Neon Tetra vs Red Drum
Paracheirodon innesi compared with Sciaenops ocellatus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Neon Tetra | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paracheirodon innesi | Sciaenops ocellatus |
| Order | Characiformes | Perciformes |
| Family | Characidae | Sciaenidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Neon Tetra | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 3.0 cm | 155.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 0.001 kg | 45.0 kg |
| Color | Electric iridescent blue-green stripe from eye to adipose fin; vivid red stripe from mid-body to tail base; back olive-brown; belly silvery-white; all fins transparent and colorless. | Coppery-bronze to reddish-orange flanks with a characteristic black eyespot at the upper tail base; back is darker bronze-olive; belly pale to silvery; fins match body tone with dusky margins. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Neon Tetra | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Depth Range | — | 10-?m |
| Geographic Range | Native to blackwater tributaries of the upper Amazon River basin in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Inhabits slow, acidic, tannin-stained streams and flooded forest areas in … | Western North Atlantic from Massachusetts south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Adults favor open nearshore reefs and coastal surf zones while juveniles inhabit … |
| Habitat | Warm, soft-water rivers and streams of the upper Amazon and Perú in South America. Prefers slow-moving blackwater with dense vegetation (pH 5.5-7.5, 20-26°C). Dense schooling … | Estuaries |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Neon Tetra | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 40 L | — |
| Temperature | 20-26 | — |
| pH Range | 6.0-7.0 | — |
| Care Level | Easy | — |
| Temperament | Peaceful | — |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Neon Tetra | Red Drum |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | No | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 7/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Neon Tetra
Not consumed — ornamental aquarium species kept for its vivid iridescent stripe and peaceful schooling behavior.
Red Drum
Firm, white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and moderate fat; smaller fish (under 27 inches) are the best table size. Famous as 'blackened redfish' — a Louisiana Cajun culinary classic.
Species Overview
Neon Tetra
The neon tetra is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish, known for its iridescent blue and red horizontal stripes. Native to blackwater streams of the Amazon basin, it thrives in schools of six or more.
Red Drum
The red drum, or redfish, is an iconic inshore game fish of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Identified by the distinctive black spot at the base of its tail, it feeds by tipping head-down in shallow water, exposing its copper-colored tail.