Black phantom tetra

About

The black phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) is a soft-water characid from the upper Paraguay and Guaporé River drainages of South America, where it inhabits slow, shaded waters with plenty of cover. The body is a muted grey, almost translucent, with a prominent black humeral spot and dramatically enlarged, dark dorsal and anal fins. Particularly pronounced in males. A long-finned ornamental strain also circulates in the hobby from time to time. Despite the name "phantom," this fish is anything but invisible once males start posturing: they'll square off, flare their fins, and circle each other in low-key sparring matches that rarely result in real harm. It's genuinely entertaining to watch and brings out the best coloration the species has to offer. To get that behavior, buy a mixed-sex group of at least eight to ten fish rather than a small, same-sex cluster. Females tend to show more reddish tones in the fins, making sexing reasonably straightforward. In the wild they pick off small invertebrates, insects, and crustaceans, and in the aquarium they'll accept most standard foods without fuss. They do well alongside other similarly-sized South American characins, smaller catfishes, and peaceful cichlids. This is a rewarding species for a keeper with some experience who wants a community fish that actually does something interesting.