The black neon tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) of order Characiformes. It is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil.

This species is of typical elongated tetra appearance; it is of plain basic coloration but with two distinct, adjacent longitudinal stripes, white above black. The eye has two thin but distinctive color bands across the top, red above yellow. It grows to a maximum overall length of approximately 4 cm (1.5 in). Despite its common name, it does not particularly resemble the neon tetra, which belongs to a different genus.

The fish's natural diet consist of small invertebrates and plants.

H. herbertaxelrodi is commonly kept as an aquarium fish by hobbyists.

The black neon tetra is sometimes called the black tetra, but that name more properly refers to a different species, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi.

References

• "Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Hyphessobrycon&speciesname=herbertaxelrodi)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• "Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi" (TSN 162876) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=162876). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on 5 December 2004.