Black neon tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 27, 2026Research-based

The black neon tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) has a pearly white stripe above a black one and red eyes (Aquarium Co-Op). Despite the name, it isn't a true neon: Aquarium Co-Op says it belongs to the same genus as ember, serpae and lemon tetras. It comes from the upper rio Paraguai around the Pantanal in Brazil (Seriously Fish). Seriously Fish says it is bred commercially in several countries, so wild fish are no longer collected, and an albino form exists. Aquarium Co-Op praises its strong constitution and robust health and often recommends it to people starting a new aquarium.

Black neon tetra at a glance

Will black neon tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: usually not. Aquarium Co-Op says black neons usually leave adult dwarf shrimp alone.
• Shrimplets: yes, when they find them. Aquarium Co-Op says they will opportunistically eat any babies they find, and Practical Fishkeeping warns that pretty much any active fish, even a small tetra, treats hatchling shrimp as food.
• Eggs and berried females: safe. Shrimp carry their eggs under the tail.

Black neons feed mostly in the upper and middle water (Aquarium Co-Op), which in our reading means shrimplets sheltering in moss on the bottom have a better chance. For comparison, see neon tetras with shrimp, cardinal tetras with shrimp and ember tetras with shrimp, or the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 68–82 °F, pH 5.0–7.5 and 1–12 dGH for black neons, and Maidenhead Aquatics says captive-bred fish adapt to a wide range of conditions. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 72–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 4–8 suits both comfortably. This is one of the easier tetra matches for Neocaridina. See shrimp tank pH and GH and KH explained.
• With crystal and other Caridina: black neons tolerate soft, slightly acidic water, and their range reaches down to about 68–72 °F (Seriously Fish), so the two can overlap at the cool, soft end. That sits near the black neon's lower limit, so watch the fish closely (our reading). See crystal red shrimp care.

Keep conditions steady at water changes. See shrimp tank water changes and shrimp water parameters.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 31 × 12 in. Aquarium Co-Op keeps 6 in a 10-gallon and 10–15 in 20 gallons or more.
• Cycled tank: they are hardy, but shrimp are not; start with a mature tank. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Plants and cover: Seriously Fish suggests sand, driftwood, dense planting and leaf litter. Dense moss gives shrimplets cover (Aquarium Co-Op). See java moss for shrimp and driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Shrimp-safe intake: a sponge filter or pre-filter keeps shrimplets out of the filter (our suggestion). See shrimp-safe filters.

Keep a real school

Seriously Fish recommends a mixed-sex group of at least 8–10, alongside other schooling fish for security; Maidenhead Aquatics says groups of 6 or more. Mature females are deeper-bodied and a little larger than males (Seriously Fish). In a mature tank, a few fry may appear on their own (Seriously Fish), though adults eat eggs (Aquarium Co-Op).

Other good tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small catfish and small, non-predatory cichlids. Aquarium Co-Op adds rasboras, other tetras and corydoras, and has kept them with larger fish such as angelfish and gouramis. Those bigger fish are not shrimp-safe, in our reading. See pygmy corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp, harlequin rasboras with shrimp and pygmy hatchetfish with shrimp.

Feeding both

Black neons eat small invertebrates, crustaceans and plant matter in the wild (Seriously Fish, Aquarium Co-Op). Aquarium Co-Op feeds krill flakes, nano pellets, frozen cyclops, Daphnia and baby brine shrimp, and Maidenhead Aquatics suggests flake, micropellets, Daphnia and mosquito larvae. They feed in the upper and middle water, so feed them first, then drop sinking shrimp food in a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add black neon tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish.
• Acclimate slowly to your water. See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimplet numbers for the first few weeks.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a hardy fish means shrimplets are safe.
• Adding the larger tankmates Aquarium Co-Op mentions, such as angelfish, to a shrimp tank.
• Too few plants and no moss for baby shrimp.
• Keeping only a few fish.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will black neon tetras eat cherry shrimp?

Usually not adults. Aquarium Co-Op says black neons usually leave adult dwarf shrimp alone but will opportunistically eat babies.

Are black neon tetras related to neon tetras?

Not closely. The black neon is a Hyphessobrycon, in the same genus as ember and lemon tetras, while the neon is a Paracheirodon (Aquarium Co-Op).

What water do black neon tetras need?

Seriously Fish lists 68 to 82 °F, pH 5.0 to 7.5 and 1 to 12 dGH. With cherry shrimp, about 72 to 78 °F and pH 6.5 to 7.5 suits both.

How many black neon tetras should I keep?

At least 8 to 10 (Seriously Fish). Aquarium Co-Op keeps 6 in a 10-gallon tank or 10 to 15 in 20 gallons or more.

How big do black neon tetras get?

About 1.4 inches (35 mm standard length) per Seriously Fish; Aquarium Co-Op says 1 to 1.5 inches with a deeper body than a neon.

Are black neon tetras good for beginners?

Yes. Aquarium Co-Op calls them hardy and often recommends them for new aquariums, and they are captive-bred (Seriously Fish).

Sources: Seriously Fish, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi (black neon tetra) (upper rio Paraguai, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul; commercially produced in several countries, wild fish no longer collected; albino form; 35 mm SL; base 80 × 30 cm; sand, driftwood, dense planting, leaf litter; 20–28 °C, pH 5.0–7.5, 1–12 dGH; omnivore; very peaceful; similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small catfish, non-predatory cichlids; mixed-sex 8–10; females deeper-bodied; fry may appear in mature tanks); Aquarium Co-Op, Care guide for black neon tetras (same genus as ember, serpae and lemon tetras; hardy, recommended for new tanks; 1–1.5 in with a taller body than neons; bolder, upper half of the tank; 72–80 °F, pH 5–8, soft to moderately hard; 6 in 10 gallons, 10–15 in 20 gallons+; kept with angelfish, eartheaters, gouramis, rasboras, other tetras, corydoras; usually leave adult dwarf shrimp alone but opportunistically eat babies; krill flakes, nano pellets, cyclops, Daphnia, baby brine shrimp; adults eat eggs); Maidenhead Aquatics (fishkeeper.co.uk), Black neon tetra (4 cm; 23–27 °C; mostly captive-bred; pH 5.5–7.5, dH 1–18; groups of 6+; flake, micropellets, Daphnia, mosquito larvae); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (dense foliage hides babies); Practical Fishkeeping, Can I safely add some shrimp? (any active fish, even a small tetra, sees hatchling shrimp as food); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (build the colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zones, shrimp-risk reading and stocking suggestions are our own.