Black Phantom Tetra

Black Phantom Tetra, scientifically known as Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, is a graceful and peaceful freshwater tetra loved for its smoky grey body, dark shoulder mark, and elegant finnage. This species is a great choice for aquarists who want an active yet non-aggressive schooling fish that looks especially striking in planted aquariums with dark substrate and gentle lighting.

When kept in a group, Black Phantom Tetras display more confident behaviour and better colour contrast. Their calm nature makes them suitable for community setups with other small, peaceful fish, and their unique shadowy appearance creates a beautiful contrast against green plants and open swimming space.

Key Features

• Appearance: Slim-bodied tetra with a translucent smoky-grey sheen and a signature black patch behind the gill area, giving it a dramatic phantom-like look.
• Size: Usually grows to around 4 to 4.5 cm in home aquariums, making it ideal for nano to medium community tanks.
• Colors: Soft silver-grey to charcoal tones with darker fins and a distinct black shoulder blotch; males may show slightly more pronounced finnage.
• Lifespan: With stable water quality and proper feeding, they can live around 3 to 5 years in a well-maintained aquarium.
• Temperament: Peaceful and social; best kept in schools to reduce shyness and minor fin-nipping behaviour within the group.
• Water Type: Freshwater species suited to stable, clean tropical aquarium conditions.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: A tank of at least 60 litres is recommended for a proper school, with more space preferred if keeping them in a mixed community setup.
• Water Parameters: Best kept at 22 to 28°C with a pH of about 6.0 to 7.5. Soft to moderately hard water works well when parameters remain stable.
• Diet: Omnivorous and easy to feed; accepts quality micro pellets, flakes, crushed granules, and occasional live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworms.
• Tank Mates: Good companions include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, small gouramis, and calm livebearers. Avoid large aggressive fish that may stress them.
• Care Tips: Keep them in a group of at least 6 to 8, though larger schools show better behaviour and visual impact. Provide plants, shaded areas, and open swimming room for the best display.
• Aquascape Preference: They look most attractive in planted tanks with driftwood, darker backgrounds, and subdued lighting that enhances their smoky body pattern.

Black Phantom Tetra is a dependable choice for aquarists building a peaceful freshwater community aquarium. For best colour, comfort, and schooling behaviour, introduce them to a mature tank with stable filtration and keep them in a healthy group rather than as single specimens or pairs.