▷ Red phantom tetra in the aquarium | All information and details

Data sheet Red Phantom Tetra

German name:
Red Phantom Tetra

Scientific name:
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

Origin:
South America

Size:
4 to 4.5 cm

Aquarium

Length:
Minimum – length: 80cm / width 40cm

Contents:
From 100 liters

water values

Temperature:
20°- 24° C

GH:
5 – 15 °dGH

pH:
5.5 – 7.5

CH:
up to 10 °dKH

Behave

Area:
lower and middle range

Lining:
Live food, flake and frozen food

Behave:
mostly peaceful

Number:
Schooling fish, from 10 animals

Difficulty level:
Beginner fish, breeding is difficult

Appearance / appearance of the red phantom tetra

The Red Phantom Tetra is also under the name Swegles tetra known. He belongs to the family of Real Tetra (Characidae) and the genus Hyphessobrycon. Its natural habitat is the tributaries of the Orinoco. There it is to be found preferably in dense, overgrown areas near the banks of small freshwater bodies.

The typical identifying features are:

The physique shows a diamond-shaped, slightly high-backed and laterally strongly flattened shape.

• The basic color is slightly pink to orange and becomes almost reddish towards the back.
• The ventral side is faintly yellowish.
• During courtship, the males take on a reddish coloration.
• There is a black shoulder patch behind the gills.
• The dorsal fin is high and black above.

Comparison of red and black phantom tetras

attitude

The phantom tetra finds its place in the community tank (Blackwater). The greening consists of dense planting at the edge and large-leaved floating plants Hide and to shadowing. There must be enough free space for swimming. The Water should have a gentle current.

The fish wants in small groups being held. If he lives alone, he becomes shy and hides a lot. It is generally a docile species. When threatened, several fish will form a protective shoal. The males stress during the breeding season territorieswhich they also vehemently defend.

A lot has a positive effect on the well-being of the animals place to swim in the lower and middle aquarium room. The nitrate content must not be higher than 20 mg/l and the nitrite content not be higher than 0.1 mg/l. In order to reduce fresh water and the germ density, a partial water change at intervals of 1-2 weeks advisable. The planting consists of dense and fine-leaved plants such as Java Moss and Hornwort. The pool should be shaded or not strongly lit.

food

The Hyphessobrycon sweglesi is considered omnivore. It mainly feeds on small live food such as fruit flies and mosquito larvae. But he also likes to eat flake food, frozen food and dry vegetable food. Regular feeding is done daily.

gender differences

The female and male red phantom tetras are easy to distinguish from each other. The male’s dorsal fin is slimmer and longer than that of the female and has a black spot at the top. The female’s dorsal fin is significantly smaller than that of the male. The black spot is larger and shows a white to orange border.

During courtship and fighting, the male’s unpaired fins and pelvic fins turn red.

breeding and rearing

The breeding tank must have a minimum size of about 60 l and a height of about 30 cm. It should darkened be. The suitable water is clear, low in nitrate and soft. It measures below 5° dGH and has a pH of around 5.5-6.0. As in the regular aquarium, the planting consists of dense and fine-leaved plants as well as floating plants.

The breeding tanks should preferably be occupied by a pair that is fed live food. The spawning of up to 500 eggs takes place in open water. Since the parent fish are among the spawn robbers, the tank should have either a spawning grid be installed or the parents are to be removed from the tank. At a water temperature of 20°-22° the fish larvae hatch after about 1 day. After about 5 days they swim around freely.

socialization

Basically, the red phantom tetra is a sociable and predominant peace loving fish. He feels most comfortable in small groups of at least 10-12 animals. The number of females should be greater than that of males.

A socialization with quiet and small species is possible. He gets along well with almost everyone other tetra species and non-predatory aquarium inhabitants.
We recommend a socialization with subspecies of the armored catfish.

FAQs – Frequently asked questions about red phantom tetras:

How old do red phantom tetras get?

With good attitude, life expectancy is possible – age of up to 6 years

Can you keep red phantom tetras with shrimp?

Yes – it can only happen that the tetras pursue the offspring of shrimp and this ends up on the menu.

Why are there red, black and yellow phantom tetras?

There are different forms and sometimes also cultivated forms of the same species.