Black Phantom Tetra 3.5cm

Black Phantom Tetra

The Black Phantom tetra is a beautifully striking species that comes from South America. These are bold-looking tetra and will be a great schooling species for a community or even a biotope system. This fish is usually overshadowed by the more common species like neons or cardinals but will make for a great, slightly larger growing. Their delicate look, peaceful nature, and active behaviour really do make them the perfect fish to add some volume to a system.

The Black Phantom Tetra is easily recognisable by its translucent silver-grey body with a prominent black patch near the gills, giving it the appearance of a "phantom." Males display more intense coloration, often with a darker, more prominent black patch and elongated dorsal and anal fins that take on a dark, smoky appearance. Females are generally lighter with a rounder body and have a reddish tint to their fins. These tetras typically reach a maximum length of 4.5 cm, making them an ideal size for community tanks. Black phantom tetras are similar to other long-fin, oval-body species like white fin ornate, bleeding heart, and black widow tetras but are very different in their coloration which makes them great candidates for blackwater systems as well.

Black phantom tetras are egg scatterers and relatively easy to breed. After a courtship dance, the female scatters her eggs among fine-leaved plants, which are then fertilised by the male. There is no parental care provided, and removing the adults after spawning is advised to prevent egg predation. The male boasts a more slender and intensely coloured body compared to the female and also has longer fins. The best method of success in breeding would be to put a single male with a pair of females into a 40-litre aquarium with a spawning mop or java moss. After spawning the parents can be taken out and the fry can be raised.

Tank Recommendations for your Black Phantom Tetra
Black phantom tetras are best housed in a densely planted 70-litre or larger tank with plenty of swimming space. Since these are mid-water fish they really are not fussed with the hardscape or substrate choices in an aquarium. A blackwater, hardscape only, or even planted aquarium will be fine however they would stand out best in the latter option. They prefer soft, slightly acidic water with temperatures between 24 - 28°C and a pH of 5.5 - 7.0. Providing a darker background and substrate can help intensify their colours as well.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Black phantom tetras are peaceful and fare well with a variety of small, non-aggressive tankmates.

Usually Compatible
Other small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, peaceful barbs, Corydoras, and small peaceful loaches.

Sometimes Compatible
Gouramis and Angelfish. While generally peaceful, these species can sometimes show a territorial behaviour.

Rarely Compatible
Aggressive, predatory, or large species that can easily stress, harm, or eat the small Black phantom tetras.

Feeding your Black Phantom Tetra
Black phantom tetras are a very easy fish to feed. They will take a wide range of pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. Just like any fish though they should be fed a varied diet with a mix of different foods. The ideal diet would be a good quality micro slow-sinking pellet or crushed flake, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or even live foods like baby brine shrimp.