Neelix was born in the Delta Quadrant, on the Talaxian homeworld. Growing up on the Talax moon, Rinax tempatures would reach up to 80 degrees Celsius. After the Haakonian's destruction of Rinax, a Talaxian moon, Neelix's entire family was killed. After the war, Neelix left his home planet and became a scavenger and trader around the Delta Quadrant.
