5 Best Foods For Neon Tetras in 2022: Reviews & Top Picks

Neon Tetras are some very beautiful fish no doubt. They are fun to have in your home simply because they look so stunning. Just like any other pet you may have, Neon Tetras need to eat. So, what is the best food for Neon Tetras?

A Quick Comparison of our Favorites

	Image	Product	Details
		TetraMin Tropical Granules	Lots of Vitamin C Can be used in community tanks Well-balanced ingredients	CHECK PRICE
		TetraMin Tropical Flakes	For a well-balanced diet Ideal for omnivorous warm water fish Good floating flake option	CHECK PRICE
		API Tropical Pellets	Pure protein Helps fish produce less waste Good for digestion	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best Foods for Neon Tetras – Reviews 2022

Let’s talk about some of the best food options for your Neon Tetra. Here is a small list of options that you can consider.

1. TetraMin Tropical Granules

This is a good option to go with no doubt. These are simple little granules, kind of like very small pellets for small fish such as Neon Tetras.

This food is ideal for warm water tropical fish and can actually be used for a community tank. It is also great as Betta fish food. Moreover, this food provides your Neon Tetras with a well-balanced diet, with lots of vitamin C.

2. TetraMin Tropical Flakes

This food is very similar to the granules discussed above, except these are flakes, not granules. The flakes float near the surface, as opposed to the granules that sink to the bottom much quicker.

These tropical flakes are ideal for most omnivorous warm water fish such as Neon Tetras and Betta fish. This food will provide your Neon Tetras with a well-balanced diet included lots of protein and vitamins.

3. API TROPICAL PELLETS Sinking Pellets Fish Food

These pellets are sinking pellets, which means that they do quickly sink to the bottom of the tank. This food contains all of the necessary nutrients for a well-balanced diet and a healthy Neon Tetra.

It even includes some high quality proteins such as squid and shrimp. This stuff is specially made to help your fish eat less, digest food better, and thus create less waste for you to clean up.

4. Omega One Freeze Dried Tubifex

Tubifex are a great way to go for any fish, especially Neon Tetras. Tubifex worms are pure protein, so you will have to feed your fish some other foods to meet the Neon Tetras’ omnivorous dietary needs.

However, these freeze dried worms definitely make for a good occasional snack or special mealtime. The fact that they are freeze dried means that they do not contain any harmful bacteria.

5. Omega One Freeze Dried Blood Worms

These worms are very similar to the Tubifex worms discussed above. They are freeze-dried blood worms that are very high in protein. They are not a complete meal, but they make for a good snack no doubt.

Once again, the fact that they are freeze-dried means that they are safe to eat for all fish.

How Often Should You Feed A Neon Tetra?

In the wild, Neon Tetras are scavengers and ultimate opportunists, meaning that they will eat whenever they are given the chance. That being said, you should not overfeed them.

Your best bet is to feed your Neon Tetras three times per day. Each time, you should not feed them any more than they can eat in a 2 or 3 minute timespan.

How To Feed Neon Tetras

here is a short video on feeding neon tetras the correct way;

If you are introducing Neon Tetras to a new tank with an existing community of fish, then it’s a good idea to divide the food into two portions, put one portion in one corner of the tank and the other portion in the other corner.

Another good option is to just put the food like flakes for example in the filter outflow so the food gets distributed across the tank and avoids one of certain fish eating the share of the food.

As we mentioned above, in terms of neon tetra food you can use most compatible flakes, pellets or even freeze-dried foods as they really are not too picky.

What Do Neon Tetras Eat?

Thankfully, Neon Tetras are pretty easy-going fish and they are not too finicky when it comes to eating either. These guys are omnivores and will eat mostly anything that will fit into their mouths (this is our top pick). This does make feeding time pretty simple and straightforward.

Neon Tetra Diet

In the wild Neon Tetras eat many different things. They eat lots of insects and insect larvae. They like to eat brine shrimp, daphnia, blood worms, microscopic animals, and even small fish eggs too.

Neon Tetras will also eat a variety of plant matter, fruits, and veggies. Now, they may have a hard time coming by some of those things in their natural habitat, but that is not to say that they wouldn’t eat them when given the chance.

What To Feed Neon Tetras?

Generally speaking, micro-pellets (pellets for small fish) or fish flakes will do just fine for your Neon Tetra at home, but you can also go with some live foods and freeze dried options too.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can Neon Tetras Eat Betta Food?

Yes, generally speaking a neon tetra can eat betta fish food no problem. You might not want to make it an everyday occurrence, but every now and then won’t hurt.

Now it is probably best to feed your neon tetra their neon tetra fish food, but if you have a community fish tank, such as with a betta fish, this might not always happen. Neon tetras are known for being quite curious and they love to eat a variety of foods.

Often, if you go to feed your betta fish their food, neon tetras will eat it. This really is not a problem because both of these fish have similar diets, they are both carnivores, and have similar dietary requirements.

How Long Can Neon Tetras Go Without Food?

Neon Tetras can live for 5 or 6 days without food. Some may be able to make it for 7 or 8 days without feed, but this really is danger close.

These fish should be fed daily, will become ill after 4 or 5 days without food, and by the time a week is up, they will be absolutely starving.

Do Neon Tetras Eat Bloodworms?

Yes, neon tetra fish will eat bloodworms. In fact, this is one of their favorite snacks to eat.

You can provide them with live blood worms if you choose, although it’s usually best to provide them with the freeze dried alternative.

Freeze dried foods, that were once live, should be rid of mostly all bacteria, parasites, and other invaders which can cause harm or create illness in your neon tetra.

Conclusion

Simply make sure that you feed your Neon Tetras the right amount of food and that you don’t over-feed them. As long as you stick with everything we have talked about here, your Neon Tetras will be as happy and healthy as ever. You might also like our temperature guide here.

Featured Image Credit: Kristiana Berzina, Shutterstock