Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

The Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) is a very beautiful freshwater fish for the aquarium. This high-backed tetra likes to live in a shoal and therefore needs the company of at least 10 conspecifics. It can be kept very well together with other peaceful fish. When socializing with dwarf shrimp , keep in mind that baby shrimp may be eaten. Dwarf crayfish, on the other hand, will leave the Black Phantom Tetra alone. Since it spends most of its time at the top and in the middle of the aquarium, it fits in quite well with the rather peaceful faction of small scissor knights.

The Black Phantom Tetra has strikingly beautiful fins. The caudal fin and the large dorsal fin, which is especially noticeable in the male, are colored, and the elongated anal fin has a black fringe. The pectoral fin, on the other hand, may be bright orange in color. Black tones dominate in the male, but reddish tones in the female. The eye is crossed by a longitudinal black line, and behind the eye is a longitudinal line, also black, slightly larger and thicker, framed by two white-bluish shorter lines in such a way that the pattern looks almost like a peacock-eye butterfly. The body color of the fish is silvery transparent, females may also be reddish in color. The black phantom tetra grows to only about 4.5 cm in length.

In nature Hyphessobrycon megalopterus lives in shady streams and lakes with warm and acidic, very soft water and with a high humic content. In the aquarium, too, this sociable schooling fish wants soft to medium-hard water and an acidic to neutral pH. Clean water is a must, and regular water changes help keep the aquarium as organically unpolluted as possible. The tank should be well planted as well as provide adequate swimming space. Black phantom tetras can be kept from 54 liters. They will live up to 6 years in the aquarium.

Breeding the neon tetra is rather difficult, but possible in rather acidic soft water (pH 6.5). Dense planting with moss helps to prevent the parent fish from eating the eggs, a spawning grid would also do a good job. As free spawners, the females of the Black Phantom Tetra simply lay the eggs in the open water where they sink. Since the parents predate quite heavily on the spawn, they should be removed from the breeding tank after the eggs are laid. The fish larvae take only a few days to hatch and are raised on small live foods such as rotifers, slipper lizards or Artemia nauplii after they swim freely.

Black phantom tetras are omnivorous and can be perfectly fed in the aquarium with an appropriate high-quality flake food or granulated food for omnivorous aquarium fish. These fascinatingly beautiful ornamental fish are also happy to receive animal food in the form of frozen food, freeze-dried food or small live food such as Artemia euplii.

Our food recommendation: This NatureHolic Main Feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.