Neon tetra fry need infusoria, green water, and microworms for the first 1-2 weeks. Then, transition to tiny portions of crushed flakes, frozen bloodworms, boiled vegetables, and hard-boiled egg yolks chopped finely. Reduce the feeding frequency from 4 to 2 as they grow.
Are Neon Tetras Omnivores?
Neon tetras are omnivores, meaning they eat plant and animal matter.
However, neon tetra fry have smaller mouths and cannot eat larger foods right away.
They need microscopic live foods at first. As they grow over several weeks, they transition to eating small pieces of frozen and dried foods.
Best First Foods for Neon Tetra Fry
For the first 1-2 weeks of life, neon tetra fry need infusoria and green water as their main food sources.
Infusoria are tiny microorganisms that live in aquarium water and can be harvested as a powder to feed to fry. Green water is algae that is easy for small fry to consume.
Microworms are another excellent first food for neon tetra fry. These tiny worms are full of protein and nutrients like astaxanthin to promote growth and health.
Newly hatched brine shrimp are also perfect for young neon tetras.
Feeding Fry After 2 Weeks
Once neon tetra fry reach 2 weeks old, they can eat similar foods as adult fish but in tiny portions.
These are some foods you can feed them:
- Crushed flake foods made for tropical fish
- Small pieces of frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, daphnia, or brine shrimp
- Finely chopped boiled lettuce or spinach leaves
- Boiled egg yolk chopped into tiny bits
- Crushed tropical fish pellets
- Boiled peas mashed into paste
- Boiled rice broken into small particles
Soaked freeze-dried fish food is easier for fry to eat than dry flakes. Avoid feeding fry foods with large pieces that could choke them.
Feeding Schedule for Fry
Neon tetra fry need to be fed frequently, about 2-4 times per day.
Feed only as much as they can consume in a few minutes, then siphon out any uneaten excess food. This helps keep the aquarium water clean.
As the fry grow, they can transition to 1 or 2 meals per day like adult fish. Target feeding times when fry are active and hungry.
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Conclusion: Growing Healthy Neon Tetras
With proper feeding and care, neon tetra fry can grow into beautiful, vibrant neon tetras to light up your aquarium.
Pay close attention to their eating and make adjustments as the fry mature.
Once they are free-swimming, the fry will need specially formulated powdered and live foods as covered in this article.
Be sure to separate the parents as neon tetras may eat their own young.
Before you know it, you’ll have a shoal of gorgeous fish ready to join the display tank!
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