
It’s very important that you keep the water parameters consistent in a tank containing Green Neon tetras.

As a general rule of thumb, you need one gallon of water per inch of fish, so the more fish you have, the larger the aquarium you will need. The reason for that is that these are shoaling fish, so you will need to keep at least six individuals. Just because the fish are small, doesn’t mean that they will be happy in a small tank. The first thing to understand about housing Green Neons is that they should not be kept in a tank of fewer than 20 gallons. Green Neon tetras are pretty straightforward to look after and will thrive if given the right conditions. Green Neon tetras grow to measure about one-quarter inch in length. Males are a little smaller than females, and the female fish tend to have a rounder, more bulbous appearance, especially during the spawning season when they are swollen with eggs.

However, the most reliable indicator of gender in these fish is their relative size. In general, Neon tetra Paracheirodon simulans show the same coloration, and both males and females are a pretty close match in appearance. If you want to breed any species of fish, you’ll need to know whether you have a good mix of both sexes. So, a shoal of Green Neon tetras is more likely to appear vibrant and brightly colored than a single fish all on its lonesome. The intensity of the Green Neon’s color is heavily influenced by the ambient lighting conditions in its environment, as well as being in close proximity to its own species. Needless to say, you don’t want to add one of those fish to your collection, as you may be bringing in a disease that could wipe out your whole collection. However, that coloration is actually caused by a parasite, and it isn’t the fish’s natural, normal color. Sometimes, you may find Green Neons marketed as a novelty variant with a scattering of golden scales. The fish’s body is sleek and torpedo-shaped, much like that of a Neon tetra. Red and green coloration highlights the head, ventral region, and caudal fin. The Green Neon’s base color is grayish silver, ornamented with a startling, metallic turquoise stripe that runs laterally on both sides of the fish’s body. Paracheirodon simulans, like other Neons, are most well-known for their brilliant metallic coloration. The water here is acidic and is generally stained brown because of the decomposing organic matter that it contains. Thick vegetation overhangs the water, and the habitat is cluttered with fallen branches, leaf litter, and tree roots. Green Neon tetras live in blackwater environments where the water is slow-flowing over a sandy substrate.


These pretty little fish come from South America, specifically the middle-to-upper Rio Negro drainage in Brazil, upstream of the mouth of the Rio Branco, as well as in the Rio Orinoco system of the border region of Colombia and Brazil between the mouth of the Río Meta and San Fernando de Atabapo. The Green Neon tetra is also known by its scientific name, Paracheirodon simulans and its common name, the False Neon tetra.
#Green neon tetra how to
In this guide, we show you how to care for the Green Neon tetra, including how to breed your own specimens in a home breeding tank. However, these little aquatic gems are just as beautiful as their cousins, and they can make an inexpensive and readily available alternative. Most hobbyists are familiar with the Neon tetra and Cardinal tetra, but the Green Neon tetra is often overlooked. If you’re looking for a small fish that can add a splash of metallic sparkle to your community tank, the Green Neon tetra might be a species worth considering.
