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 or more
- Lifespan
- About 5 years
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.
Black Neon Tetra care mistakes to avoid
- 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 setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 19 US gal (72 L), 80 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Black Neon Tetra. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Black Neon Tetra, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Black Neon Tetra's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Black Neon Tetra yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 68–82 °F (20–28 °C)
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.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator 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
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid 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
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
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.
SubstrateNo special substrate is required; sand with driftwood is suggested for a natural look.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorDriftwood roots, dried leaves or a heavily planted tank are suggested.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Black Neon Tetra
Stores that list it under the same scientific name as this page. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission. We have not bought from them, so check each store's own terms.
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link)
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.
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.
Black Neon Tetra facts and sources
- 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
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.