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Green Neon Tetra

Green Neon Tetra

Origin

🇧🇷

Brazil

🇨🇴

Colombia

🇻🇪

Venezuela

Habitat Size

20-50 Liters

Water Type

Fresh Water

Water Temperature

23º-28ºC

Cost in India

₹50 - ₹100

Size

1 - 1.5 inches (Nano)

Diet

Omnivore

Small fish with blue and red stripes swims right in a blurry aquarium with brown and green accents
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by Happy Pet TeamUpdated on 2 Dec 2025

The Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) is a tiny, bright fish with a shiny green/blue stripe along its body and a soft red glow on the belly. People love them because they look magical in groups and are fun to watch as they swim together. They are smaller and a bit rarer than the common neon tetra, so many hobbyists enjoy adding a school of Green Neons to a planted tank.

Green Neon Tetra Origin

  1. Native to South America — mostly the upper Negro and Orinoco river basins in slow, dark “blackwater” streams.

Temperament

  1. Very peaceful
  2. Shoaling fish: they feel happy and safe in groups
  3. Quiet swimmers — they like calm water with gentle flow

Green Neon Tetra Compatibility

Good tankmates:

  1. Other small, peaceful fish such as:
  2. Small rasboras
  3. Dwarf rasborias
  4. Peaceful tetras (not big aggressive ones)
  5. Tiny catfish like Corydoras
  6. Honey gourami
  7. Shrimp

Avoid:

  1. Large or nippy fish (barbs, big cichlids) and fast, aggressive feeders that will bully or eat them

Green Neon Tetra Price range in India

In India a pair or single Green Neon can vary widely, around ₹300–₹500 per pair (prices change by seller and size).

Characteristics

Temperament

Aggressive

Friendly

Compatibility with other fishes

Not Friendly

Super Friendly

Habitat Size

Small

Large

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Green Neon Tetra Habitat Requirements

Initial Setup Cost

₹3,000 - ₹6,000

Water Temperature

23º -28ºC

Water Type

Fresh Water

PH Level

5 - 7

Green Neon Tetra Tank type

  1. Freshwater (blackwater-like if possible)

Aquarium size

  1. 20 liters (5 US gallons) for a small school
  2. 30–50 liters (8–13 gal) is better, so a group of 8–10 can swim happily

Green Neon Tetra Water Conditions

  1. Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F) — keep stable with a heater
  2. pH: 5.5–6.0 (they prefer soft, slightly acidic water)
  3. Hardness: very soft to moderately soft (low dGH)

Environment needs

  1. Lots of plants (rooted and floating) to give shade and diffused light
  2. Dark or sandy substrate and driftwood help copy their natural blackwater home
  3. Gentle filter flow (they prefer slow-moving water)

Essential Equipment

Aquarium tank

Water filter

Heater

Light

Substrate

Green Neon Tetra Nutritional Guide

Avg Monthly Expenses

₹50 - ₹ 100

Green Neon Tetra Diet type

  1. Omnivore — will eat small animals and plant foods

Suitable foods

  1. Good staples: micro flakes and small pellets made for small tetras
  2. Treats: frozen or live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro worms
  3. Occasional vegetable bits (finely blanched and tiny) are fine

Green Neon Tetra Feeding frequency & tips

  1. Feed small amounts 2 times a day so they eat everything in ~2 minutes
  2. Offer a varied diet so colors and health stay good.
  3. Remove uneaten food to keep the water clean
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Green Neon Tetra Health & care

Common Health Issues

Fin rot

White spot / ick

Fungus

Dropsy (swollen abdomen)

Swim bladder disease

Parasitic infections

Signs of good health

Active

Good apetite

Bright coloration

Signs of sickness

Lethargic behaviour

Loss of appetite

Dull coloring

Tattered fins

Swimming abnormally

Green Neon Tetras are hardy fish if clean water, good tank conditions, and a variety of good-quality foods are provided. They cope well with most stress due to these key things. However, there are some common problems that may occur:

Neon Tetra Disease (NTD)

A more serious parasite disease called ichthyophthiriasis affects tetras. The first symptoms are that the fish loses its bright colors and becomes thin. Other symptoms include the appearance of odd lumps, a curvature to the spine, and difficulty in swimming. No one can practically treat true NTD, but removing an affected fish from the system usually helps it. Preventive measures include buying healthy fish, quarantining of new additions, and maintaining good tank hygiene and parameters.

Ich (White Spot disease)

Ich is a common parasite that shows as tiny white dots like salt on the fish. Infected fish may scratch on plants and hide more. Ich can be treated with over-the-counter aquarium medicines and by gently raising the water temperature for a short time (follow product instructions). Also do tank cleaning and quarantine the sick fish if possible. Good water quality and not overcrowding the tank lowers the chance of Ich.

Fin rot / Bacterial infections

Tears, ragged edges, and black or red edges on fins indicate fin rot or bacterial infections. Poor water quality or stress can cause fin rot in the fish. Treatment occurs by improving water, changing water regularly, cleaning the tank, providing appropriate antibiotic or antibacterial medication, providing good food, and providing correct stocking densities.

Green Neon Tetra General health tips

  1. Quarantine new fish for 2 weeks
  2. Keep water stable (temperature, pH) and do small weekly water changes (10–25%)
  3. Feed varied tiny foods and avoid overfeeding
  4. Watch your fish daily so you spot problems early

Prerequisites for a Fish

Adequate tank space

Cleanliness

Enriching Environment

Effort & commitment

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Written by

Happy Pet Team

Author

Team Happy Pet is a passionate collective of pet experts, enthusiasts, and advocates dedicated to sharing trusted and insightful content.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can Green Neon Tetras live with other fish?

Yes, Green Neon Tetras are peaceful and can coexist with other small, non-aggressive fish species such as other tetras, guppies, and rasboras. Avoid housing them with larger, aggressive fish that may see them as prey.

What water conditions do Green Neon Tetras prefer?

Green Neon Tetras prefer slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0. The water temperature should be maintained between 23°C and 28°C. They also thrive in soft water with low mineral content.

How can I tell if my Green Neon Tetras are healthy?

Healthy Green Neon Tetras are active, have bright coloration, and a good appetite. They should not exhibit signs of illness such as lethargy, dull colors, tattered fins, or abnormal swimming behavior.