Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Creating the right environment
• Part 2 of 3: Introducing tetras for breeding
• Part 3 of 3: Caring for baby neon tetras
• Tips

Neon tetras are easy to grow, but the conditions have to be just right. Before you start growing neon tetras, you need to set up a special breeding tank, prepare the water and check the light cycle. You also need to know how to introduce the adult tetras to each other and how to care for the babies after they hatch.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Creating the right environment

1. Set up a breeding tank. You will need more than one tank to grow tetras, so buy one more if you don't have an extra tank yet. You can use a 30 by 20 by 20 cm tank to grow your tetras. You will use this tank to introduce a male and female tetra for mating, as well as a place to incubate the eggs and leg.
   • You can set up this aquarium similar to the normal aquarium. Just keep in mind that the water must be soft and have a specific temperature and acidity for cultivation to take place.
2. Prepare the water. When you grow neon tetras, the water in the aquarium should be kept at a temperature of about 25 degrees Celsius. The water should also be soft (low mineral content) and slightly acidic (with a pH of 5-6) for the tetras to thrive. This environment best mimics the natural environment of a neon tetra. If the water in the aquarium does not meet these requirements, you should do the following:
   • Install an aquarium thermometer to keep an eye on the water temperature
   • Test the pH of the water daily using pH test strips (available for purchase at pet stores)
   • Mix one part tap water with 3 parts reverse osmosis water to create soft water for the aquarium OR use fresh rainwater
3. Buy a corner filter for the aquarium. A filtration system can help remove faeces and bacteria from the tank, which will protect the health of your tetras. A filtration system can also remove bacteria from the aquarium to keep it looking its best. Corner filters are ideal for grow tanks because they are mild.
4. Place the aquarium in a location that receives little or no light. Tetras need a dark environment to thrive. Do not place the aquarium near a sunny window or any other place with a lot of light. Tetras do not need complete darkness, but they do need a place with little sunlight.
   • You can cover the back and sides of the tank with dark paper to block out excess light.

Part 2 of 3: Introducing tetras for breeding

1. Determine the sex of your tetras. It is not absolutely necessary to determine sex before you start breeding, as you can place multiple tetras in the tank, which will allow breeding to happen on its own. However, if you want to know the sex of your tetras, there are some differences between males and females that will help you tell them apart.
   • Female tetras are generally wider and thicker than male tetras.
   • Some breeders also say that males have a straight line and females a slant.
2. Place the adult tetras in the aquarium. Evening is the best time to place your tetras in the tank, so plan to place your adult tetras in the tank after the sun has set. Remember that the tetras you use for breeding must be at least 12 weeks old, otherwise breeding may not be possible.
   • Leave the fish in the tank for a day or two. Tetras should spawn in the aquarium after 1 or 2 days.
3. Adjust the circumstances if your neon tetras do not mate. If not pairing, check the pH and temperature of the water, soften the water and adjust the lighting if necessary. It may take some time and experimentation to get the conditions just the way for your tetras to mate.
   • Adjusting the softness of the water appears to spawn as it mimics rain. Try adding a large amount of soft water to the tank if your tetras have not spawned after a few days.
4. Remove the adult tetras from the tank. Fish eggs are small and difficult to see due to their translucent color, but you may be able to see them in the gravel or on the plants in your breeding tank. Once you see eggs in the tank, remove the adult tetras from the tank or they may eat the eggs.
5. Wait for the eggs to hatch. There may be about 60-130 eggs, but not all of them will hatch. After the eggs have been laid, it takes about 24 hours for them to hatch. You can expect about 40-50 baby tetras.
   • The baby tetras will look like tiny glass splinters swimming through the aquarium.

Part 3 of 3: Caring for baby neon tetras

1. Keep the paw in the dark. The baby tetras, also called paws, should be kept in the dark for 5 days after hatching. Baby tetras are sensitive and need a dark environment to thrive.
   • To keep the tank dark, you can cover the entire tank with dark paper or use a piece of cardboard to block out the light.
   • You can use a dimmed flashlight to view the aquarium from above while feeding, but always do this for a short time.
2. Feed the paw special foods. You cannot give the baby tetras the same food that the adults eat. They need special food intended for baby fish. This food should be marked as suitable for paw. Check at the pet store if you are unsure which foods are suitable for your baby tetras.
   • After a few days, you can also feed the babies small brine shrimp. You can buy these at pet stores.
3. Introduce the baby neon tetras to the adult neon tetras. After about 3 months, you can place the new neon tetras in the aquarium with the adult tetras. Try not to transfer them earlier, as this could cause them to be eaten, injured or teased by the adult fish.
   • Keep in mind that some of the tetras could die anyway. Baby fish are much more susceptible to illness and injury.
4. Limits the amount of tetras to 5 cm of fish per 3.5 liters of water. This is a general rule for aquariums, which can help you determine how many tetras you can keep in your tank together. Adult neon tetras are about 5 cm long, so you can determine how many neon tetras you can keep in the aquarium based on the liter capacity of your aquarium.
   • For example, if you have an aquarium with a capacity of 200 liters, you can keep about 25 neon tetras.
5. Find a good home for extra neon tetras. Since many tetras can result from one breeding attempt, you may have more tetras than you can accommodate. Ask friends if they would like to have some neon tetras. Make sure your friends have the right equipment and resources to care for the fish.
   • You can also try calling the local pet store to ask if they would be interested in buying some. Keep in mind that pet stores usually only pay 10-30 cents per neon tetra. So you won't make a lot of money unless you sell in large quantities.

Tips

• Before breeding, make sure the adult fish are healthy.
• Keep the aquarium tools clean to avoid transferring disease and bacteria to the leg.