Black Neon Tetra Care Guide
The Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is a hardy, peaceful schooling fish that's a favorite for community aquariums. Despite the name, it isn't a true neon tetra — it sports a sleek silver body with a bold black-and-white horizontal stripe and a glowing greenish-gold line above it. Easy to care for and striking in a group, it's an excellent choice for beginners and experienced keepers alike. Here's how to keep them thriving.
Overview at a glance
- Common name: Black Neon Tetra
- Origin: Paraguay basin, South America
- Adult size: Around 1.5 inches
- Temperament: Peaceful, schooling
- Experience level: Beginner
Tank size and schooling
Black Neon Tetras are active schoolers and should be kept in a group of at least six, though larger groups look and behave better. A school of this size is comfortable in a 10- to 20-gallon tank, with more room welcome as you add tank mates. Keeping them in proper numbers reduces stress and brings out their natural, confident behavior. For more on small schooling fish, see our tetra care basics guide.
Water parameters
Black Neon Tetras are adaptable but do best in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. Aim for a temperature in the roughly 72–80°F range and a pH generally between about 5.5 and 7.5. They're hardy, but like all fish they need stable, clean water with ammonia and nitrite at zero. Make sure your tank is fully cycled before adding them — our nitrogen cycle guide explains how, and a good test kit makes monitoring easy. For dialing in stable pH, see our pH guide for beginners.
Temperament and tank mates
Black Neon Tetras are peaceful and get along well with other calm community fish. They make excellent tank mates for other small tetras, rasboras, peaceful livebearers, corydoras, and dwarf shrimp once the shrimp are adult-sized. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may eat or harass them, and avoid fin-nippers. Because they're so easygoing, they're a great pick for a beginner community — see our list of best fish for beginner aquariums for more compatible options.
Diet
Black Neon Tetras are easy-to-feed omnivores. A quality flake or micro-pellet works well as a staple, supplemented with small frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms for variety and color. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, only what they finish in a couple of minutes. For help choosing a staple, see our guide to community tank food.
Aquascape and setup
These tetras show their best color in a planted tank with darker substrate, driftwood, and some open swimming space in the middle of the tank. Plants and gentle, tannin-tinted water mimic their natural habitat and help them feel secure, which encourages bolder schooling. Floating plants to diffuse the light are a nice touch. New to planted tanks? Our beginner's planted aquarium guide and our list of easy beginner plants can help.
Breeding
Black Neon Tetras are egg scatterers and can be bred at home with some preparation. They typically spawn most readily in soft, slightly acidic water with subdued lighting and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop for the eggs to fall into. The adults will eat their own eggs, so they're usually removed after spawning. The eggs and fry are light-sensitive, so a dimly lit setup helps.
Is the Black Neon Tetra right for you?
If you want a hardy, peaceful, good-looking schooling fish that's forgiving of beginner mistakes, the Black Neon Tetra is an excellent choice. Keep them in a group of six or more, give them clean and stable water, a varied diet, and a planted home, and they'll reward you with active, eye-catching schooling behavior.
Visit us
Thinking about adding Black Neon Tetras to your tank? Stop by Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne. We offer free water testing and can help you pick a healthy school and set up a tank where they'll feel right at home.