BLACK EMPEROR TETRA

Is it or isn’t it a standalone species? Some sources cite the fish as Nematobrycon amphiloxus, but this is generally rejected by the scientific community, and the fish is just a darker coloured morph of the equally gorgeous Emperor tetra, N. palmeri.

Okay, it isn’t rare, and it might not even be especially challenging, but I’m flagging this fish as the specimens Premier had on sale were absolutely flawless, and were striking enough to stop me in my tracks.

Set up in a tank with a dark substrate, heaps of leaf litter and some strategically placed plants, these were my surprising ‘must have’ fish for the trip. With piercing blue eyes set against an almost ebony body (often these fish can be pale, washed out, or slightly sheened in mucus) they could easily be the biotope inhabitants you never knew you needed.

Scientific name: Nematobrycon palmeri Pronunciation: Nem-at-oh-brigh-con pahl-merr-ee

Size: To 4.5cm

Origin: Appears endemic to Colombia

Habitat: Slow flowing rivers and tributaries

Tank size: 60x30x30cm

Water requirements: Soft and acidic to slightly alkaline water;

5.0-7.5pH, 2-12°H

Temperature: 24-27°C

Temperament: Peaceful community species, sometimes territorial with its own

Feeding: Easy to feed, offer flakes, pellets, live and frozen Daphnia, bloodworm

Availability and cost: Quite common but often a bit ‘meh’. These were on sale for £3.49 each or five for £16.