Are Neon Tetras Hardy?

Many aquarists prefer to keep fish that they won’t have to watch over every minute. These are hardy fish. Thus, while neon tetras are beautiful fish to keep in the home aquarium, are they hardy?

Although the neon tetra takes time to adapt to a new water condition, it is a very hardy fish. The first few weeks in a new tank might feel strange to the neon tetra. But they begin to get used to it after a certain period. And, when they do, slight changes in the water condition won’t affect them that much.

Even as neon tetras are hardy, it is important not to keep them in very harsh aquarium conditions. Thus, find out next the best way to set up a tank for your neon tetras.

What Is the Best Tank for Your Neon Tetras?

• Put your neon tetra in a relatively large aquarium with at least 10 gallons of water.
• Make sure you cycle the task before placing any fish in it.
• Filter can suck in fish, so it’s important to cover it up.
• Your aquarium should have enough plantings.
• Make sure you maintain your pH level at 6.5 – 7.0.
• Put the tank in a dimly lit room.
• It is good to school neon tetras with other species of fish.
• Feed the fish twice or thrice daily.

What is the Optimal Water Condition for Neon Tetras?

Water is an essential element that keeps the neon tetra healthy or endangers it. They are very fragile creatures and won’t cope with swift changes in the water parameters.

A cycled aquarium is a nice option to keep neon tetras. Once the level of ammonia in the water exceeds normal the fish can easily die. So, it’s obviously very important to change water on a regular weekly basis by nitration.

It’s important to keep tabs on water parameters which can easily change after feeding the neon tetra. Water temperature is also very important. It plays a vital role in providing the neon tetra with a convenient environment that successfully mimics their natural environment. The water temperature should be within a range of 70 and 81 with a pH level of 6.5 – 7.0.

The neon tetra is a very social fish and will feel stressed when left to swim on their own. It will be a very bad idea to keep a neon tetra on its own as it will contribute negatively to it. Lone neon tetras shy away when anyone approaches them.

Owning a Neon tetra might feel stressful but on the contrary, it’s really going to be fun having them. It takes a patient and well-groomed person to keep them. You have to be very watchful to notice the slightest change in the behavior that they exhibit. The neon tetra might look very beautiful and easygoing. Note that it takes a lot of effort to keep them healthy and alive.

What Aquarium Condition is Good for Neon Tetra Mating?

Neon tetra needs a specific environment to mate. If the environment fails to meet these conditions, you might never get the chance to see them mate. The female carries unfertilized eggs in their bellies. The neon tetra might not mate in the presence of other fish and so you might have to isolate a male and a female before the mate.

As stated earlier, there is need for a perfect environmental condition which includes timely filtering and removal of waste from the aquarium water. You have to also monitor the temperature of the water so it does not exceed the desired limit. The tank will also need to be in a dark place to limit the amount of light that it gets.

Picking a male and female that would end up mating is actually a difficult task, but will be perfected by the aquarist with time. After two days together, the neon tetra must spawn. Once the eggs hatch, remove the adult fish from the tank or they might end up eating the baby neon tetras. Sad but true.

What are the Tank Enemies of Neon Tetra?

Owing to the small nature of the neon tetra, they tend to be very vibrant and active which makes them very good preys of bigger fish attracted to their color. You cannot be so certain that a bigger tank mate won’t eat your neon tetra. Thankfully, neon tetra is one among many animals that have counter coloration, o escape predation.

Once they feel threatened, they change into a transparent appearance which enables them to escape unnoticed. This may sound cool but the fact they are feeling unsafe is not good and as mentioned earlier could lead to them feeling stressed which can ultimately lead to death. They are very strong species of fish but are also very sensitive, delicate, and tender.

Is It Harder to Take of Guppies or Neon Tetras?

Both fish are very good for beginners, but guppies are actually harder to take care of. These two species make a very good schooling combination as they are both peaceful and delicate fish.

What Are the Best Tank Mates for Neon Tetras?

The neon tetra is a very small, non-aggressive, and delicate fish. So, they will thrive staying with a fish of the same characteristics. Non-aggressive fish such as Platies, Guppies, and Mollies will be great tank mates for the neon tetra.

What Does A Female Neon Tetra Look Like?

A male neon tetra is slenderer than the female tetra. The female is curvier than the male tetra. The belly of the female counterpart is larger.

Can Neon Tetras Live with A Goldfish?

The Goldfish are an entirely different species of fish. Consequently, the water conditions for the neon tetra are quite different from those needed for the goldfish. The tank condition and water for the Goldfish are different from what will be optimal for the Neon tetra. So, you should not put them in the same tank or aquarium.

Can You Keep Neon Tetras Together?

The neon tetra thrives better when in school. When isolated, they begin to feel stressed, and Don does not do so well.

If you plan on schooling your neon tetra, there should be at least 15 – 20 of them. Make use of an aquarium that contains at least 20 gallons of water.

A general rule of neon tetras is, th3 larger the school, the more comfortable your neon tetras will feel.

What is Neon Tetra Market Availability?

Neon tetras are readily available and inexpensive.

What is the Best Aquarium Care for Your neon Tetras?

The neon tetra is not exceptionally difficult to take care of as long as their water is kept clean. 25 to 50% of the water in the aquarium should be replaced weekly, especially where you have sensed livestock.

As active swimmers, it would be preferable to keep them in a tank that holds at least 20 gallons of water. The tank should be covered because neon tetras are skilled jumpers and will probably jump off at the slightest opportunity.

What Should You Feed Your Neon Tetras?

Neon tetras are omnivores. In their natural habitat, they can feed on small invertebrates and plants, these include tiny crustaceans, filamentous algae, and fallen fruits. In an aquarium, they will eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake food.

High-quality flake food is advised daily. Feed them with brim shrimps (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat. The only food that can be consumed within 2 minutes should be fed to the neon tetra. They should be fed morning and evening.

What are the Common Neon Tetra Diseases?

As with most fish, the neon tetra is prone to skin flukes, parasitic infestations (protozoa, warms, etc.), ichthyobodosis infection, parasitic infestations (protozoa, warms, etc.), bacterial infections (general), and bacterial disease.

The neon tetra is extremely hardy especially the black ones, disease conditions are not much of a problem in a well-maintained aquarium. But even with a clean tank, there is no guarantee that your neon tetra will not fall sick. This is because anything added to a tank can easily cause disease conditions.

Plants or other fish species and food can cause disease to your neon tetra. Decorations on the aquarium can also contain/house bacteria. It’s imperative to clean your aquarium as often as possible so that your tetras don’t fall sick.

The black neon tetra is very resilient, an outbreak of disease can often be limited to just one or a few fish if dealt with at a very early stage. Whereas, if you are keeping a more sensitive type of fish, they could easily get infected even before the first warning sign or before it is noticed.

Do you want your neon tetra free of all ailments? Then you must keep a proper environment and a well-balanced diet. Try as much as possible to mimic their natural environment which helps to reduce stress and in turn keeps them healthy. Knowing the signs of common tank diseases and treating them early could make the difference.

Conclusion

For lovers of neon tetras, it is good news that these colorful fish are hardy, easy to keep. This means that beginner aquarists can start their fish-keeping journey with these amazing fish.