Are you concerned about the food habits of your Neon Tetra fish? Well, Neon Tetras are not so selective when it comes to feeding them. So, do Neon Tetra eat goldfish flakes? And, what are some of the best Neon Tetras food?
This article lets you find the possible answer to your curiosities regarding Neon Tetra’s food. A basic difference between a Neon Tetra and Goldfish is that the former are tropical fish that survives in the warm water, while the latter, in cold water. Even though Neon Tetra and Goldfish have such differences in habitat, Neon Tetra can eat Goldfish Flakes.
Let us find us more about the topic!
Neon Tetras And Goldfish
Neon Tetras are a beautiful tropical pet fish with vibrant color. It’s a pure beauty for an eye to watch over a Neon Tetra on an aquarium. As a pet, you do need to feed them like any other fish. But a good side about Neon tetra is its an easy-going fish that is easy to feed.
So what about Goldfish? Since Goldfish have a strict diet for them, they cannot digest food which is not made for them. Thus, Goldfish flakes or pellets are excellent options. These goldfish flakes are made from Ground Brown Rice, Torula Dried Yeast, Feeding Oat Meal, Shrimp Meal, Soybean Oild, Algae Meal, Vitamin C, and many more. So, can the Neon Tetra eat Goldfish Flakes?
I have also written an article on Can Neon Tetra and Goldfish Live Together? – Are They Good Tank Mates, Or Not?
Can Neon Tetra Eat Goldfish Flakes?
A tropical fish like Neon Tetra is not hard to feed. Thus, they do eat the goldfish flakes. Generally, the goldfish flakes contain a high amount of vegetable content. Most of the goldfish food also contains more grains and vegetable material. This might be less protein-filled food for a Neon tetras which required a protein diet.
Yes, Neon Tetra can eat Goldfish Flakes. But do not make this food a permanent food for Neon Tetras. It can only be fed for a couple of days or so. As being a tropical fish, they need to be fed with tropical flake or pellets. But in the long run, it might harm your tropical fish due to the Goldflake fish consumption.
Does Neon Tetra Eat Vegetable?
Neon Tetra is omnivores fish. Thus, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, brine shrimp, they eat vegetables such as cucumber, pea, lettuce, spinach, etc as well. They even consume algae. But they need high protein in their food, so a certain amount of meat should be included in their diet.
Difference Between Tropical Flakes and Goldfish Flakes
Tropical fish flakes and Goldfish flakes vary in the nutrition they contain. Normally, Goldfish flakes are fed to goldfish that has plant matter more in their food. While in the tropical flakes, there is more meat nutrition in it. Thus, this means the tropical fish can consume the goldfish flakes but the goldfish can not digest the tropical flakes.
What Kind Of Food Does Neon Tetra Eat?
Generally, Neon tetras survive on pellets, fish flakes, granules, Tetra Color Bits, etc. Besides this, you can also feed them live foods and freeze-dried food as well. They are not so hard to feed. So, they can eat whatever that comes in from of them, even Goldfish Flakes.
List of live food for Neon Tetras:
- Brine Shrimp
- Micro worms
- Fruit Flies
- Mosquito Larvae
- Daphnia
- Insects
TetraMin Tropical Granules
Granules are bite-size morsels that sink slowly. This is quality food for a warm water tropical fish. It provides Neon Tetra Fish a balanced diet and also it’s a good source of Vitamin C. Furthermore, it a good community food. And, its slow sinking formula contains nutrients.
TetraMin Tropical Flakes
Flakes are the most popular fish food. The flakes for Tetra fish are formulated to make the water clean. TetraMin Tropical Flakes are good food for an omnivorous warm water fish including Neon Tetra. With lots of protein and vitamin in it, its a well balanced ideal food for Neon tetra.
API Tropical Pellets
Normally pellets are the floating food. But these API Tropical Pellets are the sinking pellets. For a Neon Tetra, it contains all the required balanced diet and other nutrients. Similarly, squid and shrimp, which are high protein nutrients, are also present in this food. This makes your Neon Tetras eat less and digest easily.
Omega One Freeze-Dried Tubifex
Freeze-dried tubifex worms are an excellent diet with high protein for your Neon Tetras. As they are frozen dried worms, it does not contain harmful bacteria or parasites. For a Neon Tetra, it does make a special mealtime snack. Apart from protein, it is also rich in vitamins and minerals.
Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms
Similar to the above Tubifex, it contains very high protein. It is a freeze-dried blood worm. Though they can not make a complete meal for Neon Tetra fish, it an excellent snack for them. Being a frozen dried worm, they are free from harmful bacteria as well.
How Often Do You Feed Neon Tetra?
A Neon Tetra eats whatever that comes in front of them and whenever they are given a chance. You can say them a tiny scavenger as well. It’s a tiny fish that should not be overfed. You need to take good care of the diet and their feeding amount. Generally, I recommend feeding Neon Tetras 2 times per day.
As I have been feeding them 2 times a day, I find my Neon Tetras are more healthy, active, and are excited to eat when I feed them. This also helps to reduce the waste that the fish emits.
You can read an article on Why Is My Neon Tetra Not Eating? – Here Is What You Can Do here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Goldfish Flakes Is Not a Complete Food For Neon Tetra?
First, every fish has its own special food that they serve on. Similarly, for goldfish, they have goldfish flakes. For Neon Tetra, they have their own tropical flakes and pellets. Neon Tetras do survive by eating goldfish flakes. But, it can not be their permanent food. The following are some reasons why goldfish flakes are not complete food for Neon Tetras.
- Goldfish flakes contain a high amount of veggies
- Neon Tetras require high protein food with meat
How Long Can Neon Tetra Last Without Food?
You might be surprised to know the fact that Neon Tetras can last around 5-6 days without food on an average. While some may even make up to 7-8 days. However, it would be best if you never tried looking for this. They must be fed daily. In absence of food for around 4 or 5 days, they will become ill. And, eventually, end up dying.
You can read more about “How Long Can Neon Tetras Live Without Food” here.
Conclusion
Now, you might have been clear about the Neon Tetra Fish and the food that best suits them. Along with that, Neon tetras are a tropical fish that survive in the warm water. They have hearty appetites that eat freeze-dried and flakes.
A goldfish is a saltwater fish or a coldwater fish. Though Neon tetras are a tropical fish, they do eat the goldfish flakes. In fact, they are comfortable with whatever food they are given. However, it would be best if you cared about their diet.
Though they can eat goldfish flakes, make sure that it’s not their regular diet, I also recommend you to feed your Neon Tetras as per required only.
