Description
THIS FISH SHIPS VIA UPS NEXT DAY ONLY. IF YOU ORDER THIS FISH, DO NOT SELECT USPS PRIORITY MAIL
There is almost no person on this earth who has not seen or kept a neon tetra at some point in their lives, and it has been a mainstay in the aquarium hobby since it was first discovered and imported. At one point an extremely expensive fish, the breeding code was cracked on this species and they became a go-to beginner fish for young and old alike! These fish are a gorgeous red and glowing blue, and are instantly recognizable. It can be distinguished from its close relative the cardinal tetra by the silvery white belly, whereas the red pigment on cardinal tetras runs from nose to tail, straight through the belly. Although it was originally collected from Peru, we now know that its range covers a vast portion of the Amazon floodplain. While most people have seen the standard neon tetra, few know about this spectacularly rare European variant, and fewer still can get some in their tank! Rather than their standard finnage, these double veiled variants have extremely extended lobes on all of their fins, including their adipose and ventral fins, which get a beautiful pattern from the extensions.
This nano tetra is a tough fish, able to survive and even thrive in many different water parameters, which contribute to it being a great beginner fish. They are typically found in slow-moving tributaries of the amazon river, and the water is stained with tannins from the fallen leaves and branches. However, these fish do not need water that is acidic and soft, especially after having been bred for generations in Europe, being selected for their long fins. The most important thing is to keep your water clean, with a filter which is ready to handle any waste, and doing regular water changes and maintenance. You will want to ensure that your aquarium does not have too much flow for these fish, as their fins are much bulkier and heavier than their standard fin counterparts, and as such swim much slower. They are about 2 inches long currently, with a decent part of that being the tail length, but you can expect them to not grow too much when they hit your aquarium.
This is a peaceful tetra that does not get very large, and so a peaceful community tank is definitely an option with these little guys. However, do not keep them with anything too quick, as they might get outcompeted for food, and their fins are also in more danger of rips, which can sometimes cause secondary infection as well. A species only aquarium might be a good choice for these fish as well, as this different body type is very interesting to watch all on its own. These shoaling fish do NOT ship individually bagged.
Please Note: Live Animals delivered with UPS Next Day Air are 100% covered by our Dead-On-Arrival Guarantee Coverage as disclosed in our Terms & Conditions. Live Animals delivered with USPS are not covered by our Dead-On-Arrival Guarantee Coverage. For complete details, please read our Terms & Conditions prior to ordering.
