Black phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, Megalamphodus rogoaguae
Family
Acestrorhamphidae (American tetras; formerly Characidae)
Origin
Upper rio Madeira system (rios Guaporé, Beni and Mamoré) in Bolivia and western Brazil, and the upper rio Paraguai; quiet, heavily vegetated backwaters.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
3.6 cm
Temperature
22–28°C
pH
5–7.5
Hardness
Soft to medium, 1–12 dGH
Minimum tank
72 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

A very peaceful, easy-going tetra that suits a well-planned community tank. Keep at least 8–10; the males spar and display their big black fins to each other and to the females, which is a large part of the appeal. A tank with a base of 80 × 30 cm (about 70 litres) is the minimum. It looks best either in a heavily planted tank or in a more natural set-up with sand, driftwood roots and branches and a layer of dried leaf litter, which also grows microbes the fish will graze on. Fairly subdued lighting and some floating plants help the colours. Keep it at around 22–28°C in soft to moderately hard water (1–12 dGH) with a pH roughly 5.0–7.5, slightly acidic being ideal. It is popular and bred commercially in several countries, so tank-bred fish are the norm, and a long-finned strain is also sold. Recent research moved it from Hyphessobrycon to the revived genus Megalamphodus, but you will still see the old name on most labels. Almost all black phantoms in the trade are captive bred, and a long-finned variety is sometimes sold. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/hyphessobrycon-megalopterus/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Hyphessobrycon-megalopterus.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackphantomtetra). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Probably an omnivore feeding on small invertebrates in the wild. It will live on dried foods, but does best on a varied menu: a good flake or micro-pellet plus regular live or frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Daphnia and Moina.

Breeding

An egg scatterer with no parental care. Use a dimly lit breeding tank with mesh on the bottom or a clump of fine-leaved plant such as Java moss, and remove the adults once eggs are laid. Start the fry on Paramecium or a very fine (5–50 micron) proprietary fry food, then move on to Artemia nauplii. Adult males have black, enlarged dorsal, anal and pelvic fins; females are deeper-bodied and usually show reddish pelvic, anal and adipose fins.

Compatibility and tank mates

Good with other similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, Corydoras and other small catfish, and peaceful dwarf cichlids. Avoid large or nippy fish.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].