Green Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon simulans

Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)

The Green Neon Tetra is a small, elegant freshwater tetra admired for its glowing blue-green lateral stripe, peaceful shoaling behaviour and excellent suitability for planted aquariums. Smaller and more delicate-looking than the common Neon Tetra, this species is best kept in mature, calm aquariums with stable water quality, soft lighting and plenty of cover. In a well-planted group display, Green Neon Tetras create a bright, shimmering effect as they move through the midwater.

Common Name:
Green Neon Tetra, Green Neon, False Neon Tetra, Simulans Tetra

Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracheirodon simulans

Maximum Size:
Approximately 2–2.5 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Green Neon Tetra originates from South America, including the rio Negro and Orinoco drainages of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

In the wild, it is associated with soft, acidic, often tannin-stained waters, shaded forest streams, flooded areas and quiet habitats with leaf litter, roots, branches and marginal vegetation.

In the aquarium, it does best in a mature planted setup with subdued lighting, floating plants, driftwood, leaf litter and calm open swimming areas.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 5.0–7.0
Hardness: Soft water preferred
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable
Flow: Gentle to moderate preferred

Temperament:
Peaceful

Green Neon Tetras are peaceful shoaling fish and should be kept with calm tankmates that will not bully or outcompete them.

They are best kept in groups, where they become more confident, display better colour and show more natural midwater swimming behaviour.

Diet:
Omnivore / Micro-predator

The Green Neon Tetra naturally feeds on tiny invertebrates, zooplankton, insect larvae and fine food particles.

Offer high-quality micro pellets, finely crushed tropical flakes and small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp and finely chopped bloodworm.

Because of their small mouths, all foods should be finely sized.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 45–60 litres for a small group

A mature planted aquarium with stable water quality is strongly recommended.

Larger aquariums are preferred for bigger groups or mixed peaceful communities, as they provide more swimming space, better stability and a stronger shoaling display.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Green Neon Tetra spends much of its time swimming calmly in the middle areas of the aquarium.

A settled group will move together through open spaces and retreat among plants, roots or shaded cover when startled.

Their blue-green stripe is especially striking under soft lighting, against dark backgrounds and in planted or blackwater-style aquariums.

Community Suitability:
Peaceful Community Fish

The Green Neon Tetra is ideal for peaceful planted aquariums, blackwater-style displays and calm nano community setups.

Suitable tankmates include small rasboras, other peaceful tetras, dwarf pencilfish, small corydoras, otocinclus, kuhli loaches, peaceful dwarf cichlids with care and freshwater shrimp where breeding is not the priority.

Avoid large fish, aggressive species, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, predatory fish and any tankmate large enough to swallow them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep this species in a group of at least 8, with 10 or more preferred where space allows.

A mature aquarium with stable, soft water and low nitrate is strongly recommended.

Avoid bright, bare aquariums, unstable new setups and aggressive tankmates.

Green Neon Tetras are often more sensitive than some common community fish, especially after import, so careful acclimation and stable conditions are important.

Floating plants, leaf litter, driftwood and darker substrate can help them feel secure and show stronger colour.

Regular small water changes are better than large sudden changes.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate

Availability:
Common to occasional, depending on season and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.