{"product_id":"black-phantom-tetra","title":"Black Phantom Tetra - Megalamphodus megalopterus","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"370\" data-end=\"418\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Phantom Tetra (Megalamphodus megalopterus)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"916\"\u003eThe Black Phantom Tetra is a peaceful and elegant South American shoaling fish, loved for its smoky silver body, dark shoulder patch and impressive fin displays. Mature males develop darker, more dramatic finnage, while females often show reddish tones through the fins, giving a group a subtle but attractive contrast. This is a hardy and rewarding tetra for mature planted community aquariums, especially where darker décor, plant cover and calm tank mates allow its natural behaviour to shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"918\" data-end=\"1042\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"933\"\u003eBlack Phantom Tetra. Also commonly referred to as the Black Phantom, Phantom Tetra or Black Phantom Characin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1044\" data-end=\"1191\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1068\" data-end=\"1071\"\u003eMegalamphodus megalopterus\u003cbr data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1100\"\u003eAlso commonly referenced in older and many aquarium sources as Hyphessobrycon megalopterus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1305\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1209\"\u003eAround 4–5 cm in captivity, with scientific records listing up to around 3.6 cm standard length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1307\" data-end=\"1331\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1318\" data-end=\"1321\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1333\" data-end=\"1661\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1361\"\u003eNative to South America, especially the upper Paraguay and Guaporé River basins, with trade references also linking the species to Bolivia and Brazil. In the wild, it is associated with calm, vegetated freshwater habitats where plant cover, shaded margins and stable water conditions provide shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1765\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1683\"\u003eTemperature: 22–28°C\u003cbr data-start=\"1703\" data-end=\"1706\"\u003epH Range: 6.0–7.5\u003cbr data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1726\"\u003eHardness: soft to moderately hard water\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1979\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1779\" data-end=\"1782\"\u003ePeaceful and social. Males may display to one another with raised fins and short harmless stand-offs, but this is normal behaviour and rarely causes damage when the fish are kept in a proper group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2245\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1986\" data-end=\"1989\"\u003eOmnivorous micro-feeder. In nature, it feeds on small insects, worms and crustaceans. In the aquarium it should be offered quality fine flake, micro pellets, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, bloodworm and occasional small live foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2247\" data-end=\"2426\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2265\" data-end=\"2268\"\u003eA practical recommendation is at least 60 litres for a small group, with a 60 cm or longer aquarium preferred for more natural shoaling and display behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2428\" data-end=\"2809\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2456\"\u003eThis is an active mid-water shoaling tetra that should be kept in a group of at least 6, ideally 8–10 or more. Males are known for their display behaviour, where they flare their fins and show off to rivals and females. It looks especially good in planted aquariums with darker substrate, floating plants, driftwood, leaf litter and open swimming space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"3212\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquarium Category:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2829\" data-end=\"2832\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCommunity Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2846\" data-end=\"2849\"\u003eThis species is peaceful and well suited to calm community aquariums. Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf Corydoras, Otocinclus, small plecos, peaceful dwarf cichlids and small gourami species. Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive cichlids, persistent fin nippers and very boisterous species that may stress the group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3214\" data-end=\"3623\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3249\" data-end=\"3252\"\u003eBest kept in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water, gentle to moderate filtration and regular maintenance. Plant cover and shaded areas are appreciated, especially for displaying males and resting fish. Although generally hardy, Black Phantom Tetras should not be kept in very small groups, as proper shoal numbers help reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3625\" data-end=\"3677\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3638\" data-end=\"3641\"\u003eBeginner to intermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3679\" data-end=\"3741\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3692\" data-end=\"3695\"\u003eCommon in trade, usually as captive-bred stock\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"4003\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46008018632877,"sku":"AG-102963","price":2.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46008018600109,"sku":"AG-100635","price":2.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46008018665645,"sku":"AG-102964","price":3.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/BlackPhantomTetra-Megalamphodusmegalopterus.jpg?v=1778773847","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/black-phantom-tetra","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}