Animal Profiles
Fish

Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon innesi

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The neon tetra is a small South American freshwater fish known for its bright lateral stripe. Wild fish inhabit Amazonian tributaries, while aquarium populations have been bred in very large numbers.

Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) photographed in an aquarium.

Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) photographed in an aquarium.

Holger Krisp · CC BY

At a glance

Location
Paracheirodon innesi occurs in blackwater and clearwater tributaries of the Solimões system in the Amazon basin. The native range should be distinguished from the many places where it is kept in aquariums.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Worms, insects, small crustaceans and plant matter supply food.

Classification

Common name
Neon Tetra
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Paracheirodon innesi
Taxon rank
species
Order
Characiformes
Family
Characidae
Genus
Paracheirodon
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is native to Amazonian tributaries.
  • It eats animal and plant material.
  • Its natural migration pattern remains uncertain.

Habitat and range

Paracheirodon innesi occurs in blackwater and clearwater tributaries of the Solimões system in the Amazon basin. The native range should be distinguished from the many places where it is kept in aquariums.

Appearance and adaptations

A bright blue-green line runs along the side, with red colouring on the rear underside. The small, compressed body and contrasting stripes give groups their conspicuous appearance.

Diet and behaviour

Worms, insects, small crustaceans and plant matter supply food. The species is widely maintained in groups in aquariums. Its migration pattern in nature remains uncertain in the cited source.

Sources

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