About Green Neon Tetra

The Green Neon Tetra is a tiny jewel of the aquarium world, smaller than its Cardinal and Neon cousins but equally beautiful. It displays a brilliant blue-green stripe that extends the full length of its body, with less red coloration than other tetras. Native to the upper Amazon and Orinoco basins, these delicate fish require soft, acidic water but reward the aquarist with stunning color and peaceful behavior. Their small size makes them perfect for nano tanks.

Care Guide

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Green Neon Tetras are tiny and delicate, requiring pristine water conditions. They do best in heavily planted nano tanks or larger tanks with small peaceful companions.

Essential Setup:

  • Heater maintaining 78-80°F
  • Gentle sponge filter (strong flow stresses them)
  • Dark substrate and background
  • Dim to moderate lighting
  • Dense planting (I recommend Java Moss, Cryptocoryne)
  • Leaf litter or driftwood (creates blackwater conditions)
  • Very gentle water flow

Water Quality

  • Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
  • pH: 5.0-6.5 (soft, acidic water required)
  • Water Hardness: Very soft (1-5 dGH)
  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: <10 ppm (very sensitive to nitrates)

Green Neons are more sensitive than regular Neons and require soft, acidic water to thrive. They are not suitable for hard water areas without adjustment.

Feeding

Tiny mouths require tiny food:

  • Crushed flake food
  • Micro pellets
  • Powdered fry food
  • Infusoria
  • Baby brine shrimp
  • Vinegar eels

Feeding Schedule: Small amounts 3 times daily. They have small stomachs and need frequent small feedings.

Behavior & Compatibility

Extremely peaceful but tiny—only suitable with:

  • Other very small peaceful fish
  • Small rasboras (Chili Rasbora, Phoenix Rasbora)
  • Shrimp (Cherry, Amano)
  • Pygmy Corydoras
  • Small tetras of similar size

Avoid:

  • ANY fish large enough to eat them
  • Strong currents
  • Aggressive fish
  • Fish with big mouths

Special Considerations

Size: At under 1 inch, they can be eaten by surprisingly small fish. Only keep with true nano fish.

Sensitivity: More delicate than regular Neons. Need pristine water, soft conditions, and careful acclimation.

Wild Caught: Most are wild-caught, making them more sensitive than tank-raised fish.

Tips for Success

  • Perfect for nano tanks (10-20 gallons)
  • Keep in large groups (10-15) for security
  • Acclimate very slowly (drip acclimation over 2 hours)
  • Soft, acidic water is non-negotiable
  • Feed tiny foods multiple times daily
  • Maintain pristine water quality
  • Combine with Chili Rasboras for stunning nano display

Compatible Tank Mates

🐠 Neon Tetra 🐠 Cardinal Tetra 🐠 Corydoras Catfish 🐠 Dwarf Gourami
🐠 Cherry Shrimp
🐠 Harlequin Rasbora