Red Phantom Tetra

About

The red phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi) is a small but richly colored characid from the Orinoco River basin in South America, where it inhabits soft, often dark-stained waters. Most fish you'll find in the hobby are commercially raised, with truly wild-caught specimens being fairly uncommon. What makes this species interesting is that there are at least a couple of color forms in circulation, one notably more intensely red than the other, and that deep coloration appears to be a genuine trait rather than something propped up by special foods or dyes, with the reddest fish thought to come from blackwater habitats. The body is fairly slender, and males can be told apart from females by differences in the shape of their dorsal and anal fins. Like a lot of tetras, red phantoms are completely peaceful and work well in a community setup alongside similarly-sized characins, smaller catfishes, and non-aggressive cichlids. Where this species really shines is when you keep a good-sized mixed-sex group. Ten or more is better than five. Males will compete and display for females, which brings out both livelier behavior and their best color. Breeding is achievable in a dedicated spawning setup, making this a rewarding project for keepers ready to move beyond just maintaining a school.