Skip to content
Starting Checklist
- Air filter or sponge filter, prevents fry from being sucked into filtration
- One male and one female neon tetra, at least 12 weeks old
- 10+ gallon tank
- Peat soil/peat moss, to lower PH. Clean dried oak leaves may work as well
- Aquarium heater, if temperature is unstable
- Egg-laying platform: java moss, leafy plants, spawning mop
- Fry food
Breeding Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| pH | 5-6 |
| Temperature | 24°C/75°F to 26 °C /78°F |
| Hardness | Soft Water |
Schedule
Preparation
- Sex the tetras and select a breeding pair.
- Feed them high protein food for about a week to encourage egg prodcution.
Day 1-2
- Place the tank in a dark or low-light environment.
- Introduce the breeding pair into the tank in the evening.
- Do not use filter. A filter will suck up eggs and the newly hatched fry.
- Gradually increase light in the morning. Use only a dim light maximum.
Day 3-4
- Remove adult tetras from the tank, and look for eggs. The eggs will hatch in about 24 hours.
- Keep the tank dark for the first 48 hours for the eggs to hatch.
- Introduce aquarium heater.
Day 5-6
- Feed the fry with fry food. You may use infusoria, egg yolk, or commercial fry food.
- Do not change the water in the spawning tank during the first week. Gradually change the water back to typical aquarium parameters.
- The fry will develop color at about four weeks, and typically will be large enough to sell at 12 weeks.
References / Further Reading
Click to Copy
