Neon Tetra: The Queen of Tropical Fish - Lifespan, Market Price per Jin, Why They Die Easily, and Aquatic Plants?
The neon tetra, also known as the red-green tetra, neon tetra, red-light fish, and fluorescent-light fish, is a freshwater ornamental fish that likes to eat live water fleas. It is very popular among fish keepers because of its good looks. So how long is the lifespan of the neon tetra? What is the market price per jin? Why do they die easily? What aquatic plants should be placed to raise them well?
How long is the lifespan?
The normal lifespan of the neon tetra is 1-2 years, so when raising neon tetras, what to feed them so they stay healthy has become a question many fish keepers care about. In fact, when raising neon tetras, besides paying attention to feed selection, issues such as the raising environment also require special attention.
Latest market price:
This depends on the size of the fish and the quantity purchased. The normal price is 0.3-1.0 yuan, though prices vary from place to place. For the specific price, you should inquire at your local market.
Reasons they die easily:
1. Unsuitable water quality
Neon tetras have relatively high requirements for water quality. Only weakly acidic soft water suits them, with a pH of 5.0-7.0. The water in the tank is best if it is aged water; it must be water that has been left to stand for 7 days. When changing the water, change only a small amount, and do not change water frequently in large amounts, otherwise the fish can easily become stressed. Change the water once every 7 days, about 30% each time, and be careful that the temperature difference does not exceed 2 degrees when changing water. The water quality should be stable, and the water temperature should not fluctuate too much.
2. Whether the stocking density is too high:
It is recommended to keep 1 cm of fish per 1 liter of water. Under these conditions, no additional oxygen is needed. If your stocking density is very high, even with added oxygen, fish deaths are still likely.
3. Whether there is contagious fish disease:
Neon tetras like to live in water with high oxygen content. If the water in the fish tank is not changed for a long time, the fish feces will ferment, causing changes in the water's pH concentration. If the nitrite content in the water is too high, it will cause the neon tetras to become ill and die. So usually pay attention to observing the fish's body surface and gills for any foreign matter. Check whether the fins are complete and whether the fish eats normally. Neon tetras are relatively prone to white spot disease and water mold. If similar symptoms are found on the body surface, the sick fish should be isolated and treated, and you can buy corresponding treatment medication from an aquarium store. Usually you can also add some mineral salt to the water, then use nitrifying bacteria solution for sterilization and disinfection, which can prevent neon tetras from getting sick.
4. Whether the external environment is too noisy:
Neon tetras do not particularly like places with too strong light, and they usually prefer quiet. So when raising them, do not place the fish tank next to a TV, computer, or other noisy places.
5. Whether the fish chosen for mixed keeping are suitable:
Neon tetras are small in size, timid by nature, and gentle, and are very easily attacked and killed by other large fish. So when choosing other fish for mixed keeping, do not choose aggressive fish such as the oscar, tiger barb, bichir, and convict cichlid. It is best to choose some gentle fish, such as: kissing gourami, Corydoras catfish, moonfish, and so on.
6. Whether the water temperature meets the requirements:
Neon tetras also have relatively high temperature requirements. The suitable temperature is around 25 degrees. Below 20 degrees, they will stop eating and die.
Friendly reminder:
Neon tetras like to move about in dark places with plenty of aquatic plants. You can keep some aquatic plants in the tank and place some driftwood and the like. Aquatic plants are experts at purifying water quality. Keeping some shrimp can also help eat the dirty matter formed by fish feces and reduce the probability of neon tetras getting sick. In addition, it is best to keep the filter running 24 hours a day. Without a filter, it is relatively difficult to successfully keep neon tetras.
Aquatic plants that can be placed:
Long-leaf nine-crown:
Long-leaf nine-crown is a common aquatic plant that is easy to grow and does not have very high light requirements. The long-leaf nine-crown has an elegant posture and is relatively suitable for cultivation in medium and large aquarium tanks.
Red-spotted crown:
The red-spotted crown grows up to 100 cm tall, with oval leaves 25 cm long, and is suitable for planting in aquariums 45-50 cm deep.
Weird fern moss:
Weird fern moss is a submerged aquatic plant that grows relatively slowly. It likes to grow on driftwood or rocks and can grow normally even under weak light. It is very suitable as a hiding place for shrimp and small fish.
Green chrysanthemum grass:
Green chrysanthemum grass is suitable for planting in the middle and background of the aquarium. Even if the lighting is a bit dim, it does not matter and it can still grow normally. It likes to live in weakly acidic soft water, with a water temperature between 22-28 degrees C, and is very suitable for planting in aquariums 45-50 cm tall.
Small water orchid:
Small water orchid is a perennial marsh or aquatic herbaceous plant, 3-10 cm long and 2-7 cm wide, with strong adaptability, and is suitable for planting in aquariums.
Dwarf pearl:
Dwarf pearl grows less than 1 cm tall, with green creeping tender branches bearing short root structures. Its symmetrically growing spoon-shaped leaves are 0.8 cm long and 0.3 cm wide, with relatively blunt leaf tips and slightly serrated edges. The leaf stalks are almost as long as the leaves. It can grow very densely, like a green meadow, and is a foreground plant with very strong decorative value.