Black Neon Tetra Fish Species Profile

The black neon tetra is an energetic little beauty with a pleasant personality. Put this fish among contrasting plants and a dark background and you will have a vibrant and beautiful aquarium. The black neon tetra has been successfully bred in captivity, and most black neons available for sale for the aquarium trade are captive-bred. An albino variant is sometimes also available.

Characteristics

Origin and Distribution

The black neon tetra is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. In the wild, these fish prefer small tributaries, creeks, areas of flooded forest, and sandbanks. Their natural habitat is usually very acidic, and the water is stained brown from the tannins released by decaying organic material. 

Colors and Markings

Sporting an iridescence of white, greenish, and black, the black neon makes an excellent contrast fish. They stand apart from the similarly sized tetras, such as the red-splashed rummy nose or neon tetra, and they are also a bit taller in the body. They can readily be identified as they have an enamel-white to greenish neon stripe contrasted with a rich velvety black color below.

Tankmates

At an adult size of little more than 1 inch, black neons are suitable for small aquariums. They are a schooling fish and should always be kept in groups of a half dozen or more. They also make a nice addition to a larger community aquarium, as they are peaceful and easy to care for.

Neon tetras do well in a community tank, as long as tankmates are not large or aggressive. They get along well with all sorts of other peaceful fish, such as rasboras, danios, gouramis, and other small tetras as well as the corys and other small catfish. Avoid larger fish, as they will eat these tiny tetras at the first opportunity. The rule of thumb is, if the mouth of the fish opens large enough to swallow the neon, they will do it sooner or later.

Black Neon Tetra Habitat and Care

Like other tetras, black neons prefer soft acidic water; however, they are quite adaptable and are more tolerant of hard neutral water than other tetra species. Peat filtering is recommended for bringing out the best coloration, and peat is essential if you're attempting to breed them.

The ideal environment 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. For the substrate, use river sand with some driftwood and twisted roots. Add some dried leaves to the tank, which will stain the water a light brown. Replace the leaves every few weeks. Use dim lighting to develop the tetra's coloring for the best display effect.

Black neon tetras are not exceptionally difficult to care for, provided their water is kept clean. At least 25 to 50 percent of the tank water should be replaced every other week, especially if the tank is densely stocked. Because they are very active swimmers, it is also advisable to keep them in a tank at least 20 inches in length and ideally holding 20 gallons or more. The tank should be securely covered, as these fish are skilled jumpers and will likely demonstrate this if given the opportunity.

Black Neon Tetra Diet and Feeding

Its natural diet consists of small invertebrates and plants and often includes crustacea, filamentous algae, and fallen fruits. Black neons are not demanding 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 are small live worms and brine shrimp.

Gender Differences

Sexual differences are not obvious in black neon tetras. Generally, the female has a larger, more rounded belly than the male. A female's lower abdomen becomes filled with eggs when it is sexually mature.

Breeding the Black Neon Tetra 

These fish are egg layers and freely spawn in schools or in pairs. For best results when breeding, select breeding pairs from healthy adults that are approximately one year old. Younger fish may spawn, but results are better with fully mature fish.

Condition the breeding pair (or breeding group) prior to spawning with live foods such as brine shrimp and mosquito larvae. Choose males that are the most colorful. A breeding group should include only one or two males with several females.

Keep breeders in a separate tank to produce the best number of fry. A 10-gallon spawning tank is adequate. Use a dark substrate in the breeding tank. Lighting must be very dim; if the room is very bright, place cardboard on the sides of the tank to subdue the light.

Keep the spawning tank at 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 C) while conditioning the breeders. After a few days, slowly elevate the temperature to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.7 C). Maintain very soft acidic water (4 dGH or less).

Filter the water through aquarium-safe peat to encourage these fish to spawn. Fine-textured, live plants can be provided as a spawning medium, and floating plants will help to keep the tank dim. A layer of mesh can serve too, but make sure it is wide enough to let eggs pass through but small enough to keep the parents out. 

Spawning generally occurs early in the day. The female will scatter several hundred sticky eggs onto the plants and/or substrate. After spawning, remove the breeders, or else the eggs and fry will almost certainly be eaten.

The eggs will hatch in approximately 22 to 26 hours, and the fry will appear three to four days later. Fry are relatively easy to raise and may be fed commercially prepared fry foods, freshly hatched brine shrimp, or finely crushed flake foods. Young fish should be kept isolated until they are too large to be eaten by the adults.

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research

If black neon tetras appeal to you, and you are interested in some compatible fish for your aquarium, read up on:

• Rasbora Species Profile
• Corys Species Profiles
• Other tetras

Check out additional fish breed profiles for more information on other freshwater fish.