Black Neon Tetra

Scientific Name:Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Other Names: Black Tetra, Neon Tetra
Family: Characidae
Origin: Brazil
Adult Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Social: Peaceful, suitable for community tank
Lifespan: 5 years
Tank Level: Mid, top dweller
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon, keep in schools
Diet: Omnivore, eats most foods
Breeding: Egglayer
Care: Intermediate
pH: 5.5 - 7.5
Hardness: to 6 dGH
Temperature: 73-81 F (23-27 C)

Description

Sporting an iridescent silvery-white stripe contrasted by a black stripe beneath it, the Black Neon makes an excellent contrast fish to similarly shaped and sized tetras such as the Rummy Nose or Neon Tetra.

At an adult size of little more than one inch, it is suitable for even small aquariums, although it should always be kept in schools instead of singly. Peaceful and easy to care for, they also make a nice addition to a larger community aquarium.

Habitat/Care

Like other tetras Black Neons prefer soft acidic water, however they are quite adaptable and are more tolerant of hard neutral water than some tetra species. Peat filtering is recommended for bringing out the best coloration, and is essential if attempting to breed them.

The ideal biotope for the Black Neon Tetra includes subdued lighting, live plants, open space for swimming, a dark substrate, and a healthy water current in the mid to upper region of the aquarium where they prefer to swim. They are a schooling fish and should always be kept in groups of a half dozen or more.

Diet

Black Neons are undemanding and will eat almost anything offered to them, however they should be fed a varied diet for optimum health and color. Flake, frozen, and freeze-dried foods are all suitable, as well as small live worms and brine shrimp.

Breeding

The sexes are fairly easy to differentiate by observing the body type. Males are much slimmer than the stocky full-bodied female. A separate breeding tank should be set up with very soft acidic water (4 dGH or less), a dark substrate, and fine leafed plants. Lighting must be very dim. If the room is very bright, place cardboard on the sides of the tank to subdue the light.

Breeding pairs should be selected from healthy adults that are approximately one year old. Younger fish may spawn, but best results are achieved in fully mature fish. Condition the breeding pair prior to spawning with live foods such as brine shrimp and mosquito larvae.

Spawning generally occurs early in the day. The female will scatter several hundred sticky eggs on the plants and/or substrate. Once spawning has occurred, the mating pair should be removed from the aquarium, as they will consume the eggs and young fry. Fry are relatively easy to raise, and may be fed commercially prepared fry foods, freshly hatched brine shrimp, or finely crushed flake foods