Breeding / Rarely bred at home
Rarely bred at home · Moderate
Breeding the green neon tetra
Rarely bred; not bred commercially, so most fish sold are wild-caught. Spawns better in a group than in pairs.
Step by step
Pairing
Needs a large group in mature, stable conditions; pairing is hard to control.
Breeding tank
Roomy, planted tank with very soft acidic water (pH 5-6.5), subdued light and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mat.
What starts it
Rain-season style changes: soft cool water changes, a small temperature rise and heavy live feeding.
Eggs and young
About 130 eggs per spawning; fry hatch in about 24 hours.
Raising the fry
Infusoria then brine shrimp nauplii; survival is poor without very clean water.
Common mistakes
- Hard tap water
- Overcrowding the breeding tank
- Poor water quality
Male or female
Mature females are a little larger and noticeably rounder-bodied than males.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- This species is rarely bred in home tanks.
- Takes some experience.