inches in length. When it comes to size, Neon Tetras are not very big at all. This allows them to blend into their natural habitat and hide from predatory fish.

Aside from those three colors, Neon Tetras have a translucent body. The belly of the fish is colored in a neutral white. For Cardinal Tetras, it runs through the entire length of the fish. For Neon Tetras, the stripe only crosses half of the body. While they do look similar, the biggest difference is the size of the red stripe. Because of this red streak, Neon Tetras are commonly mistaken for Cardinal Tetras. It’s believed that the stripe is used to improve visibility among different types of tetras.īelow the blue stripe, there’s a partial red stripe that starts at the middle of the fish’s body. This stripe has a somewhat iridescent quality and reflects light very well. Splashes of red, white, and blue cover their bodies.Ī shiny blue stripe extends from the tip of their heads to the adipose fine, which is a small rounded fin above the tail. As their name would suggest, these fish have a noticeably vibrant color pattern. The most distinct aspect of the Neon Tetra is its color.

Their popularity continues even today due to their beauty and relatively easy care. Thanks to their stunning good looks, these fish quickly became a hot commodity among enthusiasts. Neon Tetras (also called paracheirodon innesi) were classified back in the 1930s when they were first brought to the United States from South America. They’re most prevalent in Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and sometimes Ecuador. While most of the fish sold are bred in captivity, you can find Neon Tetras swimming throughout the Amazon Basin. However, there’s more to this fish than meets the eye. These fish are one of the most popular species for aquarists around the world. What Are Good Tank Mates For Neon Tetras?Ĭhances are, you’ve seen a Neon Tetra before.

Cardinal tetra