Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Live Plant Safe: Yes
General Description: The Red Phantom Tetra is a beautiful fish endemic to the Rio Orinoco watershed in Colombia and Venezuela, inhabitating sluggish and clear waters where vegetation proliferates. Many Red phantom tetra available within the aquarium trade are commerically produced, however, given their popularity. The Red phantom tetra exhibits clear sexual dimorphism between males and females. Males have larger dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins in which they get the name “phantom”, while females have a rounder body shape with shorter fins. Both sexes are red in color, with a single black dot in the middle of their body. Less mature specimens, or ones that are not as comfortable in their environment, can appear more dull. Red phantom tetras are natural shoaling fish, showing their best coloration with at least 8 individuals of mixed sexes, but more are encouraged. An adult Red phantom tetra can reach a size of approximately 1.5″.
Diet Requirements: Red phantom tetra are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.
Care Requirements: An established minimum 5 to 10 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Red phantom tetra. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger shoal. While Red phantom tetra are relatively hardy, this species would do best in a biologically established aquarium. An adaptable species to a wide range of water parameters, an ideal environment for a Red phantom tetra is a dense live planted set-up with a sandy substrate. Red phantom tetra form loose hierarchies, and it is not uncommon to see a pair of males flared up at each other trying to get the attention of females. Red phantom tetra are diverse in their compatability, but should be mixed with other peaceful and similar-sized tetra or fishes. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 4-8, pH 6.0-7.5.
Purchase Size: Medium: 1” to 1-1/4”
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
