Neon tetras are freshwater fish species that thrive in rivers free from chlorine, which can cause health issues in your fish. But unprocessed tap water holds chlorine that can cause major damage to your fish. So, will your tetras be able to survive in tap water? Let us find out.
Neon tetras cannot thrive in untreated tap water as it holds chlorine that can damage your fish’s gills. Tap water has heavy metals that can weaken your tetra’s immune system. Consider using offset tap water that does not hold chlorine-based disinfectants and other harmful chemicals.
The article below discusses the cons of untreated tap water for your neon tetras. In addition, we will also learn to prepare suitable tap water for your tetras.
Contents
Can I use tap water for my neon tetras?
You can use processed tap water for your neon tetras as it is free from all the harmful chemicals like chlorine that can lead to severe health issues in your fish.
Unprocessed tap water holds chemicals like chloramine and chlorine that can damage the gills of your neon tetras, eventually making them weak and prone to several diseases and parasites.
Consider always treating your tap water with a water conditioner to ensure the good health of your neon tetras.
Why is untreated tap water harmful to your neon tetras?
Chlorine and chloramine in the tap water can cause severe damage to your neon tetras.
The presence of chlorine and chloramine in tap water can lead to severe health issues in your neon tetras.
Chlorine makes the water safe for us by eliminating water-borne bacteria like E-Coli and disinfecting the water in the public water system.
But chlorine can be very harmful to your neon tetras as it can damage their gills, weakening them and making them prone to several diseases and parasites.
In addition, untreated tap water also holds other harmful chemicals like chloramine that can lead to significant health issues in your neon tetras.
Therefore, we advise you to treat your tap water with a water conditioner before adding it directly to your neon tetras tank to ensure your fish’s well-being.
Chlorinated water can eliminate the good bacteria from the tank.
Untreated tap water eliminates the good bacteria from the tank that helps to convert the ammonia into nitrate, making it safe for your tetras.
A lack of good bacteria in the tank can lead to a spike in ammonia levels, eventually making your neon tetras suffer from ammonia poisoning.
Heavy metals in tap water can cause severe health issues in your neon tetras.
Unprocessed tap water contains many harmful metals like cadmium, zinc, and mercury that can cause severe damage to your neon tetras.
A high content of heavy metals in the tap water can lead to pathological changes in your neon tetras, eventually weakening them and making them prone to several diseases and parasites.
How long can your neon tetras survive in tap water?
Unprocessed tap water can lead to severe health issues in your neon tetras, eventually making them pass within 24 hours.
Untreated tap water holds many toxic chemicals like chlorine, zinc, and chloramine, leading to several health issues in your neon tetras and making them pass away eventually.
Consider treating the untreated tap water with a water conditioner before adding it to your neon tetras tank to ensure your fish’s well-being and a longer lifespan.
How to prepare suitable tap water for your neon tetras?
Here are the ways to prepare suitable tap water for your neon tetras
Water Conditioner
You should always treat untreated tap water with a water conditioner to eliminate harmful chemicals like zinc, chlorine, and chloramine from the tap water.
We advise you to use the correct type of water conditioner as some of them are only helpful in eliminating chlorine.
A water conditioner that only helps to eliminate chlorine will offset chlorine but will leave the other harmful chemicals behind.
Consider using a water conditioner that helps eliminate chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the water.
So, we advise you to choose a water conditioner that eliminates chlorine and other harmful chemicals from the tap water.
You can use an API tap water conditioner as it eliminates the harmful chemicals from the water.
You can buy it from Amazon API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.
Pre-treated or filtered water
You can use pre-treated or filtered water as it is readily available in pet stores and also comes free from all the harmful chemicals that can cause severe health issues in your fish.
However, pre-treated water is more expensive than water conditioner, not making it an ideal option for your neon tetras.
So, we advise you to use a water conditioner as it is more affordable and helps to remove all the harmful chemicals from the tap water.
Consider using water conditioner in a moderate quantity as excessive water conditioner can bind the oxygen level leading to a drop in the tank’s oxygen level, eventually making your fish suffocate and pass away.
Can neon tetras live without a filter in their tank?
Your neon tetras cannot live for an extended period without a water filter in their tank.
A water filter helps to eliminate all harmful chemicals like ammonia that can lead to severe health issues like ammonia poisoning in your neon tetras.
In addition, not adding a water filter to the tank can also contaminate the water rapidly, leading to a drop in the aquarium’s oxygen level.
Lack of oxygen in the tank can make your neon tetras suffocate and pass away eventually.
Consider purchasing a Fluval High-Performance water filter for your neon tetras tank, as it removes all the toxins from the water, maintaining the tank’s water quality.
It is available on Amazon  Fluval High-Performance Aquarium Filter.
Also, read: Do Neon Tetras Need A Filter?
Conclusion:
- Consider using processed tap water for your tetras as it is free from all the harmful chemicals like chlorine that can lead to severe health issues in your fish.
- Untreated tap water holds several toxic chemicals like chloramine and chlorine that can damage the gills of your tetras, making them weak and prone to several diseases and parasites.
- Chlorine makes the water safe for us by removing water-borne bacteria like E-Coli and disinfecting the water in the public water system, but it can lead to severe health issues in your neon tetras.
- Untreated tap water can cause severe health issues in your neon tetras, eventually making them pass within 24 hours.
- Consider treating the untreated tap water with a water conditioner to remove harmful chemicals like zinc, chlorine, and chloramine from the tap water.
Reference: NCBI