Golden Phantom Tetra - Megalomphodus roseus

The yellow phantom tetra, which is often also called the golden phantom tetra, is scientifically known as Megalomphodus roseus or Hyphessobrycon roseus. Native to French Guiana in South America, this small tetra is great to keep in a soft water aquarium and prefers the strength of its school. The peaceful tetras can also be easily socialized, which makes them ideal co-inhabitants for a community aquarium.

They have a high-backed body with a dorsal fin set far back, as well as the typical tetra adipose fin. The anal fin is long. The black shoulder spot on the otherwise rather mouse-gray to transparent basic color is remarkable. The mouth is terminal, its eyes are large. The orange-blue fins have white fin tips. When fully grown, they reach a size of about 4.5 cm.

The lively fish  can be kept in an aquarium from 54 liters, but they get their strength from the group, which is why they should be kept with at least 8-10 animals. In addition to sufficient swimming space, they also need dense weeds in places in the aquarium, so that they can retreat and recover. A sufficiently dimensioned filter should be installed, in order to ensure always perfect water parameters, also the regular water change is obligatory. The aquarium water is with 4-15 °dGH rather soft to medium hard and should also have a pH value of 6.5-7.5. 22-28 °C are ideal for the pretty fish. The use of alder cones or sea almond tree leaves are recommended for their care.

The Golden Phantom Tetra requires very soft water for breeding. A separate spawning tank is best suited, as the parents tend to spawn predators. This should be equipped with coarser aquarium gravel, on which Java fern, Java moss or hornwort. The selected breeding pair should be placed in the food very well before spawning and removed from the spawning tank immediately after the spawning act. The young can be fed with slipper animals and later on raised with Artemia Nauplii raise.

With other peaceful fish, which come from similar water parameters, they can be socialized prima and are therefore ideally suited for a so-called black water or South American tank. Invertebrates like snails or shrimps are usually not attacked too much, but it can happen that it feeds careless shrimp youngsters. Optimal species are therefore very reproductive species such as Neocaridina davidi, but also Neocaridina palmata. Also suitable is the popular Amana shrimp. Due to the different water parameters, dwarf crayfish, on the other hand, are only suitable to a limited extent.

The golden phantom tetras are omnivores, which can be fed in the aquarium without problems with any conventional ornamental fish food for omnivorous species. In addition to flakes, they also eat granules, but can of course also be fed fine live or frozen food such as Daphnia, Artemia or Mosquito larvae spoil them.

Our food recommendation: The 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: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free from 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.