The Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish admired for its striking neon-green horizontal stripe and shimmering silver body. Known for its schooling behavior, it is a popular choice for community aquariums.
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The Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish admired for its striking neon-green horizontal stripe and shimmering silver body. Known for its schooling behavior, it is a popular choice for community aquariums.
Small, slender body with a vivid neon-green horizontal stripe from eye to tail. Fins are translucent with faint red edges. Adults grow up to 1.5 inches (3.5–4 cm).
3–5 years with proper care
Omnivorous — feeds on high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.
Green Neon Tetras are an attractive and peaceful addition to planted community tanks. Their bright green stripe and schooling behavior make them visually striking and engaging.
Moderate — sensitive to water fluctuations but otherwise hardy.
15 gallons (for a school of 8+)
5.5 to 7.0
1–10 dGH
73–79°F (23–26°C)
1.5 inches (3.5–4 cm)
Compatible with other peaceful tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, small livebearers, dwarf gouramis, and peaceful shrimp/snails.
Avoid aggressive or much larger fish that may harass or eat them, such as cichlids, tiger barbs, or large bettas.
Paracheirodon simulans
Characidae
Rio Negro Basin, Brazil, South America
Highly social schooling fish. Best kept in groups of 8 or more to encourage natural synchronized swimming.
Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Offer a balanced diet of flakes or micro-pellets, supplemented with live or frozen foods for optimal coloration and health.
Egg scatterer. Spawns in fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Adults do not guard eggs and should be removed after spawning to prevent predation.
Requires a separate breeding tank with soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5, temperature 75–79°F / 24–26°C). Provide fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours, and fry become free-swimming in 4–5 days. Feed fry initially with infusoria, then transition to baby brine shrimp.
pH: 5.5–7.0, Temperature: 73–79°F (23–26°C), Hardness: 1–10 dGH, Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: <20 ppm.
Susceptible to ich, fin rot, and stress if water quality declines or if kept in insufficient numbers.
Peaceful, social schooling fish
Peaceful and schooling. Exhibits synchronized swimming when kept in groups. Prefers mid-level tank areas and enjoys planted environments with open swimming spaces.
Native to the Rio Negro basin in Brazil, the Green Neon Tetra is prized for its vibrant neon-green coloration and peaceful nature. Best kept in schools of 8 or more, it exhibits natural schooling behavior and adds visual sparkle to planted community tanks. Prefers soft, slightly acidic water and subdued lighting, which enhances its iridescent coloration. This species is suitable for beginner aquarists provided water parameters are maintained consistently.