
Other live foods you can try (after all, not all black neons will like brine shrimp) include:
- Earthworms
- Grindal worms
- Maggots
- Microworms
- Mosquito larva
- Vinegar eels
- Wingless fruit flies
How often should I Feed my neon tetras?
Table of contents
- How often should I feed neon tetra?
- How long can neon tetras go without food?
- Is it OK to feed neon tetra once a day?
- How much food should I feed my neon tetra fish?
- Can neon tetras go without food?
- How many days can tetra fish go without food?
- Can neon tetras go a day without food?
- How often do neon tetra need to be fed?
Are neon tetras a good fish to have?
Yes, Neon tetra is a good fish for beginners. When you are a novice or a beginner aquarist, tetras are your go-to fish. And neon tetras will definitely be one of your first choices. These tropical fish will the best addition to the tank even if you are new to fish keeping and have just gotten the fish tank. There are always new things to try on ...
Which are the good tank mates for neon tetras?
What are the Best Tank Mates For Neon Tetras?
- Harlequin Rasboras. Harlequin Rasboras are one of the prettiest fish you can put into your aquarium. ...
- Zebra Danios. ...
- Cory Catfish. ...
- Angelfish. ...
- Fancy Guppy. ...
- Hatchetfish. ...
- Dwarf Gourami. ...
- Kuhli Loach. ...
- Clown Pleco. ...
- Nerite Snail. ...
Who is eating my neon tetras?
Why Are My Neon Tetras Disappearing?
- Aggressive Neighbors. Larger fish can act like bullies sometimes. ...
- Illness. If your neon tetra is sick, it will be sluggish and powerless. ...
- Stress. Stress comes from being preyed upon. ...
- A New Tank. A new tank is like your first day at a new school (pun intended). ...
- Lonely. Most neon tetras live in schools. ...

How often should you feed black neon tetras?
Feed the tetras anywhere from two to four times a day, using the amount you measured previously to dictate how much food they will eat in a day. In the wild, neons are foragers and opportunistic feeders. The multiple feedings mimic their natural feeding behaviors.
What should I feed neon tetras?
Neon tetras are omnivores, meaning that they will eat both plant and animal material. Fine flake food, small granules, live or frozen brine shrimp or daphnia, and frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms are all good food choices. Offer a variety of food, including live foods, to ensure good health.
What do black tetra eat?
Black Skirt Tetras aren't picky when it comes to food. In the wild, they will feed off plants and consume pretty much any insects they come across. In captivity, this species should do just fine with a diet of commercially-available dry food. You can provide nutrient-rich flakes or pellets for their main meals.
What is the best food to feed tetra fish?
6 Best Foods For Neon Tetras Compared & ReviewedOmega One Veggie Mini Pellets. ... Omega One Super Color Flakes. ... Northfin Community Formula. ... Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Fish Food. ... New Life Spectrum Grow.
How long can neon tetras go without food?
How long then can your school of tetras survive without food? The real answer is probably around 7 to 8 days or roughly around 1 week. Once the fishes have used up their fat reserves, which tetras do not have a lot of because they are constantly moving, they will probably die.
What vegetables can tetra fish eat?
Neon Tetras can eat vegetables such as peas, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, potato, cabbage, lettuce, and corn. When feeding your Neon Tetras vegetables, you must either blend the vegetables or chop them up into tiny pieces that are smaller than their mouths. Once the feed is prepared, you can drop it into the tank.
How much should I feed my black tetra?
Black skirt tetras should be fed no more than once per day, and they should be fed no more than they can eat in 3 to 4 minutes.
How often do you feed black tetra fish?
The decision of how much and when should one feed their fish has always been a perplexing one. Ideally, you feed a fish twice a day on a routine basis. Read more… If you've got a Tetra fish as a new pet at home or are planning to pet one, then how often do you need to feed it, is a very important thing to be-pet them.
What is the lifespan of a black neon tetra?
5 yearsThe average Black Neon Tetra lifespan can reach up to 5 years in captivity. Their lifespan basically mimics regular Neons.
How many times a day should I feed my tetras?
two to three times dailyYou should feed your fish two to three times daily. A few flakes per fish is sufficient. The fish should eat all the food in two minutes or less.
Is it better to feed fish flakes or pellets?
High quality pellets will usually contain more nutritional value than high quality flakes. Fish pellets make it easy to judge and measure exactly how much food you are feeding your fish, which helps to avoid both underfeeding and overfeeding.
How much do you feed a neon tetra?
Neon tetras eat about 2%of their body weight daily. On average, neon tetras eat approximately 2% of their body weight each day. This is due to the fact that they are so small. If you have one in your aquarium, feed your neon tetras only 2 to 4 times per day, like with other fish.
Can I feed my neon tetras betta food?
Neon Tetras are omnivores and bettas are carnivores. So while you'll be able to feed your neon tetras some of your bettas food, you can't feed your betta some of your neon tetras food.
How do you get neon tetras to eat?
0:293:09How to Feed Neon Tetra? – 3 step to feed your Neon Tetra - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt is advisable to feed them with varying food materials such as flakes blood worms brine shrimp andMoreIt is advisable to feed them with varying food materials such as flakes blood worms brine shrimp and lettuce. This will give them enough options to choose from and make sure to balance out their diet.
Do Tetra fish eat bloodworms?
They can include food items like bloodworms or mosquito larvae. Feed them the same way as flake food: You should only feed as much as your tetras can eat in three to five minutes.
How to get a black neon tetra to a good tank?
To achieve a decent tank environment for your Black Neon Tetra, you will need to start with a substrate.
Where Black Neon Tetra for Sale?
Since they are bred in captivity, you can easily find Black Neon Tetra for sale in a fish shop next to you. Even online eCommerce sites will carry Black Neon Tetra for sale at affordable prices.
Do Black Neon Tetras Jump?
Usually, Neon Tetras are good at jumping, and the Black Neon Tetras are no different. However, they are more persuaded to jump out of a stressful or crowded place.
What happens when a black neon tetra is not sexually matured?
When sexually mature, a female Black Neon Tetra’s stomach is filled with eggs. If a Black Neon Tetra is not sexually matured, identifying males from females is challenging and almost impossible.
What is a neon tetra?
Black Neon Tetra, scientifically known as the Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, is a similar fish species that take a darker appearance.
How big is a black neon tetra?
The average size of a fully grown Black Neon Tetra is approximately 1.5 inches in length. At times, these fishes are reported to reach 1.6 inches; however, this is very uncommon.
Can neon tetras spawn in a community tank?
In most cases, Black Neon Tetras are bred in captivity. Usually, spawning occurs naturally in a community tank. However, it is recommended that you set up a different breeding tank for the fish fry to survive.
How Often to Feed Neon Tetras?
You can feed your neon tetras by easily adjusting the schedule according to your free time. Once or twice per day is more than enough for these tiny living beings.
How Long can Neon Tetras go Without Food?
Neon tetras are known for surviving up to 2 weeks without any food around. However, such situations are highly dangerous and can lead to several serious health complications, as well as to trigger stress or even aggressive behavior among the school.
Can Neon Tetras Eat Betta Food?
Obviously, in separate tanks. However, betta fish are primarily carnivorous, so try not making their pellets or flakes as the only meals which your neon tetras will have to eat.
Will Neon Tetras Eat Aquarium Algae?
With neon tetras being omnivorous and able of feeding on basically any plant matter, they can eat aquarium algae. However, they will mostly choose not to unless they are stressed out or starving.
Will Neon Tetras Eat Their Fry?
Fry is a synonym for moving food to neon tetra fish. Indeed, they will not hesitate to eat them whenever they get a chance to. Including their own fry. Baby fish are much smaller than adult neon tetras, so they are easy for them to digest while offering a great source of healthy nutrients at the same time.
Why do neon tetras die?
Sadly, overfeeding is the most common reason for any fish dying during their life in captivity. Even if your neon tetras do not decide to ingest all the extra food you offer them, the leftovers will eventually sink to the bottom of the tank, causing unwanted debris to accumulate.
Why is it important to feed omnivorous fish?
These tiny omnivorous fish are quite sensitive when kept in captivity, especially when it comes to their water parameters. So, providing them appropriate nutrients is essential, as this will ensure that they build a strong immune system and become more resistant to any potential complication.
What Kinds of Food Should You Feed Your Neon Tetra Fish?
Fish food pellets are the most common types of fish feed. But you can also try feeding your tetra fresh fruit or vegetables like cucumbers, zucchini squash, green beans, spinach leaves, or even peas!
What Do Neon Tetra Fish Eat?
The typical diet for neon tetras includes a variety of foods. Some of these are frozen or live food like bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and tubifex worms.
What Human Food Can Your Neon Tetra Fish Eat?
Some people might say that you can’t feed your tetra any human food, but it is actually ok in very small amounts.
How Much And How Often To Feed Your Neon Tetra?
Neon tetras should be fed every day or at least twice a day with small amounts of food (equal to the size of their eyes) for them to thrive and not become obese. The best time is early morning or late afternoon as this will provide the most natural light which can ensure they are getting the right amount of nutrients from their food.
What Happens If You Overfeed Your Neon Tetra?
Overfeeding your fish can lead to obesity which will make them feel sluggish and lethargic as well as create an environment that encourages the development of parasites such as “ich” in their tanks. As mentioned before overfeeding will also cause the fish to experience bloating and yeast infections.
Why Is My Neon Tetra Not Eating?
Luckily, these problems can usually be solved fairly easily by changing the habitat and making adjustments to what’s in their tank.
Do Neon Tetras Have Any Special Requirements In The Tank?
Neon Tetras are sensitive to poor water quality and require a high-quality filter and aquarium . They are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, so it is best to keep them at a stable 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the biotope of neon tetra?
A typical biotope of black neon tetra is brownish water enriched with tannins from decaying leaves and driftwood of sunken plants. In such areas, there are usually very dense thickets of underwater vegetation.
What do neons eat?
In captivity black neon’s perfectly feed on almost all types of live, dry and frozen food.
Why can't neon tetra be started in pairs?
These fish cannot be started in pairs or in small numbers, because they are schooling and require a large team. In small groups, black neon tetra will hide in rocks and generally feel very insecure. They will not get lost in a flock with other types of neon’s.
What fish are good neighbors for black neon fish?
Therefore, they are considered fish ideally suited for common aquariums with other commensurate peaceful neighbors – barbs, poecilia , zebra fish, and other small carp.
What color is a black neon fish?
The species of black neon is identified mainly by its color. The fish has a dark olive back, a silvery belly, and a bluish-black blurred stripe on the sides. On top of it, there is a distinct light turquoise thin stripe. Just giving the fish a resemblance to the famous blue and red neon’s. The upper part of the iris of the eyes is often colored red.
How big is a tetra fish?
Looking at this fish, one can immediately understand that it belongs to tetras. It has a small size, not exceeding 3 cm, a high body flattened on the sides, large eyes and an adipose fin at the base of the caudal peduncle.
Where does the black neon come from?
Black neon (lat. Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, eng. Black Neon Tetra) is a representative of the haracin family from the water bodies of Brazil. It is widespread in the upper basin of the Paraguay River, and chooses various swamps and flooded forest areas as its habitat.
How much feed is required for black neon tetra fish?
Thus, the best method is to add the amount that fish can eat within 2 minutes. You can add feed 2-3 times per day. Do not add a large amount of feed at once.
How to care black neon tetra fry?
You should put some attention to rear your fry fish. But taking care of neon tetra fry is not complicated. Just after hatching, the body of the fry fish is extremely sensitive to light. Hence, you should allow them to live in a dark environment in the early stage of their life.
What is black neon tetra?
Black neon tetra ( Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is an energetic freshwater species. They have a torpedo shaped body. Their fins are transparent, and the head is round in shape. They got this name because of their appearance.
What type of behaviors have for black neon tetra?
Black neon tetras are schooling fish and they swim as a group. They are an energetic fish variety and have active swimming behaviors. Because of their luminescent strips, their appearance is more highlighted in dark environments.
How to identify female black neon tetra?
Generally, sexual differences are not clear in black neon tetra. The female fish has a larger body than the male fish. Female fish belly is rounded than male fish. When females are matured, their lower abdomen is swollen. Because it is filled with hundreds of eggs.
How many babies do black neon tetra have?
Generally, female fish lays around 50-150 eggs. But all eggs do not hatch successfully. The fertilization and hatching rate can be varied. Thus, you can expect around 50 fry fish from one breed.
How long can black neon tetras go without food?
Black neon tetra can survive 2 weeks in the well-planted tank without formulated feed. Because of their omnivorous behavior they can depend on plant matters of the tank. They can eat plant leaves, immature stems, and algae that occur in your planted tank. But this fasting period varies with the available plant amount, space, and tank mates’ behaviors.

Species Summary
Lifespan
- The average Black Neon Tetra lifespan can reach up to 5 years in captivity.Their lifespan basically mimics regular Neons. That said, there are no guarantees. While this species is known for its hardiness, failure to provide the basics could result in a dramatically shortened lifespan. To help your fish reach its full potential, you’ll need to provide the best environment, diet, and care possi…
Appearance
- Black Neon Tetras are beautiful fish that stand out among natural decor. Like their brighter cousins, these fish are small and slender. They have a torpedo-shaped body with a rounded head and transparent fins. The primary color of the Black Neon Tetra is relatively subdued. They often take on a slightly greenish hue. Complementing that base color is two vivid stripes. The first is a …
Average Size
- The average size of a full-grown Black Neon Tetra is usually around 1.5 inches in length.Sometimes specimens can reach 1.6 inches but that’s pretty uncommon. Because of their small size, it can be hard to tell the difference between the large fish and smaller ones!
Black Neon Tetra Care
- Black Neon Tetra care is relatively easy as long as you have the right information. This is no different from many of the other species in the tetra family. This species tolerates a wide range of conditions and is pretty easy to please. This makes these fish great for beginners (or experienced aquarists looking for something low-maintenance). As long as you provide the essentials, you sh…
Behavior & Temperament
- Black Neon Tetras are gentle and passive. They don’t exhibit aggressive behavior at all. Even in groups, males usually aren’t territorial (behavior that is quite common with other species). Speaking of groups, it’s very important to point out that Black Neon Tetras are schooling fish. During the day, the group will explore the tank together. They often move in unison, creating a ni…
Tank Mates
- Because these fish are so small, you’ll need to choose tank mates that won’t eat them for lunch! Avoid any large or potentially aggressive fish. Keep the tank peaceful to avoid any injuries or accidents. As we mentioned earlier, the best tank mates are going to be other Black Neon Tetras. At the very least, keep a group of six together. Any fewer and the fish might not have the confide…
Black Neon Tetra Breeding
- Black Neon Tetras frequently breed in captivity. In many cases, spawning occurs naturally in the community tank. To ensure the survival of the fish fry, we recommend setting up a separate breeding tank. All you need is a small 10-gallon tank. Add dark sand substrate, plenty of plants, and subdued lighting. Then, introduce your bonded pair. Condition the pair with live foods. Over t…
Closing Thoughts
- Black Neon Tetra care is about as easy as it gets. These fish are a joy to own and can be owned by aquarists of all experience levels. We hope you consider giving this species a shot. Even though many fishkeepers flock to their more popular relatives, these cute little fish have a lot to offer too! As always, we’re more than happy to answer any of your questions if you reach out to …