Why Is My Neon Tetra Not Growing? (Complete Information)

Neon tetras are tropical fishes that can grow up to 1.5 inches in captivity. Your neon tetras not growing is a matter of concern that requires your attention for your fish’s well-being.

So, why is my neon tetra not growing? Let us find out.

Contaminated water in the tank is the primary reason behind your neon tetra not growing. Other reasons like stress, genetics and low-grade food, can also affect the growth of neon tetras. Consider maintaining good water conditions and a stress-free environment in the tank to make tetra grow faster.

The article below discusses all the reasons behind your neon tetra not growing. In addition, we will also learn the ways to make your fish grow faster.

My neon tetra is not growing

Neon tetras are freshwater fish species that can grow up to 2 inches in the wild.

But when placed in an artificial environment, they can grow up to a maximum size of 1.5 inches.

Several reasons, like poor water conditions, low-grade diet and an overcrowded tank, can play a significant role in your neon tetra not growing.

We recommend you take all the measures discussed in the article below if you discover such an issue in your fish.

What are the reasons behind my neon tetra not growing?

Here are the reasons behind your neon tetras not growing

  1. Poor water conditions in the tank
  2. Inadequate water parameters
  3. Overcrowding your fish tank
  4. Feeding poor quality diet to your fish
  5. Stress in your tetras
  6. Genetics

Poor water conditions in the tank

Poor water conditions in the tank are the primary reason behind your neon tetra not growing.

Lousy water conditions in the tank can lead to severe health issues like loss of appetite and stress in your fish, eventually weakening them and affecting their growth and development.

In addition, contaminated water in the tank can also lead to a spike in the tank’s ammonia and nitrite levels, making your neon tetra suffer from ammonia poisoning.

Inadequate water parameters

Inadequate water parameters can also be a reason behind your neon tetras not growing.

Despite being hardy fish species, a sudden change in the tank’s water temperature can lead to severe health issues like stress in your fish, eventually affecting their growth and development.

Overcrowding your fish tank

Overcrowding your neon tetra tank can also affect the growth of your fish.

Neon tetras are active swimmers that require a good size tank to grow and develop properly.

Placing your neon tetras in an overcrowded tank will not provide enough space to swim, leading to severe stress in your fish, eventually affecting their growth and development.

In addition, the overcrowded tank will get contaminated faster, leading to a drop in the tank’s oxygen level and making your fish gasp for air at the water’s surface.

Feeding poor quality diet to your fish

Providing a poor-quality diet to your neon tetras can also be a reason behind your fish not growing.

Neon tetras are omnivorous fish species that require a high-quality diet mix of green veggies and red meat for proper growth and development.

Feeding a poor-quality diet can weaken your fish’s immune system and lead to several health issues like loss of appetite, constipation and stress in your fish, eventually affecting its growth.

Stress in your neon tetras

Stress can also be a reason behind your neon tetras not growing. Stress in your fish can lead to several health issues affecting their growth and development.

Here are the factors that can lead to stress in your neon tetras.

  1. Poor water conditions and parameters can make your neon tetras suffer from stress.
  2. Feeding a low-quality diet can stress your neon tetras.
  3. Pairing your tetras with incompatible tankmates can cause stress.
  4. Lack of space in the tank can lead to stress in your neon tetras.
  5. Overfeeding your neon tetras can lead to stress in your fish.

The above are some factors that can cause stress in your neon tetras.

Therefore, excessive stress can also lead to the passing away of your fish.

To learn about the signs of stress in your neon tetras, you can read my article on 10 Signs Of Stress In Neon Tetras

Genetics

Genetics can also be a reason behind your neon tetras not growing. 

Even if you provide your tetra with high-grade food and ideal living conditions, your fish will not grow in such a case.

Therefore, your neon tetra not growing due to genetics is natural, and you can do nothing about that.

How can you make your neon tetra grow faster?

Here are the ways to make your neon tetra grow faster

  1. Provide ideal water conditions and parameters in the tank
  2. Feed high-grade food to your fish.
  3. Provide ample space in your fish tank.
  4. Maintain a stress-free environment in your neon tetra tank.

Provide ideal water conditions and parameters in the tank.

You should provide ideal water conditions in your neon tetras to make your neon tetra grow faster and ensure your fish’s well-being.

You can maintain your tank’s water condition by performing a 30% weekly water change and adding a sound filtration system.

Consider treating your tap water with a water conditioner as it helps to eliminate all the harmful chemicals from the tap water.

To learn more about the benefits of a water conditioner for your neon tetras, read my article Do Neon Tetras Need Water Conditioners?

In addition, you should also keep eyeing the tank’s water parameters, as inadequate water parameters can lead to severe health issues in your neon tetras, eventually affecting the growth of your fish.

Here are the ideal water parameters for your neon tetras

ParticularsNeon Tetras
Water Temperature72-76°F
Ph6.0-7.0
Ammonia0ppm
Nitrite0ppm
NitrateBelow 20ppm
The above table demonstrates the ideal water parameters for neon tetras.

Provide high-grade food to your fish

You should provide high-grade food to your neon tetras to make your fish grow faster and to ensure their adequate growth and development.

Feeding low-grade food can lead to severe health issues in your tetras, eventually affecting the growth of your fish.

Below are the ideal dietary needs of your neon tetras

Neon Tetras Dietary NeedsServing AmountNo.of timesLink to purchase
Brine ShrimpOne pinch1-2 times a weekHIKARI BRINE SHRIMP CUBES
Tubifex WormsOne pinch1 time a weekHIKARI FREEZE DRIED TUBIFEX WORMS
Mosquito Larvae12-15 pieces2-3 times a weekFeed Live
BloodwormsOne pinch1-2 times a weekHIKARI FREEZE DRIED BLOODWORMS
Veggie PelletsOne pinch2 times a dayHIKARI SINKING FISH FOOD
Blanched Veggies ( Cucumber, Zucchini)One slice2-3 times a weekFeed Fresh
The above table demonstrates the ideal dietary needs of neon tetras.

Therefore, you should always feed your neon tetras in a moderate quantity, as moderation is key to a healthy lifestyle.

You should never overfeed nor underfeed your fish as it affects your fish’s growth and make them suffer from several health issues.

Consider providing the amount your neon tetra can consume in under two minutes to avoid overfeeding and underfeeding your fish.

Also, read: Why Are My Neon Tetras Not Eating?

Provide ample space in your fish tank

You should provide ample space in your neon tetras tank to make your fish grow faster.

Lack of space in the tank can affect your fish’s growth and also make them suffer from excessive stress.

Following the one-inch one-gallon rule, you can maintain ample space in your neon tetra tank.

The one-inch-one-gallon rule refers to one gallon of water per inch of your neon tetras.

Maintain a stress-free environment in the tank

You should maintain a stress-free environment in your neon tetra tank to make your fish grow faster and ensure their well-being.

A stressful environment in the tank can lead to severe health issues in your neon tetras, eventually affecting the growth of your fish.

Below are the ways to maintain a stress-free environment in your fish tank.

  1. Ensure good water conditions and parameters in your fish tank.
  2. Provide ample space in your neon tetra tank.
  3. Avoid overfeeding and pairing your fish with incompatible tank mates.
  4. Provide lots of hiding spots in your fish tank.
  5. Place your neon tetra in adequate schools.

The above are some ways to maintain a stress-free environment in your neon tetras tank.

Conclusion:

  1. Neon tetras can grow up to a size of 1.5 inches in captivity.
  2. Poor water conditions, a low-grade diet and an overcrowded tank can play a significant role in your neon tetra not growing.
  3. Your neon tetras not growing due to genetics is natural and does not indicate any health issues in your fish.
  4. You can make your neon tetra grow faster by providing good water conditions and high-grade food to your fish.

Reference: ResearchGate

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