Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Black Neon Tetra is a very recognized and popular fish for the community aquarium. Found in the Rio Paraguay basin of southern Brazil, Black neon tetra prefer minor tributaries, headwater rivers, oxbows, and seasonal floodplains. All Black neon tetra available within the aquarium trade are commerically produced, however, so wild specimens are no longer collected. These aquacultured specimens are very hardy, already being acclimated to artificial environments. The Black neon tetra has a slender body shape that is predominately black, with a silver-white stripe that runs horizontally along the fish’s body and a bright orange half circle above each eye. Less mature specimens, or ones that are not as comfortable in their environment, will appear more dull. While Black neon tetra look similar to the true Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), these two fish are not closely-related at all; Black neon tetra are in a different genus, Hyphessobrycon, which makes them more closely-related to Ember Tetra (H. amandae), Black Phantom Tetra (H. megalopterus), and Bleeding Heart Tetra (H. erythrostigma) to name a few. Black neon tetras are natural shoaling fish, thriving and showing their best coloration with at least 6 individuals but more are encouraged. An adult Black neon tetra can reach a size of approximately 1-1/2″.

Diet Requirements: Black neon tetra are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 5 to 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Black neon tetra. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger shoal. Black neon tetra are one of our listed “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium. The aquarium does not need to be aquascaped with anything in particular to keep a shoal of Black neon tetra happy, but a finer dark substrate, driftwood, plants (live are preferred) and other natural-looking arrangements will bring out the beauty of this tetra. Black neon tetra form loose hierarchies, and it is not uncommon to see a pair of males flared up at each other trying to get the attention of females. Given their more timid demeanor, Black neon tetra will do best in a calmer community aquarium, and at the very least should be mixed with other peaceful and similar-sized tetra species. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 4-8, pH 5.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1” to 1-1/4″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.