Black Phantom Tetra Tank Mates

Black Phantom Tetra is peaceful, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 140 freshwater species that pair well with a black phantom tetra — plus the 76 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

The best tank mates for a black phantom tetra

  • Ember Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Neon Green Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Ramshorn Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 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.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 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.
  • Dawn Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Assassin Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Endler's Livebearer ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Glowlight Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–26 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Gold Ring Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Neon Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 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.
  • Tail-spot Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 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.
  • Trinidad Guppy ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 19–24 °C (66–75 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 22–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Pygmy Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Glowlight Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 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.
  • Blue Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Emperor Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 23–27 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Flame Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 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.
  • Glowlight Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 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.
  • Golden Dwarf Barb ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Phoenix Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Red Phantom Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 22–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Rosy Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 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.

Black Phantom Tetra tank mates that can work with care

  • Afra Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 10 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    pH preferences only just meet (Black Phantom Tetra 6–7.5 vs Afra Cichlid 7.8–8.6) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
  • African Butterfly Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Expect African Butterfly Cichlid to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 9 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Expect Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Amazon Puffer ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Your 75 L tank is below the ~120 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Ash Lipped Apisto ⚠️ With caution
    Hard care · Semi-aggressive · 7 cm · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    Expect Ash Lipped Apisto to harass Black Phantom Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Auratus Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Aggressive · 11 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Different pH ranges (6–7.5 vs 7.6–8.8); doable if you sit in the shared band, but not ideal long-term.
  • Badis ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Badis is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Black Phantom Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.

+ 116 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Fish to avoid keeping with a black phantom tetra

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 300 cm predatory wels catfish — it will be eaten.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 250 cm predatory alligator gar — it will be eaten.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 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.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 100 cm predatory fire eel — it will be eaten.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
  • Koi ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Peaceful · 90 cm · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Black Phantom Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 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.

+ 68 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Check any fish against a black phantom tetra

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against a black phantom tetra, with the reasoning for each verdict.

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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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.
  • Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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.
  • Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Peaceful · 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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Peaceful · 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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Peaceful · 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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Aggressive · 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 caution
    Semi-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 caution
    Aggressive · 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 caution
    Aggressive · 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 recommended
    Aggressive · 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 recommended
    Aggressive · 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 recommended
    Semi-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 recommended
    Peaceful · 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 recommended
    Aggressive · 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 recommended
    Aggressive · 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 recommended
    Aggressive · 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 recommended
    Aggressive · 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.

Setting up a black phantom tetra community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 75 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.

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How to choose the right tank mates for a black phantom tetra

As a peaceful species, black phantom tetra is easily bullied — favour other calm, non-nippy fish and steer clear of boisterous or aggressive tank mates. It mostly occupies the middle of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Black Phantom Tetra grows to about 4.5 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 2 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 22–28 °C (72–82 °F), pH 6–7.5 and 2–12 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Black Phantom Tetra is a shoaling fish — stock a group of 6+ of its own kind first, then build compatible tank mates around them. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.

Frequently asked questions

Can a black phantom tetra live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 140 compatible freshwater species for black phantom tetra. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.

What is the best tank mate for a black phantom tetra?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Ember Tetra, Neon Green Rasbora, Ramshorn Snail. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with a black phantom tetra?

Avoid Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar, Redtail Catfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.

How big a tank do black phantom tetra tank mates need?

Start from Black Phantom Tetra's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 75 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.