Product Details

Black Phantom Tetra – Megalamphodus megalopterus

Overview:

The Black Phantom Tetra is a peaceful, characterful South American shoaling fish with smoky silver body colour, a bold shoulder patch and dramatic black finnage in mature males. Unlike brighter neon-style tetras, Megalamphodus megalopterus has a more subtle, elegant appearance, but its display behaviour is one of the best features of the species. Males often spread their fins and “dance” around one another without causing serious harm, making this a fascinating choice for mature planted community aquariums.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Black Phantom Tetra
Other Names: Black Phantom, Phantom Tetra, Black Widow Phantom Tetra
Scientific Name: Megalamphodus megalopterus
Synonym / Older Trade Name: Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Black Phantom Tetra is native to South America, where FishBase records it from the upper Paraguay and Guaporé River basins.

In nature, it is associated with quiet, plant-filled waters and shaded margins. In the aquarium, it shows best in a mature planted setup with darker décor, floating plants, wood, gentle flow and open swimming space.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Black Phantom Tetras have a laterally compressed, diamond-shaped body with a pale silver to smoky grey base colour. A dark shoulder patch, often outlined with a paler border, gives the fish its “phantom” look. Mature males usually develop taller, darker dorsal and anal fins, while females are often fuller-bodied and may show warmer reddish tones in the fins.

Adults usually reach around 3.5–4 cm, with FishBase listing a maximum of 3.64 cm standard length. Aquarium Glaser also describes the species as reaching around 4 cm and highlights the attractive male display behaviour.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is an excellent species for peaceful planted community aquariums. Black Phantom Tetras suit aquariums with live plants, dark substrate, floating cover, bogwood and a mix of open water and shelter. They are small, peaceful and active without being overly boisterous.

They are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, large predatory fish, fin-nipping communities or brand-new aquariums with unstable water quality.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal and better display behaviour. FishBase recommends keeping the species in groups of five or more and gives a minimum aquarium length of 60 cm.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; softer stable water preferred
Additional Notes: FishBase lists the species at pH 6.0–7.5 and hardness up to around 18 dH. Captive-bred fish are adaptable, but they still do best in clean, mature water with low nitrate, stable chemistry and shaded areas.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Black Phantom Tetras are peaceful shoaling fish and are ideal for calm community aquariums. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small danios, Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small plecs, peaceful dwarf cichlids and gentle gouramis in compatible water.

Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin-nippers and very tiny fry. Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8–10 or more preferred. Males may spar by spreading fins and circling one another, but this is normal display behaviour and rarely causes damage in a properly sized group. Fishkeeper also notes that male disputes are usually minor display squabbles rather than serious aggression.

Feeding:

Black Phantom Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores with a preference for small animal foods. Offer quality fine flakes, micro pellets and small granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. FishBase records the natural diet as including worms, small insects and crustaceans.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually occupies the middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose shoal. Mature males are especially interesting, often flaring their fins and circling each other in short display bouts. In planted tanks with subdued lighting, the dark fins and body markings become more visible, and the group will usually behave more confidently.

Care Notes:

Add Black Phantom Tetras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Keep them in a proper group, maintain stable water quality and avoid keeping them with large or aggressive fish. A darker substrate, floating plants and gentle lighting help bring out their best colour. A secure lid is recommended, as small active tetras may jump if startled. Most fish in the trade are captive-bred and generally adaptable when acclimated carefully.

Recommended For:

Beginner

Availability:

Common / Usually captive-bred

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.