Green neon tetra

The green neon tetra is a small characin of the family Characidae, native to the blackwater tributaries of the upper Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. It closely resembles the common neon tetra but the red on its lower body is greatly reduced, so the dominant feature is a brilliant blue-green lateral stripe. It is a peaceful, timid schooling fish that should be kept in groups of a dozen or more, where it forms tight, shimmering shoals. Soft, warm, acidic blackwater with tannin-stained conditions, dark substrate and gentle filtration best replicates its habitat and brings out color. It eats small foods including micro-pellets, crushed flake and small frozen items. It suits peaceful community and biotope tanks with other small, non-aggressive species. Breeding is possible in very soft, dim water but the eggs and fry are sensitive to light and hardness.