The Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm is a hardy, eye‑catching schooling fish that adds constant movement and colour to a community aquarium. With a deep black horizontal stripe and a glowing neon line above it, the Black Neon Tetra stands out beautifully against plants and darker backgrounds.
At around 3–3.5cm, these Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm are a great size for adding to an established tank. They are peaceful, active and best kept in a shoal, where they feel secure and show their best colour and behaviour.
Appearance and Size
- Species: Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
- Colour: black horizontal stripe with a bright, neon‑like line above and a subtle orange tint near the eye
- Size at sale: approximately 3–3.5cm
- Adult size: stays small, ideal for community tanks
A group of Black Neon Tetras creates a striking contrast in planted aquariums and looks especially good with darker substrates.
Tank Requirements for Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm
Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm are small, active schooling fish that appreciate:
- Tank size: from at least 2ft+ for a small group, larger is better for bigger shoals
- Décor: planted tanks with open swimming space and some shaded areas
- Filtration: gentle to moderate flow with good biological filtration
- Substrate: sand or fine gravel, with plants, wood and leaf litter for a natural look
Keeping Black Neon Tetras in a group of at least 6–8 (more if space allows) helps reduce stress and encourages natural schooling behaviour.
Water Parameters (Guide Only)
Black Neon Tetras are relatively hardy and adapt well if changes are slow:
- Temperature: around 23–27°C
- pH: roughly 6.0–7.5
- Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
- Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: kept low with regular water changes
Stable, clean water and a mature filter are more important than chasing exact numbers for your Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm.
Feeding Black Neon Tetra
The Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm is an omnivore and enjoys a varied diet:
- Quality micro pellets or fine flakes designed for small tropical fish
- Frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia and finely chopped bloodworms
- Occasional vegetable‑based or spirulina‑rich foods
Feeding small amounts 1–2 times per day keeps your Black Neon Tetras active, colourful and in good condition.
Behaviour and Tank Mates
Black Neon Tetras are peaceful schooling fish that do very well in community aquariums:
- Behaviour: active mid‑water swimmers that feel safest in a group
- Temperament: peaceful, ideal for calm community setups
- Best kept: in shoals of at least 6–8 Black Neon Tetras
Suitable tank mates include other small peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, small peaceful catfish and dwarf cichlids, as well as many community‑safe invertebrates. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may see Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm as food.
Important Notes
- Always introduce Black Neon Tetra 3-3.5cm to a mature, cycled aquarium.
- Keep them in groups for best colour, confidence and natural schooling behaviour.
- Regular maintenance and good filtration help keep this species healthy long‑term.
