FishChecker

The Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is a captivating and peaceful freshwater fish, highly valued in the aquarium hobby for its striking appearance and active schooling behavior. Unlike its more vibrant cousin, the Neon Tetra, the Black Neon Tetra showcases a sophisticated elegance with a horizontal black stripe running from its gill plate to the caudal fin, beautifully contrasted by a shimmering white to silver stripe directly above it. Their bodies are generally a translucent gray or olive green, and they possess a small, almost ethereal quality. Reaching an adult size of about 1.5 inches (4 cm), they are perfect for smaller community aquariums but truly thrive in groups of six or more in tanks of at least 10 gallons. These omnivores are undemanding in terms of diet, readily accepting high-quality flake foods, micro-pellets, and occasional live or frozen treats like daphnia or bloodworms. Black Neon Tetras prefer dimly lit tanks with dense planting, driftwood, and dark substrate, which not only enhance their colors but also provide security. They are excellent candidates for a well-maintained planted tank, thriving in soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.0-7.5) with temperatures between 72-78°F (22-26°C). Their calm demeanor makes them ideal tankmates for other small, peaceful species such as other tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and corydoras catfish. They are a resilient and relatively easy-to-care-for species, making them a fantastic choice for both novice and experienced aquarists looking to add a touch of understated beauty and lively schooling action to their setups.