From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 5.5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 75 L
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi |
| Family: | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Origin: | South America (Paraguay basin, Brazil) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 4.00 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 6+ together |
| Varieties: | A Diamond or Brilliant strain is traded alongside the standard fish. It lacks the white stripe and carries far more reflective scaling on the head; care is identical. Beyond that there are no cultivated colour forms — the wild-type black and white banding is what the species is kept for, and almost every fish in the trade is commercially bred rather than wild-caught. It was described in 1961 and named for Herbert R. Axelrod, the publisher whose magazine carried the description. Its natural range is the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil, with a feral population established in the Rio Paraíba do Sul. Despite the shared name it is not a close relative of the neon tetra, which belongs to Paracheirodon — the two are similar in size and shoaling habit and quite different in hardiness, this being much the sturdier fish. Among other Hyphessobrycon, the lemon and flame tetras are the comparable community species. |
| Lifespan: | 5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:75 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is a species of fish in the family Acestrorhamphidae. It is native to South America (Paraguay basin, Brazil). The black neon tetra's stripes are a signalling device. Two adjacent lengthwise bands run the length of the body — white above black — and the contrast holds the shoal together in the turbid water the fish lives in, where colour would be useless. Above them sits a red-over-yellow band across the top of the eye. It reaches about 4 cm, females slightly larger than males, and comes from the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil, in forest streams and seasonal floodwaters with running water, plants and acidic conditions. A feral population has established itself in the Rio Paraíba do Sul. Despite the name it is not a close relative of the neon tetra, and it is the sturdier fish of the two. It is named for Herbert R. Axelrod, the publisher whose magazine carried the species description.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 6+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Black Neon Tetra
Matched on family, then category, then water type