Black neon tetra care

Water temperature

73–81°F

A black neon tetra wants water at 73–81°F, pH 5.5–7.5, and a tank of 15 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include bettas, guppies, kuhli loaches.

Hardier than the neon tetra and just as peaceful.

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

pH

5.5–7.5

Minimum tank

15 gal

Adult size

1.5 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 6+

Lifespan

5 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• GuppyYes
• Kuhli loachYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• Sparkling gouramiYes
• CorydorasYes
• OtocinclusYes
• Dwarf gouramiYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• Amano shrimpYes
• Mystery snailYes
• HatchetfishYes

Full black neon tetra tank mate chart: 60 yes, 21 with care, 17 no

Black neon tetra water compared

Fish to keep away from black neon tetras

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); black neon tetras need 73–81°F. No temperature suits both.
• Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive and will bully peaceful black neon tetras.
• Angelfish An adult angelfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
• Elephant nose fish At 9 inches an elephant nose fish can swallow a 1.5-inch black neon tetra whole.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
• Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.

More tetras and characins

• Neon tetra72–79°F
• Ember tetra73–84°F
• Congo tetra73–82°F
• Rummy nose tetra75–84°F
• Cardinal tetra76–84°F
• Black skirt tetra70–80°F
• Serpae tetra72–79°F
• Silver dollar75–82°F