# Black Neon Tetra (*Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi*) Black Neon Tetras are small fish with shiny black stripes! They are friendly and enjoy swimming in schools. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers - **Also known as:** Black Tetra ![Black Neon Tetra](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426843/objects/4732.jpg) ## Appearance The Black Neon Tetra has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body with a striking iridescent stripe that shifts from green to blue. Its main body is charcoal black, contrasted by a white belly and a bright, reflective stripe, making it visually unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Characiformes - **Family:** Characidae - **Genus:** Hyphessobrycon ## Interesting facts - Black Neon Tetras love living in big groups called schools for safety! - Their scientific name means 'small toothed' in Greek, but they only have tiny teeth! - These tiny fish communicate using subtle body movements and fin signals. - They get their 'neon' glow from special reflective cells in their skin! ## Special abilities - **Glow Stripe:** Black Neon Tetra has a bright, iridescent stripe that helps them recognize friends in dimly lit waters. - **Quick Darting:** Black Neon Tetra can make sudden, fast movements to escape predators because of its streamlined body and small fins. - **Shadow Blending:** Black Neon Tetra has a dark body that helps them blend into shadowy aquatic plants to hide from danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 2.5-3.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-4 years - **Swim Speed:** 1 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Tiny Black Neon Tetras munch on small bugs and other bits found floating in the water. - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, small crustaceans, algae, plant detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — Small crustaceans are a favorite food source for them. - **Eats:** Midge Larva (*Chironomus plumosus*) — They consume tiny insect larvae found among aquatic plants. - **Eaten by:** Peacock Bass (*Cichla ocellaris*) — A larger predatory fish that hunts smaller tetras. - **Eaten by:** [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) — Wading birds snatch them from shallow river edges. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Neon Tetra? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black Neon Tetra? 2.5-3.5 cm ### How much does Black Neon Tetra weigh? 0.001-0.005 kg ### How long does Black Neon Tetra live? 2-4 years ### What does Black Neon Tetra eat? Tiny Black Neon Tetras munch on small bugs and other bits found floating in the water. ### How fast can Black Neon Tetra swim? 1 km/h ### Where is Black Neon Tetra usually found? Freshwater rivers ### How does Black Neon Tetra hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Black Neon Tetra: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-neon-tetra)