The green neon tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America.
This fish is similar in appearance to the closely related and better-known neon tetra, but it is slightly smaller and its red patch is less pronounced, while the blue-green areas of the upper body are more brilliant. Also, its body is slimmer than that of the neon tetra. It grows to a maximum overall length of about 2.5 cm (1 in).
Like the other Paracheirodon species, the green neon tetra is kept as an aquarium fish, but it is less commonly seen than either the true neon tetra or the cardinal tetra.
P. simulans is also sometimes called the blue or false neon. Hyphessobrycon simulans and Cheirodon simulans are obsolete synonyms.
This fish loses its brilliant blue and red colors when lights are switched off in the dark, but regains it when lights are switched on again.
Read more about Green Neon Tetra: Water Conditions, Food, Breeding
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