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Red Phantom Tetra
Megalamphodus sweglesi
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characiformes›Characidae
📍 Orinoco Basin, Colombia & Venezuela
Close relative of the Black Phantom Tetra with a vivid red body and black shoulder spot. Males develop tall dorsal fins and display to rivals. Peaceful and elegant in a soft-water planted aquarium.
Care Guide
Diet
Red Phantom Tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms. Feed small portions once daily, offering only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes. Occasional vegetable matter such as blanched spinach supports digestive health.
Behavior
These peaceful, schooling fish are most active during dawn and dusk, displaying elegant mid-water swimming patterns. Males exhibit competitive displays with their tall dorsal fins when establishing hierarchy within the school, but aggression remains minimal. They are shy and thrive best in groups of at least 6, becoming more confident and colorful in well-planted environments.
Breeding
Breeding Red Phantom Tetras in captivity is moderately difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), dense vegetation or spawning mops, and careful conditioning with live foods before spawning. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours, and fry are extremely small, requiring infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom-dweller with identical soft-water preferences; won't compete for mid-water space
Similar size, temperament, and water requirements; compatible schooling companion
Peaceful tetra with matching habitat needs and mid-water swimming zone
Peaceful and prefers soft water; ensure adequate space to prevent territorial disputes
Algae-eating invertebrate that shares soft-water preference and won't prey on adult tetras
Hardy plant that provides shelter and maintains water quality in planted setup
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28–30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich-specific medication; treat for 10–14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure pH and temperature stability
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, curved spine, erratic swimming, white stripe along lateral line
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, euthanize severely affected individuals to protect the school
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
White or gray film on body, mouth rot, fin deterioration, rapid breathing
Increase aeration, perform daily 50% water changes, treat with antibacterial medication; maintain water temperature at 24–26°C and reduce stress
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- diet
- omnivore
- maxSize
- 1.5 inches
- minTankSize
- 15 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C