Is it common for Neon Tetras to die easily?

paytheplayer

I was just curious, I just recently set up a 120 gallon community tank. I already have a bunch of fish in there, including 2 neon tetras (Started at 4, 2 died in 2 days).

When I had my 20 gallon community set up, I bought 3, and 2 died after 4 days.

Nothing else in my tank has been dying (knock on wood), so I was just wondering if this is common for neons or not. I feed the tank tropical flake food, and shrimp.

Pasfur

Neons are relatively hardy if given the right environment. They do like a heavily decorated tank and do best in very large groups which make them feel secure from more active fish.

One common problem with Neons is shipping. It is not uncommon for an LFS to loose 25% or more of its Neon shipment within the first few days. The reason for this is that nearly all Neons sold in the trade are wild caught fish. Very few are actually breed and raised in captivity. Wild caught fish experience great trauma in the shipping process and often arrive at the distributor in very poor health.

For better success, i recommend that you never buy Neons from the LFS unless they have been in the shop for a minimum of 3 days, and preferably for a week or longer.

JouteiMike

Agreeing with Pasfur's post, I suggest if you decide to get more Neons, that you get a larger number 7-12+, this will enable them to feel more comfortable and be in their natural schooling formation. Otherwise they can be prone to stress which could significantly shorten their lives.

Tyyrlym

I can speak for their hardiness. I have a Neon Tetra in my tank that has survived a great deal of abuse, primarily a huge pH swing, that killed off other fish. He's kept trucking on through it all.

Pasfur

Without question, provided they ship well, Neons are a great beginner fish.