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Black Phantom TetraFamily: Characidae Hyphessobrycon megalopterusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More thanks for your answer nm123 With 'mock' battles between males, the attractive Black Phantom Tetra is one of the most interesting fish to keep!Phantom Tetra Contents Not only is the Black Phantom Tetra a very hardy and popular fish, it is also a most curious fish. If two males are kept together they will have 'mock' battles, fortunately they do not injury each other. Another curiosity is that the males are not quite as strikingly colored as the females. But they both have the typical "tetra" shape. This shape is oval from the side view and compressed laterally. This attractive tetra is one of the easiest fish to keep. It is very active and can be kept in pairs or in schools. It is also very peaceful with its tank mates and a prolific breeder. The Black Phantom Tetra doesn't require exacting water conditions in order to thrive. It is much less demanding of its environment than its cousin, the Red Phantom Tetra Megalamphodus sweglesi, which is similar in appearance but has a redish tinge to its body.. For more Information on keeping this fish see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Black Phantom Tetra was described by Eigenmann in 1915. They are found in South America in upper Paraguay and Guaporé River basins, Rio San Francisco and central Brazil. They feed on worms, small insects and crustaceans.
- Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
- Social Grouping: Groups - Best kept in groups or in pairs.
- IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed
The Black Phantom Tetra males are not quite as strikingly colored as the females. But they both have the typical "tetra" shape. This shape is oval from the side view and compressed laterally. These fish have a large black patch behind the gills but in front of the dorsal fin and the anal fin is edged in black. The tailfin and the dorsal fins start out gray near the body, but quickly fade into large black areas.
- Maximum Size: 1.8 inches (4.45 cm)
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner
Since they are omnivorous the Black Phantom Tetra will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Yes
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Some of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly
- Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L)
- Substrate Type: Any
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 72.0 - 82.0° F (22.2 - 27.8° C)
- Range ph: 6.0-7.5 - 6.5 preferred
- Hardness Range: 1 - 20 dGH - 10° preferred
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: All
They are generally a good community fish that can be kept in schools, or in pairs. If two males Black Phantom Tetra are kept together they will act as if they are fighting but will not actually hurt each other.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - This school fish requires a group of at least five of its own kind.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive (): Threat
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
- Plants: Safe
The female is more beautifully colored with red adipose, pectoral, and anal fins. The male is more of a smoky gray color and his dorsal fin is larger than the females'.
Recommended conditions: pH 5.5 - 6.0, below 4° dGH, low light levels. The Black Phantom Tetras are egg layers and very easy to breed. The eggs are very susceptible to fungus, however, and so should have very little light.
See the description of egg laying fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.
- Ease of Breeding: Easy
The Black Phantom Tetra is readily available and is inexpensive.
Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants
Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants
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