{"product_id":"black-emperor-tetra-nematobrycon-palmeri-freshwater","title":"Black Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Emperor Tetra\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eNematobrycon palmeri\u003c\/em\u003e var. \"Amphiloxus Black\") is a striking all-black color morph of the classic Emperor Tetra — same hardy, peaceful temperament with a deeper, smokier finish that pops against green plants and dark substrate. Tank-bred, beginner-friendly, and an excellent shoaling addition to South American or general community aquariums. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep in a shoal of 6 or more — a group of 8–10 brings out the best color and natural behavior.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons minimum for a small shoal; longer tanks (29+ gal) give them swimming room and reduce male sparring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 73–81°F (23–27°C).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.5–7.5 — slightly acidic to neutral. Adapts to a wide range when acclimated slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderately hard, 3–15 dGH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration \u0026amp; flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle to moderate flow. Tannin-stained \"blackwater\" setups with driftwood and leaf litter show off the dark finish beautifully.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Densely planted edges with open mid-tank swimming space. Floating plants soften lighting and encourage display behavior.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quality micro flake, crushed pellets, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Variety brings out color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack Emperor Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNematobrycon palmeri\u003c\/em\u003e var. \"Amphiloxus Black\"\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCharacidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTank-bred (parent species: Colombia — San Juan \u0026amp; Atrato river basins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5–6 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize at Purchase\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eApprox. 1–1.25 in (adult ~2 in \/ 5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful shoaler. Mature males display and spar mildly during courtship but rarely cause damage when kept in a proper group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall South American tetras — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bleeding-heart-tetra-hyphessobrycon-erythrostigma-freshwater\"\u003eBleeding Heart Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful bottom dwellers — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-laser-corydoras\"\u003eOrange Laser Corydoras\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mixed-cory-catfish\"\u003eMixed Cory Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActive dither schools — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSouth American dwarf cichlids — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolivian-ram-cichlid\"\u003eBolivian Rams\u003c\/a\u003e make an excellent biotope-style pairing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePencil fish, hatchet fish, otocinclus, and other peaceful small community species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large or aggressive fish (cichlids beyond rams, larger barbs, gouramis with bullying tendencies), notorious fin-nippers, and very tiny shrimp (adult emperors will pick at shrimplets — adult \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rili-red-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eNeocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e usually coexist if there's enough cover).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein staple that brings out color\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all aquarium nutrition\u003c\/a\u003e — micro pellets, frozen foods, and treats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eFreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e — densely planted edges suit blackwater tetras best\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/maintenance-water-care\"\u003eWater conditioners \u0026amp; care\u003c\/a\u003e — for stable, well-aged water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eShop more freshwater fish \u0026amp; supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is the Black Emperor Tetra different from the standard Emperor Tetra?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThey are the same species (\u003cem\u003eNematobrycon palmeri\u003c\/em\u003e) — the \"Amphiloxus Black\" line is a selectively bred color morph with a deeper, sootier black extending across the body and fins. Care is identical to the standard form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nA minimum of six, but eight to ten will give you the most natural behavior and the best color. Solo or pair-kept emperors tend to be shy and lose color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they fin-nippers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nGenerally no. Males posture and chase one another briefly during display, but they don't pursue tank mates the way some other tetras do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need a \"blackwater\" tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo, but they thrive in one. Dim lighting, dark substrate, driftwood, and tannin-stained water (from leaf litter or botanicals) bring out the deepest blacks and the violet-blue iridescence in the eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48777308668123,"sku":"FW1-F1120","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/10_1200x_ea0d8eb0-ad6b-4a77-bb99-7295c993336e.webp?v=1778864903","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-emperor-tetra-nematobrycon-palmeri-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}