Species profile

Red Phantom Tetra

Megalamphodus sweglesi

Common names: Red Phantom Tetra, Swegles'S Tetra

Recognized speciesTetras

Adult size

Up to 3.5 cm

Countries of origin

Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
A keeper with room for a proper group of 10 or more

Think carefully if

You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 6 or more

A bright red tetra with a dark shoulder patch from the Orinoco, and the male has an extended dorsal fin. Keep a group of at least 6 in 72 litres or more.

Appearance and Identification

A bright red tetra with a dark shoulder patch from the Orinoco, and the male has an extended dorsal fin. It does best in a cool, shaded tank.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Mature females are usually rounder in the belly, and males are usually slimmer and often brighter.

Tank Requirements

Suggested filter: About 290–360 litres an hour
Suggested heater: About 75–100 W for this tank
Minimum tank volume: 72 litres
Minimum tank length: 80 cm
Minimum group size: 6
Recommended group size: 10
Activity level: Active
Flow preference: Low to moderate
Planting preference: Moderately planted
Lid recommended: Yes
Jumping risk: Moderate

A long tank with open swimming water, plants around the edges and steady filtration suits this fish. A darker substrate and some floating plants usually bring out its colour.

Behaviour and Tankmates

Active and social, and most settled when kept with its own kind.

Keep a group of at least 6, and more if you can. Larger groups are calmer and show better colour and behaviour.

Not territorial, although males may spar and display.

Suits a community of similar-sized, peaceful fish that like the same water. Avoid large predators, which will treat it as food. It may eat baby shrimp.

Check tankmates for this species

Water Parameters

Temperature: 20–28 °C
pH: 4.5–7.5
GH: 1–12
Stability importance: Important

Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable.

Parameter caveat

Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.

Feeding

Diet types: Omnivore
Feeding frequency: Daily
Preferred foods: Small flake or micro pelletsA good staple. Feed small amounts that are eaten within a couple of minutes.
Frozen or live daphnia and brine shrimpOffer a few times a week for colour and condition.
Small bloodwormA rich treat rather than a daily food.

An omnivore that eats small invertebrates. Flake, micro pellets and frozen bloodworm keep its colour bright.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Breeding

Breeding type: Egg Scatterer
Breeding difficulty: Moderate
Parental care: None
Baby foods: InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.

An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.

Habitat and Origin

Geographic origin: Colombia, South America, Venezuela
Natural habitat: Blackwater, Floodplain, Lake, River
Aquarium contexts: Planted Aquarium
Audience level: Beginner

Classification

Profile type: Recognized species
Genus: Megalamphodus
Family: Acestrorhamphidae
Species group: Fish, Tetras
Previous scientific names: Hyphessobrycon sweglesi, Name also used in the hobby.

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Good fit for your tank?

Good fit for

Think carefully if

Appearance and Identification

Tank Requirements

Behaviour and Tankmates

Water Parameters

Feeding

Breeding

Habitat and Origin

Classification

Have you kept this species?

Other Tetras

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Red Tail Hemiodus Tetra

Rosy Tetra

Ruby Tetra

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