Black Phantom Tetra

Overview

• The Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) is a peaceful, smoky-gray tetra with a black shoulder spot and large fins.
• Native to the upper Rio Madeira basin in Bolivia and western Brazil, and the Rio Paraguay basin.
• Grows to about 1.4 in (3.6 cm) standard length.
• Commercially bred in several countries. A long-finned strain is sometimes available.

Feeding

• Likely omnivorous, eating small invertebrates, algae and fallen fruit in the wild.
• Accepts dried foods, but does best with live or frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Daphnia and Moina.

Habitat

• A tank with a base of at least 31 × 12 in (80 × 30 cm).
• Sandy substrate, driftwood and leaf litter, or a heavily planted tank.
• Water: 68–82°F (20–28°C), pH 5.0–7.0, GH 1–12.

Fish Care

• Hardy and easy to keep in a well-maintained tank.
• Leaf litter supports microbes that give the fish extra food.

Compatibility

• Very peaceful. Good with similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small catfish and small non-predatory cichlids.

Aquarium Behavior

• Keep a mixed-sex group of at least 8–10.
• Males spar and display to each other with spread fins, but rarely do harm.

Breeding

• An egg scatterer with no parental care.
• Fry may appear in mature tanks, but a separate spawning tank gives better results.
• Use a dim tank with fine-leaved plants or mesh, as adults eat the eggs.