🐟 Black Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus)
A Smoky Black Body With a Distinctive Dark Shoulder Spot • A Selectively Bred Colour, Wild Specimens Are Naturally Red • An Elegant, Understated Schooling Classic
 
A note on colour: wild Black Phantom Tetras are naturally mostly red; the deep black colouration seen in the hobby today is the result of decades of selective breeding from an originally rare dark mutation, with red now mostly confined to the fins of females and juveniles.
 
📋 The Black Phantom Tetra has a smoky black-to-grey body with a distinctive dark shoulder spot bordered by iridescent blue scales, paired with tall, elegant fins, especially flowing in mature males.
It comes from the Paraguay River basin in Bolivia and Brazil, naturally inhabiting soft, acidic blackwater streams. Every Black Phantom Tetra we ship is feeding well.
This is a peaceful, understated schooling species, a quiet elegance rather than bold colour, and a long-time favourite in the hobby. It does best in a school of 6 or more, in a tank with driftwood, natural décor, and open swimming space. It reaches 4-4.5cm, so a 75L tank suits a school well.
 
💡 Highlights
⚫ Smoky Black Body: A distinctive dark shoulder spot with iridescent blue scales
🔍 A Colour Note Worth Knowing: Wild specimens are naturally red, black is selectively bred
🪶 Tall, Elegant Fins: Especially flowing in mature males
👥 True Schooling Fish: Best kept in groups of 6 or more
😌 Peaceful, Understated Elegance: A long-time hobby favourite