Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

A graceful dark tetra with elegant fins; males flare their dorsal in display. Hardy and perfect for peaceful planted tanks.

Care Parameters

Adult size

3.5 cm

Min tank

54 L

Temperature

20–28°C

5–7

1–12 dGH

Diet

Omnivore

Temperament

Peaceful

Water zone

Middle

Difficulty

Beginner

Schooling

School of 6 or more.

Suitable Plants

Pygmy Chain Sword

Care profile for Pygmy Chain Sword: medium light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Cryptocoryne beckettii

Care profile for Cryptocoryne beckettii: low-medium light, low CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Vallisneria spiralis

Care profile for Vallisneria spiralis: medium light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Sagittaria

A hardy rosette plant with broad, arrow-shaped leaves. Sends runners to form a grass-like carpet. Tolerates a wide range of conditions, suitable for beginners.

Dwarf Sagittaria

Care profile for Dwarf Sagittaria: low-medium light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Compatible Invertebrates

Amano Shrimp

The classic algae-eating workhorse shrimp, unmatched for clearing hair algae from planted tanks. Hardy at 3-15 dGH, but never breeds in freshwater: its larvae need brackish water, so all reports of 'Amano babies' in freshwater tanks are actually other shrimp species.

Blue Crayfish

A selectively bred color morph of the red swamp crayfish with brilliant blue coloration. Hardy and active, but will eat plants and harass tank mates.

Great Ramshorn Snail

The large, coiled ramshorn that doubles as a cleanup crew and a living water-quality alarm. Every individual is hermaphroditic, so any pair can breed - populations explode only when overfeeding creates a feast, and they shrink right back once feeding is cut back.

Golden Back Yellow Shrimp

A bright yellow color morph of Neocaridina davidi with a distinctive golden back stripe. Hardy, prolific breeder, and excellent algae consumer for planted tanks.