The longfin neon tetra is a new strain of freshwater aquarium fish which is unwelcome in our fish store. If we had to put together a list of freshwater fish species that least needed tampering with, the neon tetra would of been near the top of that list. Sure diamond /diamond head neon tetras are kind of neat, replacing some of the blue with a blue spot at the head. Albino neon tetras are a curiosity but we see no redeeming qualities in the longfin neon tetra. The flowing finnage of the longfin neon tetra hampers their neat schooling behavior and it obscures the outline of their nice classic fishy body shape. Furthermore, the longfin neon tetras we spotted at InterZoo may have been somewhat stressed out but they were showing some mighty muted coloration. Both the blue and red colors seemed to have been bred out of the fish when on the quest to lengthen their fins. We don’t know if the longfin neon tetra strain will every become widespread but we’ll definitely pass.