Plus, it’ll become a place of exploration for the fish. All of that natural decor will serve as shelter from the light. To accompany those plants, add driftwood and rocks. Make sure to leave some open swimming space in the center! Choose a variety of different plants to create some thick vegetation in the background. Next, introduce live plants throughout the habitat. But, a sandy bottom is similar to what you’d find in their natural habitat. They like to stick to the upper and middle parts of the water column. To do that, start with a sand substrate at the bottom of your tank.īlack Neon Tetras rarely venture to the bottom of the tank. Recreating their natural environment will reduce stress while giving them an enriched life! Setting Up The Rest Of Their TankĬreating a rich aquarium is key to keeping Black Neon Tetras healthy and happy. This transitional phase is when they’re more likely to suffer health complications as the result of shifting parameters. When you first introduce these fish to the aquarium it’s important to check the water more frequently. Water temperature: 68☏ to 82☏ (roughly 75 degrees is ideal).You don’t have to go so far as to stain the water, but you will need to stick to the following parameters: You can easily recreate that environment in your home aquarium. Fallen leaves cause the water to appear brown in color, which ultimately raises the acidity levels. Most Black Neon Tetras are found in tea-stained blackwaters. Instead, they are shallow streams filled with decaying plant matter! They’re not the crystal-clear lakes and rivers that most people envision. The bodies of water that Black Neon Tetras call home in the wild are unique. Black Neon Tetras always appreciate the extra swimming space if its available. It’s recommended that you keep a group of half a dozen together.Įven with a small group, these fish do fine with a tank size of at least 20 gallons.Īuthor Note: You can go bigger if you plan on keeping a multi-species community tank. Below are some care guidelines you don’t want to miss! Tank SizeĪt less than two inches long, you don’t need a massive tank for Black Neon Tetras. This makes these fish great for beginners (or experienced aquarists looking for something low-maintenance).Īs long as you provide the essentials, you should have no issues keeping these fish healthy. This species tolerates a wide range of conditions and is pretty easy to please. This is no different from many of the other species in the tetra family. Sometimes specimens can reach 1.6 inches but that’s pretty uncommon.īecause of their small size, it can be hard to tell the difference between the large fish and smaller ones! Black Neon Tetra Careīlack Neon Tetra care is relatively easy as long as you have the right information. The average size of a full-grown Black Neon Tetra is usually around 1.5 inches in length. This is especially true when the female reaches maturity and is ready for breeding. However, the easiest way to distinguish males and females is by looking at their bellies.įemales tend to have larger and more rounded bellies than females. It runs from the gill cover down to the base of the tail fin.Īuthor Note: There are very minimal differences between males and females. This stripe is what lends the fish its name.īoth of the stripes run horizontally along the entire body of the fish. Directly below that stripe is a thicker band of black. It sparkles in the light to create a stunning glimmering effect. The first is a thin stripe of iridescent white. Complementing that base color is two vivid stripes. They often take on a slightly greenish hue. The primary color of the Black Neon Tetra is relatively subdued. They have a torpedo-shaped body with a rounded head and transparent fins. Like their brighter cousins, these fish are small and slender. Appearanceīlack Neon Tetras are beautiful fish that stand out among natural decor. To help your fish reach its full potential, you’ll need to provide the best environment, diet, and care possible. While this species is known for its hardiness, failure to provide the basics could result in a dramatically shortened lifespan. Their lifespan basically mimics regular Neons. The average Black Neon Tetra lifespan can reach up to 5 years in captivity. Black Neon Tetras readily spawn in captivity, creating a healthy market for aquarists looking for a high-contrast fish for their tank. The specimens you see in the fish trade are largely captive-bred. The fish can be found in small tributaries, floodplains, and rivers flowing through dense forests. Their natural habitat spans several hundred kilometers. Black Neon Tetras come from the Paraguay Basin in Brazil.
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