From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Black Phantom Tetra
Megalamphodus megalopterus
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
- pH
- 5 – 7
- Min. tank size
- 75 L
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Megalamphodus megalopterus |
| Family: | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Origin: | South America (upper Paraguay and Guaporé basins) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | omnivore |
| Max Size: | 3.60 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 8+ together |
| Varieties: | Few cultivated strains, and the wild fish is what people buy. A long-finned black phantom is produced and occasionally traded, which is an odd choice in a species whose males already carry enlarged fins. An albino or "white phantom" form appears rarely. Most trade fish are commercially bred and quality is generally good. The species to distinguish it from is the red phantom tetra, Megalamphodus sweglesi — a separate species with a red body and a black shoulder blotch, frequently sold alongside it and sometimes described as a colour form. It is not. The yellow phantom and various other small characins are also traded under phantom names. Both phantoms were returned to Megalamphodus by a 2024 revision after decades inside Hyphessobrycon, so shop labels still carry the old genus. All are peaceful community tetras with similar requirements, so mixing them causes no husbandry problem — it simply means a "shoal" of twelve split across three species is three small groups, and the male display works less well in each. |
| Lifespan: | 5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:75 L
- Substrate:Dark sand/gravel; planted with swimming space
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate
Black Phantom Tetra (Megalamphodus megalopterus) is a species of fish in the family Acestrorhamphidae. It is native to South America (upper Paraguay and Guaporé basins). The black phantom tetra is a small, smoky-grey characin with a black shoulder blotch ringed in iridescent blue-green, and the males spend their lives posturing at each other. That display is the reason to keep it. Males carry enlarged black pelvic, dorsal and anal fins, and two rivals will square up side by side, fins fully spread, holding position for seconds at a time. It is harmless, it is constant, and it needs several males present to happen at all. Females are the more colourful sex in one respect — their pelvic, anal and adipose fins are reddish where the male's are black. It comes from South America, reaches 36 mm standard length, and specialists call it very peaceful and an ideal resident of a well-researched community aquarium. The stated group size is a mixed-sex group of at least eight to ten.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 8+
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Black Phantom Tetra
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