Red Phantom Tetra

• ExerciseModerate

  An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• GroomingRoutine tank care

  Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment4–5 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Swim bladder disorder

The Red Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi) comes from the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela and reaches about 3.5 to 4.5 cm. It is the red counterpart of the black phantom, with the same black shoulder blotch on a rose-red body, and males carrying a taller dorsal fin marked in white and black. A shoal of eight or more needs 80 litres or more at 22-25C, cooler than many community tetras, in soft acidic water at pH 5.5 to 7.0, tinted with wood and leaf litter and dimly lit. Feed flake, micro pellets and frozen daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp. Colour is directly tied to conditions here: in warm hard water under bright light it looks pink and tired, and in cool soft tinted water it turns a genuine deep red. It is peaceful and non-nipping and suits a South American blackwater community with rummy nose tetras, corydoras and dwarf cichlids. It is a little less hardy than a black phantom, so give it stable, well-changed water.

• How active is a Red Phantom Tetra?

  Moderate. An active swimmer that appreciates open swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Red Phantom Tetra need?

  Routine tank care. Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.

• What tank size does a Red Phantom Tetra need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Red Phantom Tetra a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Red Phantom Tetra live?

  4–5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Red Phantom Tetra?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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