Family: Characidae
Distribution: Paraguay and Brazil are the homelands of Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi. The Black Neon Tetra can be found in the Paraguay, Taguary and Amazon River systems.
PH: 6.0 – 7.5 pH
Temperature: 23 – 27 °C (73 – 81 °F)
Hardness: 1 – 7 dH
Description: An average-sized Hyphessobrycon (4.5cm), The Black Neon Tetra is a peaceful tank mate for community or single-species tanks. They shouldn’t be kept in schools that are less than six (ideally, no less than ten) as they are sociable by nature.
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi has a base colouration of green-gold and sports two large, thick stripes running from its eye to the base of the caudal fin. The upper line is a bright, iridescent white, while the one below is black. The fins of the Black Neon Tetra are mostly transparent with an almost greenish tinge to them. The upper half of the eye is red, whilst the lower rim is edged with black.
The male Black Neon Tetra is slimmer than the females.
Diet: Another easy fish to feed, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi will eat almost anything offered to it. Like the rest of their Hyphessobrycon family, they should have a varied diet as this will ensure they are healthy and the most colourful. Make sure they have an evenly-balanced diet of flake (or pellet) and frozen meaty foods, as well as occasional live food (such as brine shrimp and worms).
Breeding: Use the generally-accepted Hyphessobrycon breeding method for your Black Neon Tetras.
First separate a male and a female (at least one year old) into two conditioning tanks. Feed them live foods for about three weeks before introducing them into the breeding tank. They should breed within 24 hours, but give them three days and, if no eggs appear, repeat the conditioning process.
Remove the parents once they have spawned or you may find they’ve eaten all the eggs. They will hatch after 24 hours and the subsequent free-swimming fry should be fed Infusoria. Once they are big enough, start them on baby brine shrimp.
The eggs of Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi are sensitive to light. Keep the tank is as dark a place as possible.
Comments: The optimum conditions for your Black Neon Tetra include a tank with dim lighting, dense (live) plantation, an open swimming area, dark substrate and moderate water current. Use peat to filter the water. This species are vulnerable in poor water conditions, so ensure the water is kept clean.
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Recommended Compatible Species: They should live happily with other Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They also should be good tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also should live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish could make great tank mates.
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