American Characins - Black Neon (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)

Aquarium Atlas Vol. I

Black Neon Tetra is a peaceful school fish suitable for most Amazon-type community aquariums provided that the tank mates are of similar size and temperament. It prefers medium-soft (GH < 10°d) and slightly-acidic water (pH 5.5 - 7.5). Because Black Neon is a social school fish it must be kept in groups of at least ten individuals. Shoaling behavior is more pronounced when the fish are young; adults swim rather loosely unless they are scared. Black Neon prefers to swim within the upper half of the aquarium and it appreciates adequate swimming space. A dim lighting and a dark bottom substrate are recommended; otherwise this species feels itself insecure, becomes scary and as a natural consequence it does not show its best coloring.

Adult females are significantly larger and stockier than the males. Furthermore, males have a blue-white gleam on their dorsal and anal fins. Breeding pairs can be conditioned with a well varied diet and live foods such as black mosquito larvae. Soft and acidic water (pH < 6.0 and KH < 4°d) is necessary for breeding; otherwise the eggs may not hatch. If a suitable pair is selected the courting behavior of the male can be observed as soon as the pair is placed in the breeding tank. With wide-spread fins the male fish begins to dance around the female. 100-300 almost transparent tiny sticky eggs are laid into the plant thickets. A bush of fine leaved plants will prove useful here. The pair must be removed from the tank as soon as the egg-laying is over which generally takes place in the early ours of the day. Raising the fast growing young fish is not difficult.
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