The Black Phantom Tetra is a peaceful South American schooling fish admired for its smoky gray-black coloration, flowing fins, and distinctive “phantom” shoulder patch. It is a popular tetra for planted and community aquariums.

Overview

• Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

• Family: Characidae

• Origin: Bolivia and Brazil

• Adult size: 4–5 cm (1.5–2 inches)

• Lifespan: Around 4–6 years

Black Phantom Tetras are valued for:

• elegant dark coloration

• peaceful behavior

• active schooling displays

• compatibility with planted tanks

Appearance

Main characteristics:

• smoky silver to charcoal body coloration

• distinctive black shoulder patch behind the gills

• laterally compressed body

• flowing dorsal and anal fins

Males usually display:

• darker coloration

• longer fins

• stronger black tones

Females are typically:

• smaller

• lighter gray

• slightly reddish in the fins

High-quality specimens usually show:

• bold shoulder patch

• healthy finnage

• deep body shape

• active swimming behavior

Under subdued lighting, their dark coloration appears especially dramatic.

Natural habitat

In the wild, Black Phantom Tetras inhabit:

• slow-moving tributaries

• flooded forest areas

• calm streams

• soft-water river systems

Natural habitat features include:

• leaf litter

• submerged roots

• shaded water

• soft acidic conditions

Temperament

Black Phantom Tetras are:

• peaceful

• social

• mildly territorial among males

• active schooling fish

Recommended:

• keep at least 8–10 individuals

Males may perform:

• harmless display sparring

• fin spreading

• side-by-side dominance behavior

These displays rarely cause injury.

They are excellent community fish.

Aquarium setup

Minimum tank size

• Around 75 liters (20 gallons)

Ideal setup

• planted aquarium

• dark substrate

• driftwood

• open swimming areas

• subdued lighting

They thrive in:

• blackwater aquariums

• planted nature tanks

• soft-water community setups

Floating plants help reduce stress.

Water parameters

Recommended conditions:

• Temperature: 22–28°C

• pH: 5.5–7.5

• Soft to moderately soft water

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

• Low nitrate levels

Stable clean water improves:

• coloration

• fin condition

• activity levels

Diet

Black Phantom Tetras are omnivores.

Common foods:

• quality flakes

• micro pellets

• frozen bloodworms

• daphnia

• baby brine shrimp

• small live foods

A varied diet helps maintain:

• deep coloration

• finnage quality

• breeding condition

They mainly feed in the mid-water zone.

Compatibility

Suitable tankmates:

• rasboras

• peaceful tetras

• corydoras

• dwarf cichlids

• pencilfish

• peaceful gouramis

Avoid:

• aggressive cichlids

• fin nippers

• very large predatory fish

They do best with calm community species.

Breeding

Breeding is possible in soft acidic water.

Breeding behavior:

1. Pair formation

2. Courtship displays

3. Egg scattering among plants

4. No parental care

Breeding setup:

• dim lighting

• soft acidic water

• fine-leaf plants or spawning mops

Eggs usually hatch within:

• 24–36 hours

Fry foods:

• infusoria

• powdered fry food

• baby brine shrimp later

Adults may eat eggs and fry.

Common health problems

Stress fading

Caused by:

• small schools

• bright lighting

• unstable conditions

Fin damage

Possible causes:

• fin nippers

• poor water quality

Ich

Symptoms include:

• white spots

• scratching behavior

Good maintenance greatly reduces disease risk.

Care difficulty

Black Phantom Tetras are:

• beginner to intermediate-level fish

Main requirements:

• schooling groups

• stable water quality

• peaceful tankmates

• planted environment

They are generally hardy once established.

Difference from Red Phantom Tetra

Compared to Red Phantom Tetra:

• Black Phantom Tetras display smoky gray-black coloration

• Red Phantom Tetras show reddish or orange body tones

Both share similar body shape and behavior.

Why aquarists value them

Black Phantom Tetras are admired for:

• elegant dark coloration

• graceful fin displays

• peaceful schooling behavior

• suitability for planted aquariums

A large school moving through a dimly lit planted tank creates a calm and highly atmospheric freshwater display.