Black Diamond Neon Tetra

Black Diamond Neon Tetra, Hyphessobrycon matae, is a South American characin native to the Orinoco and northern Amazon drainage systems of Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, and northern Brazil. It inhabits slow-moving streams, tributaries, flooded forest margins, and quiet river channels where submerged roots, leaf litter, branches, and marginal vegetation provide abundant cover. These waters are typically warm and range from clear to tannin-stained depending on locality.
Adult Black Diamond Neon Tetras typically reach about 1.5 to 2 inches in length. Their appearance is considerably more dramatic than the name “neon tetra” might suggest. The body has a silvery to smoky gray base with a strong metallic sheen that can reflect blue, green, violet, and steel tones depending on lighting. A broad, intensely dark black band extends along the middle of the body and becomes especially prominent toward the rear, producing the high-contrast “black diamond” appearance for which this trade form is prized. Above the dark coloration, the upper body catches the light with a bright reflective silver to bluish sheen, while the fins may develop subtle yellow, orange, or reddish tones. Mature, well-conditioned specimens become increasingly dark and reflective, creating an impressive combination of jet-black markings and metallic highlights when maintained in a school.
A tank of at least 20 gallons is recommended for a proper school, though larger aquariums allow their group behavior and coloration to be appreciated more fully. Black Diamond Neon Tetras should be maintained in groups of at least eight, with larger schools creating a particularly impressive display. The aquarium should provide open midwater swimming space combined with plants, driftwood, branches, and shaded areas around the perimeter. Dark substrate and lush green plants provide an especially attractive backdrop for their black and metallic coloration.
Water conditions should remain stable and clean. Temperatures between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are appropriate, with a pH range of approximately 5.5 to 7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. Hyphessobrycon matae is relatively adaptable once established, but regular water changes, good filtration, and stable parameters help maintain excellent health and coloration.
Black Diamond Neon Tetras are omnivorous micropredators that naturally consume small insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, zooplankton, and other tiny aquatic organisms. In the aquarium they readily accept quality flakes, micro-pellets, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, bloodworms, and other appropriately sized foods. A varied diet containing regular frozen or live foods helps produce their strongest body condition and coloration.
Temperament is peaceful, active, and social. Black Diamond Neon Tetras are excellent community fish and coexist well with Corydoras, pencilfish, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, peaceful gouramis, other similarly sized tetras, and a wide variety of non-aggressive community species. Maintaining a substantial school helps them feel secure and encourages the natural group interactions that make the species particularly attractive.
Breeding is possible in captivity. Like many Hyphessobrycon, they are egg scatterers that deposit eggs among fine-leaved plants, mosses, or spawning media. Adults provide no parental care and may consume the eggs, so breeders typically separate the adults after spawning. Soft, slightly acidic water and subdued lighting generally provide the best conditions for successful reproduction.
Hyphessobrycon matae is an unusual and striking tetra that offers a dramatically different appearance from the familiar brightly colored neon-type species. Its deep black lateral coloration, shimmering metallic body, manageable size, and peaceful schooling behavior make the Black Diamond Neon Tetra an exceptional choice for planted community aquariums, where a large group creates a constantly shifting display of black, silver, blue, and violet reflections.