Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans): Ultimate Care Guide

Scientific NameParacheirodon simulans
Common Name(s)Green Neon Tetra, Blue Neon Tetra, False Neon
OriginRio Jafaris, Ornico, and Upper Negro River Basins
Temperature Range75-85 °F
pHpH: 5.0-6.5
Water HardnessSoft Water (18-143 ppm)
Adult Size15-25 mm
DietDried food and live food such as bloodworm or mosquito larvae

Green Neon Tetra Facts

  • Despite some sexual dimorphism, both male and female Green Neon Tetra have a bright turquoise stripe that runs along both sides of their bodies.
  • These fish are shoaling fish. This means they tend to gather together. If they feel safe, however, this behavior often dissipates, and each fish swims independently.
  • Green neon tetra appear more colorful and splashy when when they are grouped together.
Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)

Appearance

Like many other tetra species, Green Neon Tetra are known for their bright coloration. Their base color is grayish silver, with a long turquoise fluorescent lateral stripe on each side. They have red and green coloration near their head, caudal fin, and ventral region. Their torpedo body shape is similar to neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), which are related to green neon tetra. Occasionally, green neon tetra can be marketed for having golden scales.

However, such patterns are actually caused by a parasite, not the fish’s natural coloring. Consider this when one sees an advertisement for “gold neon tetra.” Interestingly, a green neon tetra’s intensity of coloring is influenced by light conditions and being around its own species.

Identifying the gender of these fish can pose a challenge to some owners since both sexes exhibit elaborate coloration and are generally a close match in appearance. However, when determining sex, the best indicator is the relative sizes of the females and males. Males tend to be slightly smaller than females. Females also have a subtly more bulbous or rounded appearance.

Green Neon Tetra Care

Green neon tetra are a suitable fish for someone desiring a colorful tropical aquarium. Its flashy appearance and unique behaviors make it an interesting species to consider buying. However, it is also vital to first consider their needs.

Tank Setup & Habitat

Green Neon Tetra were first identified in the Rio Jafaris, and are native to the freshwaters of Rio Ornico and the Upper part of the Negro River in South America. Their natural environment allows them to swim in the calm waters of tributaries covered in the tree litter of nearby forests.  Suited for a blackwater habitat with high acidity, this fish is typically found among many plants and debris, such as driftwood, hanging branches, and organic decaying material. 

One should model such an environment when keeping Green Neon Tetra in an aquarium. Therefore, a tank of 10 gallons or more with abundant plant life and sand-like sediment is well-suited for Green Neon Tetra since it supports their natural tendency to hide in shaded areas. 

Dim lighting overall is also needed, especially when any eggs are hatching.  Also, no additional ammonia or nitrates should be added to the tank.  An acidic tank environment, with all its plants, soft water, and appropriate temperature range, should be established before buying Green Neon Tetra because it is very sensitive to habitat conditions.

Behavior

As mentioned previously, this fish is relatively frail because it requires specific water conditions.  Some, but not all, aquarium fish are taken from the wild, so it is not uncommon to see more tentative hiding behaviors than normal in the fish for its first few days of acclimating. 

Though Green Neon Tetra can coexist peacefully with other species,  the habitat conditions it requires makes it not the best fish to put in large communities.  Additionally, due to its petite size, it can sometimes fall prey to larger fish, so it is important to keep any predatory species away from green neon tetra.

This recommended seclusion, however, does not apply when it is among its own species. Typically, green neon tetra can be bought in groups of six or more because they normally interact with their peers. This behavior is because green neon tetra are shoaling fish, which, like a schooling fish, they tend to group together with their own species, especially in times of danger. One might notice shoaling behaviors, such as the fish swimming along the same vague path. 

However,  groups do not exhibit as much coordinated movement as one might expect of schooling fish, which can make intricate swim paths in unison.

The mating of green neon tetra is a fairly regular process and can happen at any time when they are kept in captivity. Females lay over 100 eggs in shaded areas because UV radiation is harmful at that point in their development. The eggs then hatch in a single day. Parents do not care for their offspring since the young fish are viable independently.

Food & Diet

Fortunately, feeding the omnivorous Green Neon Tetra is not much trouble. They will eat dried food such as flakes or pellets, which work well since green neon tetra do have a tendency to swim closer to the surface of the pond and dry food floats well.  To supplement their diet, Green Neon Tetra will also eat the frozen or live larvae of mosquitoes and chironomia (blood worm).  They will also feed on small invertebrates such as daphnia. 

Green Neon Tetra | An Awesome Fish for Nano Tanks #shorts

Meaning of Name: Paracheirodon simulans

The name Paracheirodon simulans can be broken down into several meanings. The prefix “para” means “related to.” The genus name of green neon tetra then comes out as “related to cheirodon.” Likewise, “simulans” , like the word “simular,” relates to sameness and means “copying or imitating.”

Be warned that Paracheirodon simulans is often mistaken for simply being “neon tetra” rather than “green neon tetra” because of both a similar appearance and name to Paracheirodon innesi. They are different species, and it’s easy to mistake articles referring only to neon tetra as something about simulans when the information is simply not applicable.

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