Variety of Neon tetra
Diamond neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
One of 3 varieties of Paracheirodon innesi · See all varieties →
Also known as Diamond Head Neon Tetra
FreshwaterFish
Varieties · Paracheirodon innesi
See all 3 →
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 70–77°F
- 21–25°C
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.5 in
- 3.8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 11 gal
- 40 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Very common
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
Shops list these as Diamond Head or Blue Diamond, and the marker is a reflective patch over the head and nape. The patch sits between the eyes and the dorsal fin, while the blue stripe and red rear half stay put. Coverage varies between batches and the effect depends on viewing angle, so a fish that looks plain in a shop tank often is not.
In the wild
A selected strain of the neon that does not occur in the wild. Seriously Fish counts diamond, in which the dorsal surface is covered in reflective scales, among the established neon strains. No breeder, country or decade is on record for the line, and sellers such as Aquatic Arts describe it only as tank-bred.
Good to know
The shine is iridophores, pigment cells packed with reflecting platelets, spread across the top of the body. That is the same cell type behind the neon's blue stripe, so the patch flares and dims as the fish turns. Selection here is for coverage rather than for a new color.
Did you know
A neon's blue stripe is structural color, made by light bouncing off stacked platelets inside cells rather than by a blue pigment. The diamond strain extends that same trick over the head and back, which is why the patch flashes rather than glowing steadily.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Diamond neon tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Wandering snail
Ampullaceana balthica
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)50–84°F (10–29°C)
Dwarf lizard loach
Neohomaloptera johorensis
Freshwater1 in (2.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Dubois' panchax
Epiplatys duboisi
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Dracula fish
Danionella dracula
Freshwater0.7 in (1.7 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Mango loach
Physoschistura mango
Freshwater1 in (2.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Paska's blue-eye
Pseudomugil paskai
Freshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
Is a Diamond neon tetra a different species from the Neon tetra?
No. A Diamond neon tetra is a variety of the Neon tetra, Paracheirodon innesi, and it wants the same tank, water and food as the species.
What size tank does a Diamond neon tetra need?
A Diamond neon tetra needs at least 11 gal (40 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
How big does a Diamond neon tetra get?
An adult Diamond neon tetra reaches about 1.5 in (3.8 cm).
Does a Diamond neon tetra need a group?
Yes. A Diamond neon tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–84°F (23–29°C)Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
1 in (2.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)Green neon tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
1 in (2.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Eschwartzae tetra
Hyphessobrycon eschwartzae
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Peugeot's tetra
Hyphessobrycon peugeoti
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Procyon tetra
Hyphessobrycon procyon
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
- 1.5 in (3.8 cm)15 gal (55 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Piabinhas tetra
Hyphessobrycon piabinhas
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)