Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Also known as Black Neon
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A hardy, very peaceful tetra with a silver stripe above a deep black band. It is more forgiving than its colorful neon cousins and looks striking over dark sand with driftwood roots. A sensible first schooling fish for a calm, planted beginner community.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 31 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–82 °F
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 8 fish
- Lifespan
- About 5 years
Black Neon Tetra care mistakes to avoid
The mistakes beginners most often make with this species.
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 8 fish so they feel secure.
- Pick calm tank mates. Very boisterous fish will keep the school hiding.
- Use dim light or floating plants. Bright, bare tanks wash out their colors.
- Feed a varied diet, because a single flake food will not keep their best condition.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Black Neon Tetra tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Poecilia reticulata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Trichogaster chuna
Trichogaster lalius
Trichopodus leerii
Trichopsis pumila
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Black Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Crossocheilus oblongus
Siamese Algae Eater is much larger than Black Neon Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Black Neon Tetra.
Pseudomugil furcatus
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Carassius auratus
Goldfish suit cooler water and are not suited to tropical tanks, so Black Neon Tetra is a poor match.
Black Neon Tetra feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed small flakes or pellets as the staple.
- Add live or frozen bloodworm and daphnia a few times a week.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Mature females are noticeably deeper in the body and a little larger than males.
Plants that suit it
Species facts
- Family
- Characidae
- Native to
- Paraguay basin, South America
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Black Neon Tetra FAQ
What size tank do Black Neon Tetras need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (72 liters), with a footprint of 80 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Black Neon Tetras should I keep?
Keep at least 8 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Black Neon Tetras?
Good matches on our list include Fancy Guppy, Platy and Honey Gourami. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Swordtail.
How long do Black Neon Tetras live?
Care guides report about 5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Are black neon tetras a type of neon tetra?
No. They are a separate species from a different genus, despite the name. They tend to be hardier than true neons.
Where to buy Black Neon Tetra
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. We earn nothing from these links. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
We have not found a store that sells Black Neon Tetra under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 19 US gallons (72 L), 80 x 30 cm footprint
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.