Post by MADMIKE on Apr 9, 2007 16:29:29 GMT -5
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Characin
Freshwater
Size: Up to 1.5" (4cm)
Tank: 20 inches, 10 gallons
Strata: Bottom, middle
pH: 5.5 to 7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium, dH
range: 1–25
Temperature: 68ºF to 78ºF (2025°
C)
Family: Characidae
Origin: South America: Western
Brazil, Northern Peru and Colombia
Social: Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 5 years
Diet: flake and frozen food.
Breeding: Difficult
Care: Easy
Classification
Order: Cypriniformes
Suborder: Characoidei
Super-Family: Characidoidea
Family: Characidae
Genera: Paracheirodon
General Body Form
A slender fish somewhat spindle shaped with little lateral compression. The nose is
blunt and the belly area seems to be rounded in the females and concave in the males.
Coloration
Starting at about the center of the body, there is a wide bright red band extending to the
start of the caudal fin. Above this is a blue band with a green sheen that runs from the
upper part of the eye to the adipose fin.
The upper-side is olive-green and the underside is Silver in color. The anal fin is milky
white to transparent.
Maintenance
A peaceful fish ideal for a community tank. Do not keep the Neon Tetra with
substantially larger fish such as Angels, for the neon may get eaten. Keep this fish in
groups of five or more
The lighting should be dimmed by a cover of floating plants. The tank should be well-
planted and have a dark gravel substrate.
Breeding
Egg scatterer, requires soft, very clean water. Failures in breeding are in most cases
due to unsuitable water conditions.
To spawn them, you will need a small tank placed in a dark spot as the eggs seem to be
light sensitive, a 2 inch layer of half inch rock and some bunches of fine textured live
plants like Myriophyllium are suitable as the spawning medium.
Water should have a pH of 5-6, a temperature of 75-77°F (24-25°C), and a hardness of
1-5 dH.
Only young fish should be used for breeding.
They usually spawn early in the morning. The clear eggs are laid among the plants and
barely stick to them. In 22 to 26 hours the eggs hatch and the fry are very hard to spot,
but appear 3-4 days later at which time they are free swimming and will need to be fed
infusoria. The species is not very prolific and a good spawn would be 40-50 fry.
Remove the parents after spawning.
Leave the eggs in the dark tank to keep down the growth of fungus.
The fry hatch after 24 hours.
The young are free swimming after five days, after which time they can be fed crushed
flakes and paramecia.
Paracheirodon innesi
Characin
Freshwater
Size: Up to 1.5" (4cm)
Tank: 20 inches, 10 gallons
Strata: Bottom, middle
pH: 5.5 to 7.5
Hardness: Soft to medium, dH
range: 1–25
Temperature: 68ºF to 78ºF (2025°
C)
Family: Characidae
Origin: South America: Western
Brazil, Northern Peru and Colombia
Social: Peaceful
Community Tank: Yes
Lifespan: 5 years
Diet: flake and frozen food.
Breeding: Difficult
Care: Easy
Classification
Order: Cypriniformes
Suborder: Characoidei
Super-Family: Characidoidea
Family: Characidae
Genera: Paracheirodon
General Body Form
A slender fish somewhat spindle shaped with little lateral compression. The nose is
blunt and the belly area seems to be rounded in the females and concave in the males.
Coloration
Starting at about the center of the body, there is a wide bright red band extending to the
start of the caudal fin. Above this is a blue band with a green sheen that runs from the
upper part of the eye to the adipose fin.
The upper-side is olive-green and the underside is Silver in color. The anal fin is milky
white to transparent.
Maintenance
A peaceful fish ideal for a community tank. Do not keep the Neon Tetra with
substantially larger fish such as Angels, for the neon may get eaten. Keep this fish in
groups of five or more
The lighting should be dimmed by a cover of floating plants. The tank should be well-
planted and have a dark gravel substrate.
Breeding
Egg scatterer, requires soft, very clean water. Failures in breeding are in most cases
due to unsuitable water conditions.
To spawn them, you will need a small tank placed in a dark spot as the eggs seem to be
light sensitive, a 2 inch layer of half inch rock and some bunches of fine textured live
plants like Myriophyllium are suitable as the spawning medium.
Water should have a pH of 5-6, a temperature of 75-77°F (24-25°C), and a hardness of
1-5 dH.
Only young fish should be used for breeding.
They usually spawn early in the morning. The clear eggs are laid among the plants and
barely stick to them. In 22 to 26 hours the eggs hatch and the fry are very hard to spot,
but appear 3-4 days later at which time they are free swimming and will need to be fed
infusoria. The species is not very prolific and a good spawn would be 40-50 fry.
Remove the parents after spawning.
Leave the eggs in the dark tank to keep down the growth of fungus.
The fry hatch after 24 hours.
The young are free swimming after five days, after which time they can be fed crushed
flakes and paramecia.