Black phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
A calm, deep-bodied tetra with a black shoulder patch; males with tall dorsal fins put on harmless sparring displays.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.4 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 23 gallons
- Group
- 8+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia
- Origin
- Upper Guaporé and Paraguay basins (Pantanal), South America
- Hardier than87%
- Bigger than16%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Black phantom tetra tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- DemasoniDemasoni (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Black phantom tetra.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Black phantom tetra.Risky
- Rainbow sharkRainbow shark (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Black phantom tetra.Risky
- Red-tailed black sharkRed-tailed black shark (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Black phantom tetra.Risky
- Zebra mbunaZebra mbuna (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Black phantom tetra.Risky
- African dwarf frogAfrican dwarf frog eats small fish: Black phantom tetra (очень мелкие рыбы и мальки).Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Black phantom tetra: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Black phantom tetra: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Black phantom tetra: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Black phantom tetra: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Black phantom tetra: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Black phantom tetra: prey body depth 1.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for black phantom tetras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 3.6 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 1.85 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.44 BU
- Min. water
- 72 L net
- Min. footprint
- 80 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 8+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- deep bodied, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Hyphessobrycon megalopterus · FishBase: Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Care notes
Black phantom tetras come from oxbows and backwaters of the upper Guaporé and Paraguay rivers in the Pantanal. Males grow a large dorsal fin and square off in ritual displays that rarely cause damage.
Keep eight to ten in a 20 gallon tank or larger with a 31-inch footprint. They are very peaceful and colour up best in soft water among plants.
Questions
What size tank does a black phantom tetra need?
At least 23 gallons (72 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.4 inches without fins.
How many black phantom tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 8, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do black phantom tetras need?
72–82 °F, pH 6–7 and 1–12 dGH. Black phantom tetras come from Upper Guaporé and Paraguay basins (Pantanal), South America.
How long do black phantom tetras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with black phantom tetras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.