Hyphessobrycon melanostichos (Blue Black Banded Tetra)

07 June 2026

621

The Blue Black Banded Tetra (Hyphessobrycon melanostichos), often called the Lapis Tetra, is a striking addition to the aquarium hobby. Originating from Brazil's Rio Tapajós basin, this peaceful schooling fish captivates aquarists with its brilliant iridescent blue body, bold black lateral stripe, and active, engaging schooling behavior.

Hyphessobrycon melanostichos (Blue Black Banded Tetra)

Overview

The Blue Black Banded Tetra (Hyphessobrycon melanostichos) is a relatively recent and highly sought-after introduction to the aquarium hobby. Revered for its breathtaking iridescent blue coloration and bold contrasting markings, this active little fish is a true gem for planted aquariums. They are generally hardy, making them suitable for aquarists who can provide a stable, well-maintained environment.

Image of blue black banded tetra hyphessobrycon melanostichos

Distribution and Habitat

This species is native to South America, specifically found in the Rio Tapajós basin in Mato Grosso, Brazil. They naturally inhabit clear to slightly tannin-stained streams and tributaries with moderate water flow. Their natural environment is characterized by sandy substrates, submerged roots, and a scattering of leaf litter which provides both shelter and foraging opportunities.

Description of Blue Black Banded Tetra

Body shape:

They possess a classic tetra profile that is laterally compressed and slightly deep-bodied, allowing them to navigate swiftly through the water column.

Color:

Their coloration is their most defining feature. The upper half of the body exhibits a brilliant, highly reflective iridescent blue. A thick, solid black lateral stripe runs horizontally from the operculum (gill cover) all the way into the caudal peduncle, contrasting sharply with a silvery-white lower belly.

Barbels:

Like other characins, they do not possess any barbels.

Snout:

They have a relatively short, blunt snout typical of the Hyphessobrycon genus, with a slightly upturned mouth adapted for mid-water feeding.

Eyes:

The eyes are proportionately large and expressive, often featuring a subtle golden or reddish metallic hue in the upper portion of the iris.

Fins:

The dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are largely translucent, though they may display subtle hints of white, yellow, or pale blue depending on the lighting and the fish's diet.

The Tail:

The caudal (tail) fin is deeply forked and primarily clear, allowing the stark black body stripe to stand out prominently.

Temper

These tetras are known for their peaceful and easy-going temperament. They are not fin-nippers and generally ignore other species, making them excellent community tank residents.

Sociality

They are highly social, obligate schooling fish. To feel secure and display their best colors and natural behaviors, they must be kept in groups of at least 6 to 8 individuals, though a school of 10 or more is highly recommended.

Activity

Blue Black Banded Tetras are very active mid-water swimmers. They spend the majority of their time darting around the aquarium, playfully interacting with conspecifics, and exploring their environment.

Keeping and Caring for Blue Black Banded Tetra

Tank size:

A minimum tank size of 60 liters (15 gallons) is required for a small school, but a larger aquarium of 75 liters (20 gallons) or more is ideal to provide adequate swimming space for their active nature.

Water Parameters:

Temperature

They thrive in warm tropical waters, with ideal temperatures ranging between 24-28°C (75-82°F).

pH

A slightly acidic to neutral pH is preferred, optimally between 6.0 and 7.2.

Hardness

Soft to moderately hard water is best, with a general hardness (dGH) of 2-10.

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate

As with most fish, Ammonia and Nitrite must always remain at 0 ppm. Nitrates should be kept as low as possible, ideally below 20 ppm, through regular water changes.

Lighting

Moderate to dim lighting is preferred. Bright lights can wash out their iridescent colors and make them skittish; floating plants are excellent for diffusing light.

Water flow

They appreciate a moderate water flow that simulates the currents of their native Brazilian streams.

Decorations and Plants

A heavily planted setup with driftwood, smooth rocks, and dried botanicals (such as Indian almond leaves) mimics their natural habitat perfectly. Ensure there is plenty of open swimming space in the center of the tank.

Diet

In the wild, they are micro-predators and omnivores, feeding on tiny invertebrates, zooplankton, and detritus. In the aquarium, they are unfussy and will readily accept a wide variety of foods.

Some Feeding Tips

Provide a high-quality staple diet of micro-pellets or crushed flakes. To bring out their spectacular blue iridescence, frequently supplement their meals with live or frozen foods such as Daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms.

Breeding

Breeding the Blue Black Banded Tetra is typical of egg-scattering characins. They offer no parental care and will eat their own eggs if given the chance. To breed them, set up a dedicated, dimly lit spawning tank with very soft, slightly acidic water and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. Condition the adults with high-protein live foods, introduce them to the breeding tank, and remove them immediately after spawning is observed. The fry will hatch in a few days and require infusoria until they are large enough to eat baby brine shrimp.

Conclusion

The Blue Black Banded Tetra is an absolutely stunning species that brings an eye-catching splash of iridescent blue and deep black to any freshwater aquarium. With their peaceful demeanor, active schooling behavior, and relatively straightforward care requirements, they make a fantastic choice for both intermediate and experienced aquarists looking to elevate their community setups.

Fish info

Care level: Easy - Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 3.5 - 4 cm
Life expectancy: 3-5 years
Fish type: Tetra
Temperature : 24-28°C
pH: 6.0-7.2
Color Form: Black, Blue, Silver

Related on Fishs

Leave your comments

Latest on Fishs

Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis)

Moderate - Difficult

Large Central American cichlid

The Nicaraguan cichlid is a robust Central American species known for its changing gold, orange, blue and black patterning. It is often sold under the older name Cichlasoma nicaraguense, while Hypsophrys nicaraguensis is the generally accepted current placement. This is a territorial fish requiring substantial space, strong filtration and carefully planned tank mates. The supplied listing describes a pair, but sex, compatibility and breeding condition cannot be independently verified from the source image alone.
Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leerii)

Easy - Moderate

Peaceful freshwater labyrinth fish

The pearl gourami is a peaceful, labyrinth fish recognized by its pearly spots, dark midlateral stripe, and warm orange throat. It originates in vegetated, slow-moving waters of Southeast Asia and is generally suitable for a calm community aquarium. A pair needs stable, warm water, dense cover, gentle flow, and access to atmospheric air at the surface.
Moonlight Gourami (Trichogaster microlepis)

Moderate

Southeast Asian labyrinth fish

The moonlight gourami is a peaceful, laterally compressed labyrinth fish from mainland Southeast Asia. Its silvery body, long thread-like pelvic fins and calm, deliberate swimming make it a distinctive community-aquarium species. Although the supplied source identifies a pair, sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the images alone. Provide a spacious, mature aquarium with gentle flow, dense planting and access to humid air above the water. It is generally hardy once acclimated, but it appreciates stable conditions and should not be housed with fin-nipping or highly aggressive tank mates.
Keyhole Cichlid (Aequidens maronii)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The fish supplied is consistent with the keyhole cichlid, commonly listed as Aequidens maronii and currently placed by many authorities in the genus Cleithracara. It is a relatively peaceful South American cichlid recognized by its dark keyhole-shaped marking, subdued body coloration and interesting parental care. A pair needs a mature, well-filtered aquarium with soft surroundings, hiding places and stable water quality. Although generally manageable, it becomes territorial while spawning and should not be kept with boisterous or fin-nipping tank mates.
Marble Gourami (Cosby Gourami), Trichopodus trichopterus

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami, commonly sold as the Cosby gourami, is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. It is a labyrinth fish that can breathe atmospheric air and generally occupies the upper and middle levels of a planted aquarium. This species is usually hardy, but adult males may become territorial, particularly when spawning. The supplied images show several color forms, so exact strain identification is not certain; the fish are best treated as marble or related cultivated forms of T. trichopterus.
Marble Gourami, Gold-Orange Form (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, a labyrinth fish from mainland and island Southeast Asia. The supplied trade label identifies these fish as a gold-orange pair, although commercial names and appearance can vary, so the exact cultivated form is not fully certain. They are generally hardy community fish, but males may become territorial, especially when spawning. Provide warm, stable water, surface access, dense planting, and gentle filtration.
Honey Gourami Gold (Trichogaster chuna)

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish suited to planted freshwater aquariums. The supplied source identifies a gold pair as Colisa chuna, an older name now generally treated as Trichogaster chuna. The photographs show orange-gold individuals, but sex and exact variety cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Provide gentle flow, surface access, dense cover and calm tank mates for best results.
Honey Gourami (Colisa chuna) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish from the slow-moving waters of South Asia. Aquarium specimens may be natural honey-colored fish or selectively bred red and orange forms, like those shown here. The supplied images appear consistent with honey gourami, although sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the photographs. A planted aquarium with gentle flow, surface cover, stable warm water and calm tank mates suits this species well.
Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Labyrinth fish; freshwater anabantoid

The blue gourami is a hardy labyrinth fish suited to a spacious, planted community aquarium. It is the blue color form of the three-spot gourami, a species that can become territorial, particularly when males mature or spawn. Provide gentle filtration, access to warm humid air above the water, hiding places, and a varied diet. The supplied images clearly show blue gouramis, although photographs alone cannot confirm sex or verify that every pictured fish belongs to the same color form.
Giraffe Perch (Nimbochromis venustus) Care Guide

Difficult

Lake Malawi predatory haplochromine cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus is a large predatory haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, known in aquariums as the giraffe perch or giraffe cichlid. Juveniles are comparatively subdued, while adults develop blue facial tones and yellow, olive or gold body coloration with darker markings. The supplied listing describes two 4 cm fish as a pair, but sex cannot be confirmed reliably at that size. This species requires a spacious, rocky aquarium and carefully selected tank mates.
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The dwarf gourami is a small labyrinth fish from vegetated, slow-moving waters of South Asia. Trichogaster lalius is generally peaceful, colorful and suitable for a planted community aquarium, although males can become territorial, especially around a bubble nest. A pair needs warm, stable water, gentle circulation, surface access and plenty of cover. The supplied identification is consistent with dwarf gourami, though color varieties and sex should be confirmed by physical examination.
Five-Bar Cichlid (Neolamprologus tretocephalus)

Difficult

Lake Tanganyika rock-dwelling cichlid

The five-bar cichlid, also called the five-striped cichlid, is a robust Lake Tanganyika predator with a dark blue-gray body marked by five broad black bars. Neolamprologus tretocephalus is territorial and can become highly aggressive, particularly when spawning. It suits experienced aquarists who can provide a spacious, rock-structured aquarium, alkaline hard water, and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied label identifies this fish as a pair, but sex and exact locality cannot be confirmed from the available information.
Gardner’s Splendid Carp (Fundulopanchax gardneri)

Moderate

West African killifish

Gardner’s splendid carp is a small West African killifish valued for its iridescent body, red markings and patterned fins. The supplied image appears to show a brightly colored male, while the source identifies a pair; exact locality form and sex of every fish cannot be confirmed from the available evidence. It is generally peaceful, though males may spar, and it is best kept in a covered, mature aquarium with gentle flow, subdued lighting and abundant plant cover.
Pelvicachromis taeniatus Nigeria Red

Moderate

West African dwarf cichlid

Pelvicachromis taeniatus, commonly known as the striped krib or taeniatus cichlid, is a small West African riverine cichlid valued for its parental behavior and locality-based color variation. “Nigeria Red” identifies a trade form or collection locality rather than a separate species. The supplied source label also calls these fish emerald perch, but that common name is not a standard scientific name. This species is generally manageable for experienced beginners when provided with stable, clean water, hiding places and a carefully planned community aquarium.
Apistogramma agassizii ‘Fire Red’

Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii is a small South American cichlid valued for its intricate markings, elongated fins and interesting parental behavior. “Fire Red” is a selectively bred aquarium color form rather than a separate species. The supplied listing describes a pair, although sex, locality and breeding-line identity cannot be confirmed from the available material. This species suits a mature, planted aquarium with soft, clean water, subdued lighting, cover and a fine substrate.
Cockatoo Cichlid Orange (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

Easy - Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

The Cockatoo Cichlid is a small South American dwarf cichlid known for its elongated dorsal fin, bold facial markings and colorful orange fin forms. Apistogramma cacatuoides comes from slow-moving waters and tributaries of the upper Amazon basin, where it shelters among leaf litter, roots and submerged vegetation. It is generally manageable for an aquarist who provides soft, clean water, caves and visual barriers. The supplied listing describes an orange pair, but sex and exact form should be confirmed by the seller because photographs alone are not definitive.