Product Details

Black Neon Tetra – Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

The Black Neon Tetra is a peaceful South American shoaling fish with a silver body, bold black lateral stripe and bright pale-white line above it. Despite the name, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi is not a colour form of the standard Neon Tetra, but a separate species with its own elegant, understated look. It is hardy, calm and well suited to mature planted community aquariums where a group can swim confidently through the middle levels.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Black Neon Tetra
Other Names: Black Neon, Black Neon Fish, Black Tetra
Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi is native to South America, especially the upper Rio Paraguai region of Brazil. In the wild, it is associated with forest streams, seasonal floodwaters, aquatic plants, waterlogged debris and habitats that may include clear or tannin-stained water.

In the aquarium, Black Neon Tetras do best in mature planted setups with clean water, open swimming space and shaded cover. Wood, leaf litter, floating plants and darker décor can help create a natural-looking environment and show off their pale stripe and dark body line.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Black Neon Tetras have a slim tetra body with a silvery to grey base colour. A strong black stripe runs along the flank, with a bright white, cream or pale greenish reflective line above it. The eye often shows subtle red or yellow colour, adding extra detail when the fish is settled.

Adults usually reach around 3.5–4.5 cm. Females are often fuller-bodied than males, especially when mature, while males are usually slimmer and slightly more streamlined.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent fish for peaceful community aquariums, planted displays and mixed tetra groups. Black Neon Tetras are generally hardy and adaptable once settled, making them a good choice for customers who want a peaceful shoaling tetra that is a little different from standard Neons or Cardinals.

They are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, predator communities, tiny unfiltered aquariums, very hard-water livebearer setups or tanks with large fish that may swallow them.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums of 75–90 litres or more are preferred for bigger shoals and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. Larger groups are more confident, show better colour and create a more natural display.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 23–28°C
pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Black Neon Tetras are adaptable if water quality is stable, but they should only be added to mature aquariums. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness. They show especially well in planted aquariums with shaded areas, clean water and low stress.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Black Neon Tetras are peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids with care, honey gouramis and other calm community species.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous fish that may intimidate or outcompete them. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as group life is important for confidence and natural behaviour.

Feeding:

Black Neon Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets or small soft granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm.

A varied diet helps maintain body condition, activity and strong contrast in the lateral stripe. Feed small portions that are eaten quickly, as they are midwater feeders and usually respond readily at feeding time.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims through the middle and upper levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal through plants and open water. It is peaceful, active without being frantic, and rarely causes problems in suitable communities.

Black Neon Tetras are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.

Care Notes:

Add Black Neon Tetras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide plants, shaded areas and open swimming space. Maintain regular water changes and stable water quality, and avoid rough or aggressive tank mates.

This species can look pale after transport or in bright bare tanks, but settled fish usually show a strong black flank stripe and bright upper line once they are in a calm planted aquarium with a good-sized group.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Usually captive-bred or farmed

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, stripe intensity, body tone, eye colour and markings can occur between individual fish.