OSTEICHTHYES: CHARACIFORMES: FAMILY: Hyphessobrycon

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi Gery, 1961

Black neon tetra  

Photo & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Rivers of Brazil.

Diagnosis:

Description: Body flattened and moderately deep. A neon red mark over the eye, and a smaller red mark is on the dorsal base of the tail. A black lateral streak extends from the gill slit to the base of the tail; above that is a neon cream stripe. The dorsum is light brown, the belly white. Fins are clear. The eyes are large.

Natural History:

Reproduction: Egg layers.

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

Additional Comments: Black neons are very popular in the aquarium hobby, and do best in schools of 3-50 specimens (depending on aquarium size).

Type Specimen: USNM 196089, Rio Paraguay, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

 Literature: Click on book to order.

Axelrod, H., C. Emmens, W. Burgess and N. Pronek. 1986. Exotic tropical fishes. Expanded edition. TFH Publications. ISBN: 0-87666-543-1.