Neon Rainbow 3cm

Neon Rainbow

The neon or dwarf praecox rainbow has easily got to be on the top 3 podiums of popular rainbow fish. They have a dazzling display of colours with bright, metallic blue scales, an active personality, and amazing temperament. The neon rainbow fish is often one of the first rainbow fish species that novice breeders will experience because of how easy this fish can be to breed. These are an ideal species to add to a mixed community aquarium to add a tonne of life and will look fantastic against plants.

The neon rainbow is a great addition for smaller aquariums as they only reach around 7 - 8 cm. Their name perfectly summarises their appearance as these fish have a silvery grey base colour with absolutely stunning bright blue scales. This sort of naturally occurring blue colouration is something that is seldom seen in the aquarium hobby without extensive line breeding. Under bright aquarium lighting, these scales act like mirrors making the fish almost glow. In contrast, these bright blue male neon rainbows, have blood red fins whereas females have a bright yellow. The neon rainbows also school really well even in smaller aquariums.

Neon Rainbows can be bred in the home aquarium quite commonly as once they reach maturity, females lay eggs on an almost daily basis. Aquarists often make spawning mops out of acrylic yarn and place these into the aquarium, the females will swim through the yard and lay a few eggs which the male will then fertilize. The eggs can then be collected and raised in a separate aquarium which makes for a great hands-on experience. 

Tank Recommendations for your Neon Rainbow

Neon Rainbows are also commonly known as dwarf neon rainbows because of how small they stay. Only reaching a maximum of 8 cm these fish can be kept in smaller aquariums with the minimum volume being the minimum volume of 70 liters. This ensures that they can be kept in a school with slight room for other tank mates.

The neon rainbow is totally planted safe and will not only love but also look great in a well-planted aquarium. They are mostly mid to top water-dwelling fish so the choice of substrate and aquarium hardscape is not a major concern. They are however excellent jumpers so a tight-fitting lid is a must for the aquarium. These are also tropical fish that are best kept at 24-26 degrees.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The neon rainbow fish is incredibly peaceful but due to their speed, they may potentially outcompete slow or bottom-dwelling tank mates. They can however be kept in a wide range of community aquarium settings and with other rainbow fish strains.

Usually Compatible

Other rainbow fish species, a range of tetra species such as lemon tetras, black widow tetras, and Congo tetras along with danio species as well. 

Sometimes Compatible

Corydoras, Apistogramma, angelfish, and other smaller or potentially slow-moving species. 

Rarely Compatible

Aggressive species which may prey on the neon rainbow or an incredibly small species such as shrimp which may be eaten by the rainbow fish 

Feeding your Neon Rainbow

Neon Rainbowfish will take to aquarium foods very easily. They will take a wide range of pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. Giving them a varied diet ensures that they have optimal nutrition. The ideal diet would be a good quality floating food, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or black worms or even live foods like baby brine shrimp or micro worms.