Common name: neon tetra

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Weitzman and Fink (1983) revised the group, and provided distinguishing characteristics, a key, and photographs. Color photographs were provided by Géry (1977), Weitzman and Fink (1987), and Sakurai et al. (1993). Similar species include Paracheirodon simulans (green neon) and P. axelrodi (cardinal tetra).

Size: 4 cm.

Native Range: Tropical America. Upper Amazon basin of Peru, Colombia and Brazil.

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: The record is most likely the result of fish escapes from local fish farms that use the hot springs for culturing aquarium fish.

Status: Failed in Colorado.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: The hot springs area is at an altitude of 8,000 ft and has very cold winters, but Zuckerman (personal communication) suggested that some of the introduced species might spread downstream during warmer months and reach other thermal refugia. Specimen(s) were reportedly deposited with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Collins, Colorado; however, we have been unable to locate the material.

References: (click for full references)

Géry, J. 1977. Characoids of the world. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.

Weitzman, S. H., and W. L. Fink. 1987. Neon tetra relationships and phylogenetic systematics. Tropical Fish Hobbyist 1987(October):72-77.

Weitzman, S. H., and W. L. Fink. 1983. Relationships of the neon tetras, a group of South American freshwater fishes (Teleostei, Characidae) with comments on the phylogeny of New World characiforms. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 150(6):339-395.

Zuckerman, L. - Aquatic Ecologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt, KS.

Zuckerman, L. D., and R. J. Behnke. 1986. Introduced fishes in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Pages 435-452 in R. H. Stroud, editor. Fish culture in fisheries management. Proceedings of a symposium on the role of fish culture in fisheries management at Lake Ozark, MO, March 31-April 3, 1985. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.

Other Resources:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Paracheirodon innesi

Author: Nico, L.

Peer Review Date: 11/13/2003

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.