When you get black neon tetra, the first thing you ask is about its lifespan. How long does black neon tetra live? How can you increase Black neon tetra’s lifespan?
Black Neon tetras are more or less like regular neon tetras, and similarity runs towards lifespan as well. Black neon tetras live up to 5 years in captivity on average but up to 10 years in their natural habitat.
Several factors like temperature, water quality, diet, tankmates, etc. play an important to decide the lifespan of Black Neon Tetras.
Wondering and swirling your head around the lifespan of black neon tetra will not give you the answers you want. Let us dive in to know the detailed study about black neon tetra and their lifespan.
How Long Does Black Neon Tetra Live For?
The answer to this question depends on the place where black neon tetras are residing. The lifespan in their natural habitat is different than their lifespan in captivity.
Black neon tetra as already answered, has a lifespan of 5-10 years in their natural habitat, whereas the lifespan shortens to 5 years when they are kept in an aquarium.
Learn more about Lifespan of Tetra Fish | Keeping you Tetras Healthy and Happy from here.
Factors That Determine The Lifespan Of Black Neon Tetra
Several factors contribute to making a black neon tetra live its fullest in captivity. Here is the list of the factors that directly or indirectly affect the lifespan of the Black Neon Tetra.
Tank Size
Every Neon Tetra demands an appropriate tank according to their number in a school. The same goes for Black Neon Tetras.
You can grab details about Black Neon Tetra Profile: Care, Diet, Tank Mates, Lifespan – All Helpful Information from here.
The ideal tank size for black neon tetra is 20 gallons for the school of 6 or more members. Besides, they are schooling fish and thrive when the appropriate school size is given along with the ideal tank size.
Tetra Aquarium 20-Gallon Fish Tank Kit, Includes LED Lighting and Decor is the best 20-gallon tank for the tetra fish.
Water Quality
Water quality affects all the fish if the ideal condition is not met. Not only this but Black neon tetra needs the water clean and ammonia-free just like any other neon tetra.
If you are curious about Neon tetras, you can read from our other article, Neon Tetra: A Complete Care Guide For Beginners.
Change in water quality stresses and eventually kills your black neon tetras. The ideal water requirements are:
pH range: 6- 6.65 is ideal but they adjust from 5.5 to 7.5.
Hardness: 5 or 6 GH is ideal; however, they adjust well between 4-8 GH and in softer water too.
You can learn more about Water Parameters for Tetra Fish: Stable Water Condition.
Water Temperature
The slightest change in the temperature brings issues in your fish that you will never want. Likewise, Neon tetras are sensitive to the slightest fluctuation of temperature.
The ideal temperature for Black Neon Tetras is 72 to 80° F. For this, you can buy a submersible heater. AQQA Mini Submersible Aquarium Heater is the best in the market for tetras at an affordable price.
Learn how to Maintain the Tetra Fish Tank Temperature Without Heater | Power Outage.
Diet
Food is the prime source of nutrients; these tetras need an appropriate diet to live well in captivity. As with any other neon tetra, you need to feed them timely and in an appropriate amount.
The ideal food size is what they can eat within 2 minutes or equal to the size of their eye. Moreover, overfeeding and underfeeding leads to ammonia fluctuation that can be toxic to these black neon tetras.
Oxygen Level
Failure to reach the oxygen level needed for a fish can shorten the lifespan of fish as well as worsen the condition of plants present in the tank.
Here are the 10 best aquarium plants for the tetra tank if you are looking for some.
Tankmates
Larger fish eat up these small tetras, so it is better to avoid adding any larger fish to the tetra tank.
And the fish with the same temperament, water requirements, and size can be suitable tankmates for these black neon tetras.
Stress And Diseases
Any change in the tank stress the fish out, and unwanted chemical or physical changes cause disease to this fish.
Likewise, stress and diseases are the very factors that shorten the lifespan of the fish.
Increase the horizon of your knowledge about Tetra Fish Diseases and Treatments.
How Can You Increase The Lifespan Of Black Neon Tetra?
The process to increase the lifespan is quite simple if you look at a few things carefully.
Tank Size
Make sure you get the appropriate aquarium before getting black neon tetras.
Diet
Make sure to feed your tetras twice a day with the ideal amount of food. You can feed them dry or frozen flake food, and can also give them live or frozen bloodworms, brine shrimps, mosquito larvae, etc.
Some of the best foods that I would suggest are:
- Nature’s Path Organic Heritage Flakes Cereal
- Ocean Nutrition Instant Baby Brine Shrimp 0.7-Ounces (20 Grams) JarBrine shrimp
- Exotic Nutrition Bulk Dried Black Soldier Fly Larvae (10 lbs.) – High-Calcium Insect Treat
- 9 OZ Matured Micro worm Mega Culture – Ready to Harvest – Live Fish Food
- SAN FRANCISCO BAY Brand Freeze Dried Bloodworms 1.75oz
- Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm 500 Count Red Wiggler Live Composting Worms
Water Quality
Using a filter helps to clean the water and make it appropriate for you fish.
Water Temperature
Here comes the role of the heater, this very aquarium heater maintains the ideal temperature of the water.
Hiding Places
Fish, too, need to get away from constant swimming and hide when getting scared. Besides, different ornaments, plants, etc. help the fish to hide around and the stress is subtracted easily.
Fear and other factors stress the fish which in turn invites death sooner.
Environment
The place where you keep your tetra tank should be far from direct sunlight and probably be the room with a constant temperature.
Oxygen Level
Air pumps help to create surface agitation and increase the oxygen present in the water.
Tankmates
Neon tetras, rasboras, danios, gouramis, as well as some other tetras do well with these Black Neon Tetras.
Stress And Diseases
The simple way to remove the stress is to provide enough plants and ornaments in the tank so that tetras can hide when they get scared or bored.
Diseases can be subtracted by just maintaining proper tank conditions, and quarantining new fish before adding it to the tank with other black neon tetras.
How Can You Know Whether Your Black Neon Tetra Is Sick Or Not?
Fish starts to behave sluggish, discolored, and inactive when they are sick.
Their feeding habit and fins start to change. Moreover, they start to rub and scratch their body against various tank materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Black Neon Tetras Live With Neon Tetras?
Yes, these two can live in the same tank but will not school together due to their peaceful and similar tank requirements.
Is Black Neon Tetra Hardy?
Yes, Black Neon Tetra is a hardy fish as they are quite easy to feed and supposedly adapt quickly to new tank conditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Black Neon Tetra is an ideal fish for beginners, you can do simple things and have a happily floating fish for years. Just remember to be careful with the factors that can affect their health and can stress them out.
Related articles:
- Tetra Fry Care – How to Care for Baby Tetras?
- Are Tetra Tropical Fish? Tetra Origin and Habitat
- Are Tetras Fin Nippers? Are They Aggressive?
- Do Tetra Fish Sleep? How Do They Sleep?
- Are Tetras Schooling Fish? – Easy Schooling Fish
