Photo: Krächz (CC BY 3.0) — via Wikimedia Commons
Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus)
A stunning mid-water schooler with a ghostly black shoulder blotch and — in males — a sweeping dark dorsal fin that makes it look twice its size.
Will it live with a Black Phantom Tetra?
We compare each fish against your black phantom tetra on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.
- Amano Shrimp✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Axelrod's Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Axelrod's Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Bandit Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Bandit Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Blue Turbo Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Checkered Barb✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Checkered Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Cherry Barb✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Cherry Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Chocolate Gourami✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Hard care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 25–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Chocolate Gourami in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Cochu's Blue Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Cochu's Blue Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Firehead Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Firehead Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Five-banded Barb✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Five-banded Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Forktail Blue-eye✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Forktail Blue-eye in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Gold Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Gold Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Half-striped Penguin Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Half-striped Penguin Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Harlequin Rasbora✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Harlequin Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Honey Gourami✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Horseman Cory✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Horseman Cory in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Japanese Trapdoor Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 10–28 °C (50–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Julii Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Julii Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Lemon Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 23–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Lemon Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Masked Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Masked Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Mystery Snail✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Panda Corydoras✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Panda Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- X-ray Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep X-ray Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Yellow Tetra✅ CompatiblePeaceful · 4.5 cm · Easy care · 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)
- Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
- Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Yellow Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Ruby Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Black Ruby Barb is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~100 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Black Ruby Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Black Skirt Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Black Skirt Tetra and Black Phantom Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add black phantom tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Black Skirt Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Desert Goby⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Desert Goby and Black Phantom Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add black phantom tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Dwarf Chain Loach⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Dwarf Chain Loach in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Eastern Betta⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Eastern Betta is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Ghost Shrimp⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 4 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra may eat Ghost Shrimp or pick off its shrimplets — a densely planted tank with moss gives them a fighting chance.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Ghost Shrimp in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- GloFish Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
- GloFish Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep GloFish Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Humpbacked Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Expect Humpbacked Tetra to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Humpbacked Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Morse Code Corydoras⚠️ With cautionPeaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Morse Code Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Odessa Barb⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
- Expect Odessa Barb to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Odessa Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Peaceful Betta⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Peaceful Betta and Black Phantom Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add black phantom tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Silvertip Tetra⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- Silvertip Tetra and Black Phantom Tetra are close in size, but the semi-aggressive one tends to dominate — add black phantom tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Smaragd Betta⚠️ With cautionAggressive · 6 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Smaragd Betta and Black Phantom Tetra are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add black phantom tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotfin Betta⚠️ With cautionSemi-aggressive · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
- Spotfin Betta is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Striped Red-Eye Puffer⚠️ With cautionAggressive · 5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Striped Red-Eye Puffer is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wine Red Betta⚠️ With cautionAggressive · 5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Wine Red Betta and Black Phantom Tetra are close in size, but the aggressive one tends to dominate — add black phantom tetra in a group to spread the pressure.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 250 cm predatory alligator gar — it will be eaten.
- Alligator Gar clearly outsizes Black Phantom Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
- Clown Knifefish clearly outsizes Black Phantom Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Fire Eel⛔ Not recommendedSemi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 100 cm predatory fire eel — it will be eaten.
- Expect Fire Eel to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Koi⛔ Not recommendedPeaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Size gap is too large (120 vs 4.5 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Black Phantom Tetra as food.
- Expect Redtail Catfish to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
- Expect Spotted Gar to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
- Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
- Expect Wels Catfish to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
- Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommendedAggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
- Size gap is too large (72 vs 4.5 cm): Wolf Cichlid will treat Black Phantom Tetra as food.
- Wolf Cichlid clearly outsizes Black Phantom Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
- Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
- Keep Black Phantom Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.
Black Phantom Tetra care specs
- Care level
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Max size
- 4.5 cm (1.8 in)
- Min tank size
- 60 L (15.9 gal)
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Swim level
- Middle
- Group size
- 6+ (shoaling)
- Family
- Characidae
- Origin
- South America — Paraguay River basin (Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay)
What is a Black Phantom Tetra?
The Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) is a small South American characin that earns its name from the bold black blotch, edged with a metallic shimmer, sitting just behind each gill cover. Males push the drama further with an outsized dorsal fin of pure velvety black held erect during display — making a 4.5 cm (1.75 in) fish look genuinely imposing in the water column. Females are warmer in tone, with reddish-orange tints on the pelvic and anal fins that contrast attractively against the silver-grey body. Peaceful, adaptable and visually striking, the Black Phantom Tetra has been a fixture of the community aquarium hobby for decades.
Where do Black Phantom Tetras come from?
Wild Black Phantom Tetras are native to the Paraguay River basin, spanning parts of Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. Their home waters are slow-moving to still — shaded forest streams and flooded margins where leaf litter accumulates, producing tannic, soft, dimly lit conditions. Captive-bred stock is more adaptable than the wild origin implies, but the fish colours up best and breeds most readily when kept in soft, slightly acidic water that echoes those clearwater and blackwater rivers.
What size tank do Black Phantom Tetras need?
The minimum for a group of six is 60 litres (16 US gal); for eight to ten fish a 80–100 L (21–26 gal) tank is more appropriate. Choose a longer, wider footprint over a tall column — these are active mid-water swimmers that need horizontal space. Dense planting along the sides and back with some open swimming area in the centre suits them well. A dark substrate and subdued or diffused lighting (floating plants help) bring out the contrast of the black shoulder blotch and dorsal fin and encourage the fish to venture into open water rather than hiding in the corners.
What water parameters do Black Phantom Tetras need?
- Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F); 24–26 °C is the practical sweet spot.
- pH: 6.0–7.5; slightly acidic (6.2–6.8) brings out the best colour and supports spawning.
- Hardness: 2–12 dGH; soft water below 8 dGH is ideal, though captive-bred stock tolerates moderately hard tap water for everyday keeping.
Stability matters more than chasing exact numbers. Weekly partial water changes of 25–30% and a gentle filter flow (they are not built for current) cover most of what the species needs.
What do Black Phantom Tetras eat?
Black Phantom Tetras are omnivores that accept virtually any food small enough to fit their mouth. A quality fine-grade flake or micro-pellet forms the staple; supplement regularly with live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, micro-worms or bloodworms. Varied feeding maintains condition, promotes vivid colour in males and supports breeding readiness.
Feed small amounts once or twice a day and remove uneaten food promptly. They intercept food mid-water as it sinks, so sinking wafers aimed at bottom-dwellers may be ignored when there is no competition.
Are Black Phantom Tetras peaceful — and what can they live with?
Black Phantom Tetras are peaceful community fish with one caveat: males will spar with each other through slow-motion display — fins spread, circling — but genuine biting and injury are uncommon provided the group is large enough and the tank has enough space and visual breaks. Keeping at least six fish spreads any rivalry and produces natural group schooling; eight or more is even better. A single male with no rivals or with a very small group often becomes timid rather than confident.
They are excellent companions for other small, peaceful South American species — cardinal tetras, rummy-nose tetras, corydoras catfish, dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma, and small rasboras all work well. Avoid large or boisterous fish that will stress or outcompete them at feeding, and avoid confirmed fin-nippers (many tiger barbs, for example) that may target the males’ showy dorsal fins.
For a complete, filterable list of compatible and incompatible species, see Black Phantom Tetra tank mates.
How do you tell male from female Black Phantom Tetras?
Black Phantom Tetras are among the easiest tetras to sex, making it one of their appeals as a community fish.
Males are slimmer in the body and carry the species’ signature feature: a dramatically enlarged dorsal fin that is entirely black. When erect during display it can equal or exceed the fish’s body depth, giving males a genuinely striking profile. Their overall body colouration tends to be slightly darker and more silver-black than females.
Females are somewhat deeper-bodied, particularly when carrying eggs. Their dorsal fin is smaller and more modestly shaped. The diagnostic feature is colour: the pelvic and anal fins in females show a warm reddish-orange tint that males lack entirely. A ripe female also develops a noticeably rounded belly compared to the slimmer male profile.
In young fish under roughly 2 cm the differences are not yet apparent, but by the time they reach sale size at around 3 cm, sexing is usually clear even through a shop tank glass.
How do Black Phantom Tetras breed?
Breeding is achievable for hobbyists willing to set up a dedicated spawning tank, which we rate at medium difficulty — not because the fish are fussy, but because raising fry requires attention to fine detail.
Condition a pair or a small group (extra females reduce pressure on individuals) with live and frozen foods for a week or two. The spawning tank can be small — 20–30 L — with very soft, acidic water (pH 6.0–6.5, below 5 dGH), dim lighting, a sponge filter on its lowest setting, and fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. Black Phantom Tetras scatter eggs and provide no parental care; remove adults promptly after spawning or the eggs will be eaten.
Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours at 26 °C; fry are free-swimming a few days later. Start with infusoria or liquid fry food, transition to baby brine shrimp nauplii as they grow, and keep the rearing tank dim — fry are sensitive to rapid parameter shifts.
What diseases affect Black Phantom Tetras?
Black Phantom Tetras are generally hardy fish. The diseases most likely to appear are the same ones that trouble small tetras broadly:
Ich (white spot): Salt-grain white spots and scratching — caused by temperature instability and stress. Gradual temperature adjustment and improved water quality are the first response.
Fin rot: Ragged, receding fin edges, almost always a water-quality issue. Consistent water changes and good filtration prevent it.
Neon tetra disease (microsporidian): Colour loss and wasting. No reliable cure exists; a strict quarantine period for all new fish is the best defence.
Velvet (Oodinium): Fine gold or rust-coloured dusting. Often introduced on new fish or plants; quarantine tanks with subdued lighting make early detection easier.
Health note: disease diagnosis and medication dosing are beyond the scope of a care profile. If you observe unusual behaviour, loss of colour or physical symptoms, confirm the diagnosis against a reputable fish-health source before treating. Fixing water quality is always the first step.
How long do Black Phantom Tetras live?
With attentive care, Black Phantom Tetras live 3–5 years. Fish kept in soft, clean water with a varied diet and a stable planted environment regularly reach the upper end of that range. Most stock sold in stores is captive-bred and in good condition, so buying young fish in a group of six or more gives you the best chance of seeing the full lifespan. Consistent water quality, appropriate group size and a low-stress environment are the variables that matter most — all straightforward to provide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Black Phantom Tetra the same as the Black Skirt Tetra?
No — they are separate species. The Black Skirt Tetra is Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, which has a broader, skirt-like anal fin and a different body shape. The Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) has a distinctive shoulder blotch, a more compressed oval body, and striking dimorphism between the sexes.
How many Black Phantom Tetras should I keep together?
Keep a minimum of six. In smaller numbers they can be timid and may show mild fin-sparring among males. A group of eight or more produces the best schooling behaviour and spreads any minor male rivalry across the whole group.
What you need to keep a black phantom tetra
The baseline is a heated, filtered 60 L+ tank: a reliable heater to hold 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), a gentle filter that won't batter a black phantom tetra in the current, and a tight-fitting lid. Cycle the tank fully before adding any fish.
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