{"product_id":"black-phantom-tetra-megalamphodus-megalopterus","title":"Black Phantom Tetra - Megalamphodus megalopterus","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBlack Phantom Tetra – \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMegalamphodus megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Phantom Tetra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a peaceful South American tetra with smoky silver colour, dark shoulder markings and elegant black fins in mature males. Long sold as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHyphessobrycon megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this species is now also listed as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMegalamphodus megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and remains a reliable choice for mature planted community aquariums. It is calm, attractive and social, showing its best behaviour and colour when kept in a proper group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKey Identification:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Black Phantom Tetra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther Names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Black Phantom, Phantom Tetra, Black Phantom Characin, Hyphessobrycon megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMegalamphodus megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlder \/ Trade Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHyphessobrycon megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFish Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tetra \/ Characin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Freshwater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMegalamphodus megalopterus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is native to South America, where it is recorded from the upper Paraguay and Guaporé River basins. These habitats are generally warm tropical freshwater environments with plant cover, shaded areas, submerged structure and quieter swimming zones.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the aquarium, Black Phantom Tetras do best in mature planted setups with clean water, gentle to moderate flow, shaded cover and open swimming room. Wood, leaf litter, darker décor and floating plants can help create a calmer setting and bring out their smoky black markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAppearance \u0026amp; Adult Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Phantom Tetras have a deep, laterally compressed body with a silver-grey to smoky body tone and a distinctive dark shoulder patch behind the gill area. Mature males usually develop stronger black colouration in the dorsal and anal fins, while females are often fuller-bodied and may show warmer reddish tones in the fins or body.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdults usually reach around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3.5–4.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in aquariums. Their colour, fin shape and body depth can vary with sex, age, mood, diet and aquarium conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Suitability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an excellent fish for peaceful community aquariums, planted South American-style setups and mixed tetra displays. Black Phantom Tetras are generally calm and well behaved, making them suitable for aquariums with other peaceful species of similar size.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are not suitable for aggressive cichlid tanks, predator communities, very hard-water livebearer setups, tiny unfiltered aquariums or tanks with large fish that may eat them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA practical minimum is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60–75 litres for a group\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a tank length of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e60 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e recommended. Larger aquariums of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90 litres or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are preferred for bigger groups and mixed community displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep in a group of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eat least 6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8–10 or more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e preferred. A larger group improves confidence, spreads male display behaviour and creates a more natural aquarium display.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Conditions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 22–28°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHardness:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Black Phantom Tetras prefer clean, stable water and should only be added to mature aquariums. Soft, slightly acidic water suits them well, but captive-bred or well-acclimatised fish can adapt to a broader community range if changes are gradual. Avoid sudden swings in temperature, pH or hardness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Tank Mates:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Community Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Phantom Tetras are peaceful community fish. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, Cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small peaceful plecs, dwarf cichlids with care, honey gouramis and other calm community species that enjoy similar conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous fish that may intimidate them. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as group life is important for confidence, colour and natural behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Phantom Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, small granules or micro pellets as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA varied diet helps maintain body condition, fin colour and natural display behaviour. Feed small portions that are eaten quickly, as they are active midwater feeders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBehaviour in the Aquarium:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species usually swims through the middle levels of the aquarium, moving in a loose group rather than a tight school. Mature males may display to one another with raised fins, darkened colour and sideways posturing. This behaviour is usually ritualised and rarely causes harm when the group is large enough and the aquarium has enough space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlack Phantom Tetras are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Notes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdd Black Phantom Tetras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide plant cover, shaded areas and open swimming room. Maintain regular water changes and stable water quality, and avoid rough or aggressive tank mates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis species can look pale after transport or in bright bare tanks, but settled fish usually develop stronger contrast, darker fins and more confident display behaviour once they are in a calm planted aquarium with a good-sized group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended For:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon to occasional \/ Usually captive-bred or farmed, with imports also seen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImage Disclaimer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, body tone, shoulder mark, fin colour, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warehouse Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":43682897330250,"sku":"AG-102963","price":2.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":43682897363018,"sku":"AG-100635","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":43682897395786,"sku":"102964","price":3.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0623\/1877\/2298\/files\/BlackPhantomTetra-Megalamphodusmegalopterus_1.jpg?v=1780996180","url":"https:\/\/warehouse-aquatics.co.uk\/products\/black-phantom-tetra-megalamphodus-megalopterus","provider":"Warehouse Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}