Description

The Albino Neon Tetra is a captive-bred colour variation of the popular standard Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). It is sought after by aquarists for its unique colouration which offers a striking contrast to the vibrant red and blue of the wild-type fish.

There are a few albino or semi-albino varieties related to the classic Neon Tetra and its close relatives:

Albino Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi):

Appearance: They typically have a white, transparent, or creamy yellow body due to a lack of dark pigmentation (melanin).

Eyes: A key characteristic of albinism is having red or pink eyes.

Stripe: The iconic iridescent stripe along the lateral line is still present but appears as a bright white or very pale blue instead of the intense neon blue. The red stripe of the standard neon is typically absent or very faint.

Care and Considerations
The care requirements for the Albino Neon Tetra are very similar to the standard Neon Tetra, but with a few extra considerations due to their albinism:

Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish.
Schooling: Must be kept in groups of at least 6 or more to reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.
Tank Size: Minimum of 40 liters (10 gallons) for a small school.
Water Temperature: 2226C
pH Level 5.57.0 (prefers slightly acidic water).
Diet Omnivorous. Feed a varied diet of high-quality flakes/micro-pellets, supplemented with small live or frozen foods (e.g., brine shrimp, daphnia).
Tank Setup Subdued Lighting: Albino fish can be more sensitive to bright light due to their red eyes. Provide ample shaded areas with live plants (like Java Moss, Anubias) and driftwood.
Substrate A dark substrate (like dark gravel or aqua soil) is often recommended to help their pale coloration “pop” and to help reduce their stress.
Compatibility Excellent for peaceful community tanks with other small, non-aggressive fish (e.g., other small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras catfish).