▷ Socialization of neons in the aquarium

Discus and Red Neon

Many discus books recommend neon or red neon as companion fish for discus. However, temperatures of 19° and higher, at which discus are often kept, are too high for neon. The neons have a higher metabolism than at temperatures around 24°, which are suitable for them. The service life of the neon can be greatly reduced as a result.

Firemouth Cichlids and Red Neons

If firemouth cichlids and red tetras grow up together in an aquarium, socialization might be possible. If large firemouth cichlids are placed with neons, the neons will be eaten.

Glass Catfish and Red Neon

Glass catfish are usually very peaceful fish. However, glass catfish sometimes prey on a young brood. Small neons can therefore definitely be eaten. From a body length of approx. 3 centimeters, the neons are usually not eaten.

clown loaches and red neon

© Mirko Rosenau Fotolia.com

The experiences with the socialization of clown loaches with red neon tetras are different. While the animals live together without any problems with some owners, the neons are hunted by the clown loaches with other owners. This behavior has abated, according to one report, after the loaches were given burrows to hide in.
Possibly the loaches were annoyed by the neons darting around and didn’t get enough rest. The caves then provided much more rest for the loaches.
While clown loaches do not normally behave aggressively against non-species fish, except for other loaches, they are real brawlers with other keepers against peaceful fish.

Perhaps the behavior is misunderstood. Clown loaches are playful and maybe their hunt is just out of curiosity. With such a large size difference as between neon and clown loaches, the small neon can also be injured.

When eating, it is reported, for example, that clown loaches accidentally sucked out one of Neon’s eyes while greedily sucking on a food tablet because the neons were in the way. Therefore, when feeding, a food tablet should be placed in the aquarium first. While the loaches pounce on the tablet, the neons can safely be fed with other food, such as flake food or granulated food.

Angelfish and Red Neon

© mikhailg – Fotolia.com

The socialization of red neon and angelfish is risky. If the scalars aren’t that big and the neons aren’t too small, socialization can work.

But at the latest fully grown angelfish often eat neons.

It is therefore recommended to place angelfish and red neon juveniles in the same aquarium.

But even that is no guarantee. Again and again it is reported that the angelfish get a taste for it and eat the neons, although both species grew up together.

If you really want to try to keep scalars and red neon together, you should definitely pay attention to the following points:

Sumatran mullet and red neon

There are reports of Sumatran barbs chasing and killing red tetras. However, Sumatran barbs are very playful and also hunt other fish playfully. This can easily lead to suspicion of the barbel in the case of fatalities, although the fish may have died for other reasons, such as illness.

It is not advisable to socialize if there is no alternative tank available and the species therefore cannot be separated.

Dwarf Cichlids and Red Neon

Apistogramma nijsseni, dwarf panda cichlids, can be kept together with red tetras. Apistogramma cacatuoides can also be socialized with red tetras. Both species are not interested in Red Neons. Red tetras are too large for most dwarf cichlids to eat. However, dwarf cichlids will eat anything that fits in their mouths. Neons that are too small to fit in the mouth of the cichlids should therefore not be placed with the dwarf cichlids.