Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Min Tank Size
60L
Adult Size
4 cm
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
About
Native to the Rio Taquari basin in the Mato Grosso region of Brazil, black neon tetras occupy slow-moving, darkly tinted blackwater streams and flooded forest areas. They're often lumped in with neon tetras by beginners, but they're a distinct species and not even closely related.
The coloration is more understated than a neon, but once you see a well-conditioned school under appropriate lighting, they're genuinely striking. A bold black horizontal stripe runs the length of the body, bordered above by a vivid iridescent white-to-greenish band, with a yellow-gold eye that catches the light.
Soft, slightly acidic water really makes their colors pop, though they'll do fine in a wider range than their wild habitat suggests. 5 is tolerable. They're not fussy eaters, accepting high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and small frozen or live foods like daphnia and baby brine shrimp. Small live or frozen items seem to sharpen their color noticeably over time.
They spend most of their time in the middle water column, usually moving around in a loose group. In a planted setup with darker substrate and some floating cover, they're among the more elegant options available to a community tank keeper. Pairs well with other small, non-aggressive fish that share similar water preferences.
Browsing real tank builds featuring black neon tetras is a good way to see just how different they look depending on lighting and backdrop choices.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
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Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Black Neon Tetra together
Black Neon Tetra are shoaling fish and need company of their own kind. Keep a group of at least 6. Smaller groups leave them stressed, washed-out in color, and prone to hiding.
Compatibility
Black neon tetras are a near-universal fit in community tanks with small to medium peaceful fish. They pair well with other small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, small plecos, dwarf gouramis, and bolivian rams. Avoid anything large enough to eat them, and skip tankmates with long flowing fins since those fish tend to attract other species and the black neons themselves could share tank space with habitual fin nippers that would stress them out. They're fine with adult dwarf shrimp like neocaridina and caridina, but very small shrimp fry may occasionally get eaten. In a 60-liter or larger planted tank they really shine as part of a mixed mid-level schooling community.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common beginner mistake is keeping too few, usually two or three purchased on impulse. Under six, they school poorly, hide constantly, and lose color. Water quality matters more than exact parameters here. They're tolerant of a range of pH and hardness but don't handle ammonia spikes or temperature swings well. Regular partial water changes are more important than chasing perfect chemistry. Feeding variety matters too. A flake-only diet keeps them alive but not thriving. Adding frozen daphnia or baby brine shrimp even once or twice a week makes a visible difference in coloration and behavior.
Behavior & Aggression
Black neon tetras are genuinely peaceful and don't have a meaningful aggressive streak in a community setting. You won't see them chasing tankmates, nipping fins, or defending territory. Conspecific squabbles are essentially nonexistent when kept in a proper school. The main thing to watch is stress-related behavior from being in too small a group or in an overstocked, chaotic tank. A crowded, stressful environment can cause them to scatter and hide rather than display any real aggression, but that's a welfare issue more than a temperament one.
Things to Know
- Keep in groups of 6+, smaller groups cause stress and washed-out color
- May eat very small shrimp fry, safe with adult dwarf shrimp
- Colors fade significantly under stress or bright light.
- A tight-fitting lid is recommended as they can jump.
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