▷ Black Phantom Tetra | All information & details

Data sheet Black Phantom Tetra

German name:
Black phantom tetra

Scientific name:
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

Origin:
South America (in the upper Rio Paraguay, Rio Guaporé and Lago Mapava basins (Bolivia and Brazil))

Size:
Body length 4.5cm – 5cm

Aquarium

Length:
Length from 100 cm width

Contents:
from 60 liters

water values

Temperature:
22°-29° C

pH:
6 – 7.5

GH:
1° – 15° dH

Behave

Area:
middle area

Lining:
small flake food, live mosquito larvae, wafers, crisps, jelly food, Artemia, dry food, live food, frozen food

Behave:
lively, happy to swim, social, peaceful, territorial, can be socialized with other species without any problems

Number:
Schooling fish, at least 8 animals

Difficulty level:
Beginner

Squawk, Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, CC BY 3.0

If space in the aquarium allows, a troop of phantom tetras should consist of at least 8 to 10 animals. It may then form pairs that swim together. There are also same-sex couples.

Like most tetras, black phantom tetras are schooling fish, although males are slightly territorial and form small territories.
The males stand relatively firmly in their territory. They put up all their fins and impress each other. This is exactly how courtship goes.

Sometimes phantom tetras will tilt for a short time as if looking at something. This is lateral imposing. This behavior can not only be observed in tetras. When several males are kept, lateral display is seen more frequently and for longer.

Depending on the aquarium population, phantom tetras are skittish, e.g. B. if they are kept together with copper tetras and nanacaras.

In the wild, black phantom tetras live in murky waters. Therefore, the lighting should not be too bright. The animals may then retreat to darker corners. They hide e.g. B. under an internal filter and come out when the lights are off.

In such cases, a dense covering of floating plants can help to darken the area. Suitable is z. B. Floating horn fern with its large leaves and sprawling root system.

A darkened 8 liter tank with a spawning grid is sufficient for breeding. A total hardness of 4°, a carbonate hardness of 1° and a pH value are suitable. The tank should stand with the breeding water for a few days. Then the breeding pair is used. The breeding pair can be used in the evening or in the morning. The pair spawn when in the mood, usually at dusk. If the pair has not spawned after 6 days, the breeding pair is picked out again. The water is replaced with fresh water. After a few days of rest, a new attempt is started.

Black phantom tetras are spawn predators.

Breeding of phantom tetras

Black phantom tetra Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Sychriscar

So that the phantom tetras To spawn the males and females are separated and with black mosquito larvae well fed. Then an attempt is made to put the animals in pairs to spawn. Females can sometimes be recognized by their thicker bellies. Breeding water must be soft and slightly acidic.

Fine-leaved plants are suitable as spawning substrate for tetras, e.g. B. tomentosum and java moss.

The water flow should not be too strong, especially in small breeding tanks.

The breeding tank is darkened by z. B. a tea towel is hung over it.

Phantom tetras will also spawn in community tanks. The spawn or the young are eaten quickly, depending on the stocking. As a rule, the eggs are eaten by the rest of the swarm before the eggs can be seen.