Neon tetra

Paracheirodon

Neon tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) Details

Paracheirodon axelrodi is a small, freshwater fish native to the Amazon River basin. It has a bright red body with a blue-green head and tail, and can reach up to 2.5 cm in length. It prefers slow-moving, heavily-vegetated waters and is typically found in shallow streams and ponds. Its lifespan is up to 5 years, and its current population is stable.

Name Origin: Paracheirodon axelrodi is a species of freshwater fish native to South America. It was first described in the scientific literature in 1956 by German ichthyologist Herbert R. Axelrod. The genus name Paracheirodon is derived from the Greek words para (near) and cheiro (hand), referring to the fish's small size, and the species name axelrodi honors Axelrod for his work in describing the species.

Related Species: Paracheirodon innesi, Paracheirodon simulans

Paracheirodon axelrodi scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Fish

Order: Fish

Family: Characidae

Genus: Characidae

Species: Fish

Understanding the Neon tetra habitat

Paracheirodon axelrodi lives in the Amazon River basin in South America. They prefer slow-moving, clear water with plenty of vegetation and a neutral pH. They are found in shallow areas with sandy or muddy bottoms, and they often hide among the roots of plants. The unique features of their habitat include plenty of sunlight, plenty of oxygen, and a temperature range of 22-28°C. Other animals that share their habitat include tetras, cichlids, and catfish.

Native country: Colombia, Venezuela

Native continent: They are native to South America, mainly in the Amazon River basin.

Other organisms found in habitat: Characidae, Anostomidae, Loricariidae, Corydoradinae, Auchenipteridae, Pimelodidae, Algae, Plants, Insects, Worms

Physical characteristics of the Paracheirodon axelrodi

Appearance Summary: Paracheirodon axelrodi is a small, freshwater fish that is native to the Amazon River basin. It has a bright red and blue coloration, with the red coloration being more prominent on the sides and the blue coloration being more prominent on the back. Its fins are transparent and its eyes are red. It has a long, slender body and a pointed snout. It is a peaceful fish that prefers to live in schools and is an omnivore, feeding on small invertebrates, algae, and plant matter.

Facial description: Paracheirodon axelrodi has a small, slender body with a pointed snout and a large eye. Its body is a bright red color with a blue-green iridescent sheen. The fins are transparent and the tail fin is forked. The dorsal fin is short and rounded. The caudal fin is slightly pointed.

What are the distinct features of Neon tetra? Colorful, small, schooling, peaceful, omnivorous, up to 2 cm in length, red and blue stripes, no vocalizations, social behavior, shoaling, prefers acidic water, slow-moving, timid

What makes them unique?

Neon tetra body color description: The most common colors of Paracheirodon axelrodi are neon blue and red.

skin type: The Paracheirodon axelrodi has a smooth, glossy exterior with a metallic sheen. Its scales are small and delicate, giving it a shimmering, iridescent appearance.

Strengths: Adaptability, Resilience, Ability to Reproduce Quickly, Ability to Withstand Temperature Changes, Ability to Withstand Low Oxygen Levels

Weaknesses: Susceptible to water quality changes, low tolerance to temperature fluctuations, sensitive to medications and chemicals, limited availability of food sources

Common Neon tetra behavior

Paracheirodon axelrodi behavior summary: Paracheirodon axelrodi, commonly known as the cardinal tetra, is a small, peaceful fish that lives in the Amazon River basin. It is a schooling fish, meaning it prefers to live in groups of its own species. It is an omnivore, meaning it feeds on both plant and animal matter. It is a weak swimmer, so it prefers to hide among plants and driftwood in the water. It is also known to use its fins to fight off predators. It is an important part of the Amazonian ecosystem, as it helps to keep the water clean by eating algae and other debris.

How do they defend themselves? Paracheirodon axelrodi, commonly known as the cardinal tetra, is a species of freshwater fish native to South America. It has a number of defense mechanisms to protect itself from predators. Its bright colors act as a warning to potential predators, while its small size and quick swimming ability allow it to evade capture. It also has a tough outer layer of scales that can help protect it from physical attacks.

How do Neon tetra respond to stimuli in their environment? Visual Signals, Chemical Signals, Auditory Signals

How do Neon tetra gather food? Paracheirodon axelrodi, commonly known as the cardinal tetra, is a small freshwater fish that feeds on small insects, larvae, and other small organisms. It typically hunts by swimming around in search of food, using its sensitive eyesight to detect potential prey. To survive, it needs a clean and well-oxygenated environment with plenty of vegetation and hiding places. Challenges it may face while searching for food include competition from other fish, predators, and changes in water temperature or quality.

How do Neon tetra communicate in their environment? They use a variety of methods to communicate with other organisms, such as visual cues, chemical signals, and sound. They also use their fins to interact with other fish, such as by displaying their colors or by swimming in a certain pattern. They also use their sense of smell to detect the presence of other fish in the area.

Examples: They use color to communicate, they use sound to communicate, they use body language to communicate

How does the Neon tetra get territorial? Defend territory, Mark territory, Chase intruders, FALSE

Diet and Predators

Diet Summary: Paracheirodon axelrodi primarily feed on small crustaceans, insect larvae, and zooplankton. Commonly consumed foods include brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and blackworms. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include processed foods, such as flakes and pellets, as well as live feeder fish.

Predators: Paracheirodon axelrodi, commonly known as the cardinal tetra, is threatened by a variety of predators, environmental changes, and negative impacts to its population growth. These include predation from larger fish, changes in water temperature, pH, and oxygen levels, and the introduction of invasive species. All of these factors can lead to a decrease in the population of Paracheirodon axelrodi, making it important to monitor and protect this species.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Disease, Predation by Larger Fish, Competition for Food

Life cycle & population of the Paracheirodon axelrodi & Fish

Life cycle: Paracheirodon axelrodi reproduces by laying eggs in small batches. The eggs hatch after about three days and the fry remain in the same area as the adults. As they grow, they move to deeper waters. The fry reach sexual maturity at about two months of age. They can live up to five years in the wild.

Average offspring size: 2.5 - 3.5 cm

Most common health issues: Respiratory Infections, Fungal Infections, Parasitic Infections, Bacterial Infections, Skin Irritations, Fin Rot, Dropsy

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Overfishing, Disease, Predation by Larger Fish, Competition for Food

Common diseases that threaten the Neon tetra population: Fin Rot, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Columnaris Disease, Oodinium, Trichodina, Chilodonella, Costia, White Spot Disease

Population: Paracheirodon axelrodi's population has been steadily increasing since 2010, reaching its peak in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, the population has remained relatively stable. Prior to 2010, the population had been decreasing since 2000, with the lowest population recorded in 2009.

Neon tetra Environment

How do Neon tetra adapt to their environment Paracheirodon axelrodi, commonly known as the cardinal tetra, is a species of tropical freshwater fish that is native to the Amazon River basin in South America. It has adapted to its environment by developing a bright red and blue coloration that helps it blend in with the dark, murky waters of its native habitat. This camouflage helps the fish to avoid predators and find food more easily. Additionally, the cardinal tetra has adapted to its environment by developing a diet that consists mainly of small insects, larvae, and other small organisms that are found in its native habitat. This adaptation helps the fish to survive in its environment and thrive.

What's their social structure? Paracheirodon axelrodi is a small fish that lives in the Amazon River basin. They are omnivores, meaning they feed on both plants and animals, and are usually found near the bottom of the food chain. They live in large schools and interact with their family or species by forming a social hierarchy. The hierarchy is based on size, with the larger fish dominating the smaller ones. They also use their size to protect themselves from predators, as the larger fish form a wall around the smaller ones.

How would you describe their survival instincts? They have a strong instinct to survive, responding to stimuli in their environment by seeking out food sources and avoiding predators. They are able to detect changes in light, temperature, and water flow, and use these cues to find food and shelter. They also have a strong sense of smell, which helps them to detect food and potential predators.