Black Phantom Tetra – Megalamphodus megalopterus

Species name: Megalamphodus megalopterus

Synonym: Megalamphodus megalopterus

Common name: Black Phantom Tetra

Family: Characidae

Order: Cypriniformes

Class: Actinopterygii

Maximum size: 4.5 cm / 1.75 inches

Environment: freshwater

Origin: South America - Brazil

Temperament: Peaceful

Company: Are suitable for community aquariums.

Water parameters: Temperature 22-28°C / 72-82°F. ph. 6.0- 7.5

Aquarium setup: They prefer a clean well planted aquarium and enjoy more dimmed lighting which can be achieved with floating plants.

Black Phantom Tetra

Character: They are very peaceful and make a beautiful addition to any community tank. They live for up to 5 years and if well fed can show stunning colors. A glittery sheen in males with the side spot truly shining in neon white – the males will often have little territorial dances with each other where they keep their dorsal and pelvic fins high up and erect and dance around each other, they do so in a peaceful manner and do not hurt each other. Preferably they should be kept with at least 10 with even numbers of males/females. They are not known to nip fins of other fish like other tetra’s.

Feeding: They are not fussy eaters and accept most foods including flake food.

Breeding: They are easy to sex, males have long black dorsal and pelvic fins and the females have shorter red colored fins which can cause some confusion with some stores thinking they are two different species. For breeding a breeding tank needs to be set up (5 gallons is fine) and the PH lowered to 5.5 and the hardness of the water to 4 dGH. Condition a pair with live foods (white mosquito larvae works very well) and then place them into the breeding tank – the male will start a very elaborate mating dance and the female will release upto 300 eggs each spawn. Remove the pair as they will eat their own eggs. Fry can be fed with freshly hatched atermia and after ten days will accept finely crushed flake food.

Pictures by www.fishaliciousfish.blogspot.com