Are you keeping adorable tiny Neon Tetras? How many Neon Tetras do you have? Moreover, have you ever wondered what the life span of a Neon Tetra is?
If you want to know but have no information about it. GA Pet Sitters will give you a hand to solve the question: “What is the lifespan of a Neon Tetra?” Besides, you will get more knowledge and tips to help your Neon Tetras live longer. Let’s refer to this article and raise your fish well!
What’s The Lifespan Of The Average Neon Tetra?
One of the unique things you should know about Neon Tetra fish is that Neon Tetra fish can live longer than other aquarium fish types. More specifically, they can live five years longer than other fish.
If Neon Tetras live in a suitable environment and a good condition, they can live up to between 8 years and 10 years. On average, a wild Neon Tetra has a lifespan of about 8 years. However, their lifespan will be shorter if they live in an aquarium environment.
What Can Shorten The Lifespan Of A Neon Tetra?
Because living in the aquarium with an illustrated environment, the Neon Tetra cannot live as long as their average lifespan. To deal with this issue, you should understand the root of the problem and figure out the solution.
So, what are the reason that makes the lifespan of a Neon Tetra shortened? The Neon Tetra’s lifespan can shorten for several reasons and you should avoid them to save your fish’s lifespan.
Don’t Overcrowd Them
First of all, as you all know, Neon Tetra is a kind of school fish that originated from South America. They are so friendly that these fish can get along with other fish types very well.
Although they can live happily together, it is not a good idea to overcrowd them. Because if you do that, some bad situation will appear.
The problem is that they will be sick and face higher dangerous levels because of crowded density. Furthermore, they will die if they cannot suffer and are strong enough.
More importantly, it is good when removing a sick Neon Tetra and putting it in another environment. In case these fish cannot be alive and cured, they will spread illness to other fish in the aquarium.
In addition, you should pay attention to Neon Tetras which are down at the tank bottom with swollen bellies, they are sick and have the parasite. Hence, you should remove these fish from the fish tank.
Therefore, what is the right density of Neon Tetras in an aquarium? This should depend on the aquarium size. In general, you should keep a neon tetra fish per gallon.
Water Changes
People would like to keep these fish because of their ability to adapt to new environments. They can live nearly in any water condition and can get used to the strange environment very fast.
However, it doesn’t mean that they can adjust quickly to sudden water changes. Most fish are not good at it and Neon Tetras is not an exception. You should set up the new environment for them before letting them swim in the new habitat.
Predators
You should notice that Neon Tetras has tiny size, so you need to avoid putting them with larger fish types, especially carnivores, or aggressive fish such as bettas, angelfish, or cichlids. Most fish are stronger and larger than Neon Tetras.
Sunlight
Another factor that can affect Neon Tetra’s lifespan is the sunlight level. If the sunlight was too strong and lasts for a long time, which can influence algal growth in the water.
As a result, your fish can be ill. So, you should put the aquarium in fewer sunshine places and keeps it away from the windows.
View more:
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How Can You Improve Your Neon Tetras’ Lifespan?
We have just all understood the causes leading to the shortening of Neon Tetras’ lifespan. Hence, how can we protect our fish and increase their lifespan? Taking care of fish is not only in a day. From the beginning, you should protect them from disease. There are some solutions to solve the problems:
Acclimate Your Neon Tetra
Please keep in mind that you should not let them wait too long in the bag on the way from the pet store to your home. They will die if the process is over 8 hours because the ammonia level will increase. Hence, you should transport them home as soon as possible.
Moreover, you should not put Neon Tetras in the water directly. You had better acclimate them to the new environment before letting them swim happily in new fish tanks.
Start With A Clean Tank
It is important to start with a clean tank to protect your Neon Tetras and help them stay healthy. It is not right that you want to buy them and put them into water immediately.
Besides, it is necessary to prepare a habitat in the aquarium for them before buying it and bringing them home, which will help decrease impurities, bacteria, and parasites in the water.
Get The Right Water Temperature
Neon Tetras are so good at adapting to a new environment. However, they will live longer if the aquarium environment is the same as their wildlife. And one of the ways to help increase their lifespan is water temperature.
It is so beneficial if you can create a suitable temperature for them to thrive. Neon Tetras will live well under the temperature from 69 to 81 F (21 to 27 C). Moreover, if you do not have enough time to check the water temperature, you should buy a heater to ensure that the water temperature is usually stable.
Install A Filtration System
Moreover, you always care about the water quality and do not know how to control it. Let’s install a filter to help your aquarium be always clean and safe. So that, your Neon Tetra fish will be healthy and their lifespan will be longer.
Mimic Their Natural Habitat
As the same as humans, Neon Tetra fish can be also under depression and stress. Therefore, you had better create a copy of their natural habitat. You should place plants, rocks, and moss along the bottom of the aquarium.
Moreover, when there are plants underwater, it will help to improve water quality. This will help your Neon Tetraas play with and be more comfortable with the place where they are living.
Proper Diet
You need to feed Neon Tetras a proper diet, which will increase their lifespan. You should plan a schedule to feed them on time and the right amount. There are so many kinds of fish food such as pellets and flakes. Nevertheless, for Neon Tetras, it will be better if you feed them tropical fish food.
These are some food types that we want to recommend you to feed your Neon Tetras: daphnia, tubifex (sludge worm), drop blood worm, and brine shrimp.
Check And Maintain The Tank Conditions
As we mentioned before, you should check and maintain the tank condition for your Neon Tetras. They need the right degree like other tropical fish to thrive ( from 69 to 81 F (21 to 27 C)). Moreover, you also need to pay attention to the hygiene of the fish tank or you can use a filter to keep it clean.
Keep the Right Size and Quantity Of Neon Tetras: A Ideal School Of Neon Tetra
Of course, you cannot keep too many Neon Tetra in the same tiny tank. They will easily get stressed. According to the size of the fish tank, you should keep a neon tetra fish per gallon.
Provide a Good Lighting System
2 to 5 watts per gallon of water is the suitable lighting system for Neon Tetras in the aquarium. Moreover, you should keep the light for a limited time, about 12-14 hours per day.
Are Neon Tetras Hardy?
Neon Tetras are hardy fish, so you do not need to worry about their bravery. They can be able to live well in different water conditions. However, if the water can change unexpectedly, it is not good for their lifespan. Neon Tetras cannot handle sudden water changes.
How Easy Are Neon Tetras To Keep-Alive?
It is not difficult for you to keep Neon Tetras alive but it is not easy at the same time. The owners who want to increase Neon Tetras’ life span, should pay attention to the fish and fish tank of good quality. Hence, your Neon Tetras can live well, even over 5 years.
FAQ
How Long Do Neon Tetras Live In The Wild?
In the wild, like a Neon Tetra’s home, they can live up to 8 years on average. Or even they can live up to 10 years.
How Long Do Neon Tetras Live In Captivity?
If a Neon Tetra lives in captivity, its lifespan can decrease by 2 to 5 years. This happens because the owner did not create a suitable habitat for them. Thus, Neon Tetra fish cannot live longer than 5 years.
So, you should ensure that the aquariums are clean and fresh to help their lifespan increase. And your Neon Tatras will have an opportunity to live longer.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, when keeping the fish, it does not matter how many beautiful fish you can keep. But you need to be sure that you can help them to live healthily and happily.
Therefore, the environment will decide whether your fish can thrive well or not. You need to prepare for them in a suitable environment and it should be close to the natural wild habitat, which will give you a hand to increase the fish’s lifespan. Now you already knew the answer to the question: “What is the lifespan of a Neon Tetra”, did not you?
