Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi (Black Neon Tetra)

27 May 2026

970

Originating from the Paraguay basin in South America, the Black Neon Tetra is a peaceful, schooling fish beloved by aquarists. Known for its striking black and iridescent greenish-white lateral stripes, this hardy species adds vibrant contrast and active, dynamic movement to any well-planted community aquarium.

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi (Black Neon Tetra)

Overview

The Black Neon Tetra is a stunning and hardy freshwater fish that brings a unique aesthetic to community tanks. The XL designation refers to fully grown, robust adult specimens.

Distribution and Habitat

Native to the Paraguay basin in southern Brazil, they inhabit small tributaries, creeks, and flooded forest areas characterized by acidic, tannin-stained waters.

Description of Black Neon Tetra

Image of black neon xl hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

This species is easily recognizable by its distinct coloration and energetic swimming patterns.

Body shape:

Torpedo-shaped and laterally compressed, typical of many small characins.

Color:

Features a prominent black horizontal stripe running from the gills to the tail, bordered above by a striking iridescent greenish-white or silver line. The belly is pale silver.

Barbels:

None.

Snout:

Short and slightly rounded with a terminal mouth designed for grabbing mid-water morsels.

Eyes:

Large relative to body size, featuring a distinct, bright orange or red upper iris.

Fins:

Mostly transparent or clear, sometimes with a faint yellowish tint. The dorsal fin is tall, and a small adipose fin is present.

The Tail:

Forked and clear, aiding in rapid, darting movements.

Temper

Very docile, peaceful, and easygoing.

Sociality

Highly social schooling fish. They must be kept in groups of at least 6 to 10 individuals to feel secure and display their best colors.

Activity

Very active mid-level swimmers. They spend most of their day darting around the middle and upper water column.

Keeping and Caring for Black Neon Tetra

They are incredibly hardy, making them an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike.

Tank size:

A minimum of 60 liters (15 gallons) is recommended for a standard school.

Water Parameters:

They thrive in conditions that mimic their native Amazonian environment.

Temperature

23-27°C (73-81°F).

pH

5.5-7.5, preferring slightly acidic water.

Hardness

Soft to moderately hard water, ideally between 2-10 dGH.

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate

Ammonia and Nitrite must strictly be 0 ppm. Nitrates should be kept below 20 ppm through regular water changes.

Lighting

Dim to moderate lighting is preferred to bring out their iridescent colors and reduce stress.

Water flow

Gentle to moderate flow is ideal, simulating the slow-moving creeks of their natural habitat.

Decorations and Plants

Heavily planted tanks with dark substrates, driftwood, and floating plants are perfect. Leaf litter can be added to create a blackwater environment.

Diet

Omnivorous and unfussy. They will readily accept high-quality flakes, micro-pellets, and frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.

Some Feeding Tips

Feed small amounts 1-2 times daily, only what they can consume in a couple of minutes. Ensure food pieces are small enough to fit in their mouths.

Breeding

Egg scatterers. To breed, set up a separate dimly lit breeding tank with soft, acidic water and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. Condition the parents with live foods. Remove the parents immediately after spawning to prevent them from eating the eggs.

Conclusion

The Black Neon Tetra is a fantastic, low-maintenance addition to any freshwater community aquarium. Their peaceful nature, combined with their striking contrast against green plants, makes them a timeless favorite among aquarists of all skill levels.

Fish info

Care level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 4 cm
Life expectancy: 3-5 years
Fish type: Tetra
Temperature : 23-27°C
pH: 5.5-7.5
Color Form: Black, Clear, Green, Silver

Related on Fishs

Leave your comments

Latest on Fishs

Keyhole Cichlid (Aequidens maronii)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The fish supplied is consistent with the keyhole cichlid, commonly listed as Aequidens maronii and currently placed by many authorities in the genus Cleithracara. It is a relatively peaceful South American cichlid recognized by its dark keyhole-shaped marking, subdued body coloration and interesting parental care. A pair needs a mature, well-filtered aquarium with soft surroundings, hiding places and stable water quality. Although generally manageable, it becomes territorial while spawning and should not be kept with boisterous or fin-nipping tank mates.
Marble Gourami (Cosby Gourami), Trichopodus trichopterus

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami, commonly sold as the Cosby gourami, is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. It is a labyrinth fish that can breathe atmospheric air and generally occupies the upper and middle levels of a planted aquarium. This species is usually hardy, but adult males may become territorial, particularly when spawning. The supplied images show several color forms, so exact strain identification is not certain; the fish are best treated as marble or related cultivated forms of T. trichopterus.
Marble Gourami, Gold-Orange Form (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, a labyrinth fish from mainland and island Southeast Asia. The supplied trade label identifies these fish as a gold-orange pair, although commercial names and appearance can vary, so the exact cultivated form is not fully certain. They are generally hardy community fish, but males may become territorial, especially when spawning. Provide warm, stable water, surface access, dense planting, and gentle filtration.
Honey Gourami Gold (Trichogaster chuna)

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish suited to planted freshwater aquariums. The supplied source identifies a gold pair as Colisa chuna, an older name now generally treated as Trichogaster chuna. The photographs show orange-gold individuals, but sex and exact variety cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Provide gentle flow, surface access, dense cover and calm tank mates for best results.
Honey Gourami (Colisa chuna) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish from the slow-moving waters of South Asia. Aquarium specimens may be natural honey-colored fish or selectively bred red and orange forms, like those shown here. The supplied images appear consistent with honey gourami, although sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the photographs. A planted aquarium with gentle flow, surface cover, stable warm water and calm tank mates suits this species well.
Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Labyrinth fish; freshwater anabantoid

The blue gourami is a hardy labyrinth fish suited to a spacious, planted community aquarium. It is the blue color form of the three-spot gourami, a species that can become territorial, particularly when males mature or spawn. Provide gentle filtration, access to warm humid air above the water, hiding places, and a varied diet. The supplied images clearly show blue gouramis, although photographs alone cannot confirm sex or verify that every pictured fish belongs to the same color form.
Giraffe Perch (Nimbochromis venustus) Care Guide

Difficult

Lake Malawi predatory haplochromine cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus is a large predatory haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, known in aquariums as the giraffe perch or giraffe cichlid. Juveniles are comparatively subdued, while adults develop blue facial tones and yellow, olive or gold body coloration with darker markings. The supplied listing describes two 4 cm fish as a pair, but sex cannot be confirmed reliably at that size. This species requires a spacious, rocky aquarium and carefully selected tank mates.
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The dwarf gourami is a small labyrinth fish from vegetated, slow-moving waters of South Asia. Trichogaster lalius is generally peaceful, colorful and suitable for a planted community aquarium, although males can become territorial, especially around a bubble nest. A pair needs warm, stable water, gentle circulation, surface access and plenty of cover. The supplied identification is consistent with dwarf gourami, though color varieties and sex should be confirmed by physical examination.
Five-Bar Cichlid (Neolamprologus tretocephalus)

Difficult

Lake Tanganyika rock-dwelling cichlid

The five-bar cichlid, also called the five-striped cichlid, is a robust Lake Tanganyika predator with a dark blue-gray body marked by five broad black bars. Neolamprologus tretocephalus is territorial and can become highly aggressive, particularly when spawning. It suits experienced aquarists who can provide a spacious, rock-structured aquarium, alkaline hard water, and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied label identifies this fish as a pair, but sex and exact locality cannot be confirmed from the available information.
Gardner’s Splendid Carp (Fundulopanchax gardneri)

Moderate

West African killifish

Gardner’s splendid carp is a small West African killifish valued for its iridescent body, red markings and patterned fins. The supplied image appears to show a brightly colored male, while the source identifies a pair; exact locality form and sex of every fish cannot be confirmed from the available evidence. It is generally peaceful, though males may spar, and it is best kept in a covered, mature aquarium with gentle flow, subdued lighting and abundant plant cover.
Pelvicachromis taeniatus Nigeria Red

Moderate

West African dwarf cichlid

Pelvicachromis taeniatus, commonly known as the striped krib or taeniatus cichlid, is a small West African riverine cichlid valued for its parental behavior and locality-based color variation. “Nigeria Red” identifies a trade form or collection locality rather than a separate species. The supplied source label also calls these fish emerald perch, but that common name is not a standard scientific name. This species is generally manageable for experienced beginners when provided with stable, clean water, hiding places and a carefully planned community aquarium.
Apistogramma agassizii ‘Fire Red’

Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii is a small South American cichlid valued for its intricate markings, elongated fins and interesting parental behavior. “Fire Red” is a selectively bred aquarium color form rather than a separate species. The supplied listing describes a pair, although sex, locality and breeding-line identity cannot be confirmed from the available material. This species suits a mature, planted aquarium with soft, clean water, subdued lighting, cover and a fine substrate.
Cockatoo Cichlid Orange (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

Easy - Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

The Cockatoo Cichlid is a small South American dwarf cichlid known for its elongated dorsal fin, bold facial markings and colorful orange fin forms. Apistogramma cacatuoides comes from slow-moving waters and tributaries of the upper Amazon basin, where it shelters among leaf litter, roots and submerged vegetation. It is generally manageable for an aquarist who provides soft, clean water, caves and visual barriers. The supplied listing describes an orange pair, but sex and exact form should be confirmed by the seller because photographs alone are not definitive.
Dwarf Gourami Red (Trichogaster lalius)

Easy - Moderate

Asian labyrinth fish

The red dwarf gourami is a selectively bred color form of the dwarf gourami, a small labyrinth fish formerly widely known as Colisa lalia. It is suited to mature, planted community aquariums with gentle water movement and calm tank mates. Males can be territorial, especially when kept with females in confined conditions, so cover, visual barriers, and careful observation are important for a pair.
Cockatoo Cichlid Red (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

The Cockatoo Cichlid is a small South American dwarf cichlid valued for its personality, breeding behavior and colorful finnage. Apistogramma cacatuoides is generally adaptable when provided with clean, stable water, cover and a soft substrate. Males are larger and more vividly marked than females, while pairs become territorial around spawning sites. The supplied “red” designation most likely refers to a selectively bred color form; exact strain and sex confirmation cannot be established from the listing alone.
Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) Care Guide

Difficult

South American freshwater cichlid

Symphysodon aequifasciatus is a large, laterally compressed cichlid from the Amazon Basin, valued for its calm behavior and striking disc-shaped body. It requires warm, clean, stable water and careful feeding, making it better suited to experienced aquarists. The supplied images show yellow, orange, red, white and dark color forms; cultivated strains can vary considerably, so exact variety identification from images alone is uncertain. Discus are social fish and generally thrive in groups rather than as isolated specimens.