The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America.

Feb 3, 2025 · Neon Tetras (also called paracheirodon innesi) were classified back in the 1930s when they were first brought to the United States from South America. Thanks to their stunning good looks, these fish quickly became a hot commodity among enthusiasts.

Paracheirodon: from the Greek para, meaning ‘related to’, and the generic name Cheirodon. innesi: named for American aquarist, author, photographer, printer and publisher Wiliiam T. Innes (1874-1969). Order: Characiformes Family: Characidae.

Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is the iconic species in ornamental aquaculture. This small-bodied, brightly colored fish is one of the most commercially traded aquarium fish in the world, with about 2 million imported and sold only in the United States each month.

An in-depth guide to the care, breeding, & habitat of the Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). complete with high-quality images for this beautiful Fish.

Identification: Weitzman and Fink (1983) revised the group, and provided distinguishing characteristics, a key, and photographs. Color photographs were provided by Géry (1977), Weitzman and Fink (1987), and Sakurai et al. (1993). Similar species include Paracheirodon simulans (green neon) and P. axelrodi (cardinal tetra).

Paracheirodon is a genus of freshwater fish in the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. The type species is P. innesi, the well-known neon tetra, and the Paracheirodon species are among the fishes known as tetras.

Feeds on worms, small insects, crustaceans and plant matter. In tank, female lays a relatively small number of eggs, which hatch in about 24 hours (Ref. 7020). Most popular aquarium fish. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 …

With the discovery of the cardinal tetra, the popularity of this beautiful fish has diminished. The first thing you notice when you see Paracheirodon innesi are their colors. From the tip of their nose, a fluorescent blue bar runs horizontally to the back. From halfway their body, you can see a clear red bar running into their caudal fin.

Paracheirodon innesi (Myers, 1936) in GBIF Secretariat (2023). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-02-04. Eschmeyer, William N., ed., 1998: Catalog of Fishes. Special Publication of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Information, no. 1, vol 1-3. 2905.