Neon tetras are freshwater fish species that make your tank look attractive. They can thrive for 2-3 years in captivity. But, if you notice your fish dying in a short period is a matter of concern as it points out several significant issues in the tank.
So, why are my neon tetras dying? Let us find out.
Poor water conditions in the tank are the root cause behind your neon tetras dying. Other factors like aggressive tankmates, inadequate water parameters, and overfeeding can also make your neon tetra die. Perform regular water changes and ideal water parameters to prevent such issues.
The below article discusses the signs, reasons, and prevention behind your neon tetras dying.
Contents
Why is my neon tetra dying?
Poor water conditions, overcrowded tanks, and irregular food supply can be why your neon tetras are dying.
However, other factors like aggressive tankmates, overfeeding, and poor water parameters can also make your neon tetras die.
Despite being hardy fish species, a sudden change in the water temperature can lead to excessive stress in your tetras, eventually making them pass away.
Your neon shows many symptoms like hiding and avoiding food when they are about to die.
Consider providing suitable water parameters, high-quality food, and a stress-free environment in the tank to prevent such issues.
10 signs of a dying neon tetra?
Here are the 10 symptoms of a dying neon tetra
- Your neon tetras not eating for an extended period indicates several diseases and high-level stress that can lead to their passing away.
- Despite being active fishes, seeing your neon tetras not moving indicates health issues like swim bladder disorder, constipation, and stress that can make your tetras die.
- Injured or damaged fins of your neon tetras indicate fin rot in your fish. If not treated in the early stages, it can damage the fins of your tetras and lead to several other health issues, eventually making them die.
- If you discover your neon tetra getting fat and bloated, it is a sign of overfeeding or infection that can make your fish suffer from the life-threatening condition and die.
- If you discover red patches in your neon tetras body, it indicates ammonia poisoning in your fish. If not treated early, it can burn your tetra’s skin and eventually make them die.
- If you see any physical injuries in your neon tetras, they have been hit by sharp objects, or the aggressive tankmates have attacked your fish. Physical injuries can further weaken your tetra’s immune system making them weak and pass away.
- If you discover your neon tetras swimming slowly, it indicates stress in your tetras. Excessive stress can further make your neon tetras die.
- If you discover your neon tetras finding it hard to maintain buoyancy, it indicates swim bladder disorder in your fish that can further lead to excessive stress and make them die.
- If you notice your neon tetras developing cloudy eyes, it indicates physical injury or infection in your tetras that can lead to severe health issues, eventually making them die.
- Your neon tetras gasping at the tank’s water surface indicates a lack of oxygen in the tank that will eventually make your fish suffocate and die.
The above are some signs shown by dying neon tetras.
What are the reasons behind your dying neon tetras?
Below are the reasons behind your neon tetras dying
- Inadequate water conditions
- Poor water parameters
- Illness
- Overfeeding
- Aggressive tankmates
- Overcrowded tank
Inadequate water conditions
Inadequate water conditions in the tank can cause your neon tetras to die.
Poor water conditions in the tank can spike the tank’s ammonia level, eventually making your tetra suffer from health issues like ammonia poisoning and pass away.
Lousy water conditions in the tank can also degrade the tank’s oxygen making your neon tetra suffocate and die.
In addition, poor water conditions in the tank can also lead to loss of appetite and other health issues in your tetras, eventually making them weak and prone to several diseases and parasites.
Also, read: Why Are My Neon Tetras Not Eating?
Poor water parameters
Poor water parameters in the tank can also make your neon tetras die. Despite being hardy fishes, a sudden change in the water temperature can shock your fish, eventually making them suffer from high-level stress and pass away.
In addition, lousy water parameters in your neon tetras tank can lead to several other diseases, eventually weakening your tetra’s immune system and making them pass away.
Illness
Several illnesses can make your neon tetras die. Diseases like ich and fin rot can make your neon tetras die.
Inadequate water conditions in the tank are the root cause behind such health issues in your neon tetras.
Consider providing immediate medical treatment to your neon tetras if you discover them suffering from such health issues.
Overfeeding
Overfeeding can also lead to the passing away of your neon tetras. Excessive feeding your fish can make them constipated and lead to several health problems like loss of appetite, eventually making them pass away.
In addition, overfeeding your neon tetras can also lead to excessive stress in your fish, eventually weakening them and making them prone to several diseases and parasites.
Also, read: How Often To Feed Neon Tetras?
Aggressive tankmates
Placing your neon tetras with aggressive tankmates can also make your fish die.
Aggressive tankmates like betta fish can cause severe physical injuries to your neon tetras.
In addition, adding aggressive tankmates can also lead to extreme stress in your fish, making them weak and eventually pass away.
Overcrowded tank
Placing your neon tetras in an overcrowded tank can also lead to the passing away of your fish.
Neon tetras are schooling fishes that require a good-size tank for adequate growth and development.
An overcrowded tank can stunt your tetras’ growth and make them suffer from extreme stress.
Extreme stress further can also lead to the passing away of your fish.
The above were some reasons behind your neon tetras dying.
How can you stop your neon tetras from dying?
Below are the ways to stop your neon tetras from dying
- Provide good water conditions
- Maintain adequate water parameters
- Pair your neon tetras with compatible tankmates
- Do not overfeed your neon tetras.
- Avoid overcrowding your neon tetras.
- Maintain a stress-free environment in the tank
Provide good water conditions
You should provide good water conditions in the tank to stop your neon tetras from dying, as inadequate water conditions are the root of several health issues in your tetras.
Perform a 30% weekly water change and add a sound filtration system to maintain the tank’s water quality and provide a stress-free environment to your neon tetras.
We recommend using Fluval High-Performance Aquarium as it helps to eliminate harmful bacteria.
You can buy it from Amazon Fluval High Performance Aquarium Filter.
Also, read: Can Neon Tetras Live In Tap Water?
Maintain adequate water parameters
You should maintain adequate water parameters in your neon tetras tank as it can lead to severe stress and other health issues, eventually making them pass away.
Below are the ideal water parameters for your neon tetras
| Particulars | Neon Tetras |
|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 72-76°F |
| Ph Level | 6.0-7.0 |
| Ammonia Level | 0ppm |
| Nitrite Level | 0ppm |
| Nitrate Level | Below 20ppm |
Keep eyeing upon the tank’s ammonia and nitrite level as excessive ammonia in the tank can cause ammonia poisoning in your fish, eventually making them suffer from ammonia burns and pass away.
We recommend using the freshwater master test kit to regularly check your tank’s ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH level.
You can buy it from amazon: API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT.
Pair your neon tetras with compatible tankmates
You should pair your neon tetras with compatible tankmates to stop your fish from dying and to ensure their well-being.
Pairing your neon tetras with aggressive fish species can lead to several physical injuries to your fish, eventually making them pass away.
Below are some compatible tank mates for your neon tetras
- Guppy fish
- Zebra danios
- Dwarf Gourami
Do not overfeed your neon tetras.
You should avoid overfeeding your neon tetras as it can make your fish suffer from severe health issues like loss of appetite and constipation and pass away eventually.
Consider providing the amount your neon tetras can consume in under two minutes to avoid overfeeding and underfeeding.
In addition, you should also provide high-quality, nutritious food to your neon tetras to ensure your fish’s proper growth and development.
| Neon Tetras Dietary Needs | Serving Amount | No.of times |
|---|---|---|
| Brine Shrimp | One small pinch | 1-2 times a week |
| Daphnia | One small pinch | 1-2 times a week |
| Mosquito Larvae | 12-15 pieces | 2-3 times a week |
| Bloodworms | One small pinch | 1-2 times a week |
| Veggie Pellets | One small pinch | 2 times a day |
| Blanched Veggies ( Cucumber, Zucchini) | One small slice | 2-3 times a week |
Avoid overcrowding your neon tetras
You should avoid overcrowding your neon tetras tank as it can lead to excessive stress in your fish and make them pass away.
We advise you to provide one gallon of water per inch of your fish to maintain ample space in your neon tetras tank.
The average size of neon tetras is between 1-1.5 inches. So, you will require at least a 10-gallon tank to house one school of neon tetras.
Also, read: How Many Neon Tetras In A 10 Gallon Tank?
Maintain a stress-free enviroment in your neon tetras tank
You should maintain a stress-free environment in your neon tetras tank to prevent your fish from dying.
Below are the ways to maintain a stress-free environment in your neon tetras tank
- Provide good water condition in your neon tetra tank
- Maintain ideal water parameters
- Avoid overfeeding your fish
- Avoid overstocking your neon tetras tank
- Provide high-quality nutritional food to your neon tetras
- Pair your neon tetras with compatible tankmates
Also, read: 10 Signs Of Stress In Neon Tetras
Conclusion:
- Poor water conditions, overcrowded tanks, and irregular food supply can be why your neon tetras are dying.
- Other factors like aggressive tankmates, overfeeding, and poor water parameters can also make your neon tetras die.
- Your neon tetras show various signs, like not moving, refusing to eat food, or gasping at the tank’s water surface when they are about to die.
- You can stop your neon tetras from dying by providing good water conditions, ideal water parameters, and a stress-free environment in the tank.
- Always provide good housing conditions in your neon tetras tank to ensure the adequate development of your fish.
Reference: NCBI