Black neon tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
A peaceful tetra with a bright white-over-black stripe; hardier than the neon tetra and an easy fit in any calm community tank.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.4 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 23 gallons
- Group
- 8+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, frozen daphnia and brine shrimp
- Origin
- Upper Paraguay basin (Mato Grosso), Brazil
- Hardier than95%
- Bigger than12%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Black neon tetra tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Black neon tetra.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Black neon tetra.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Black neon tetra.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Black neon tetra.Risky
- Peacock cichlidMalawi butterfly peacock attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Black neon tetra.Risky
- Rainbow sharkRainbow shark attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Black neon tetra.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for black neon tetras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 3.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 1.15 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.25 BU
- Min. water
- 72 L net
- Min. footprint
- 80 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 8+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi · FishBase: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Care notes
Black neon tetras come from tributaries and floodplains of the upper Paraguay river in Mato Grosso. A thin bright line sits above a broad black band, and the school holds together in midwater.
Keep eight to ten in a 20 gallon tank or larger with a 31-inch footprint. They are very peaceful and more forgiving of water conditions than neon tetras, though fry and newborn shrimp will be eaten.
Questions
What size tank does a black neon tetra need?
At least 23 gallons (72 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.4 inches without fins.
How many black neon tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 8, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do black neon tetras need?
73–81 °F, pH 5.5–7.5 and 1–12 dGH. Black neon tetras come from Upper Paraguay basin (Mato Grosso), Brazil.
How long do black neon tetras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with black neon tetras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.