Red phantom tetra

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.5
Adult size: 1.6 in (4 cm)
Minimum tank: 15 gal (55 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Venezuela, Colombia
Family: Characidae

Overview

These are peaceful schooling fish, so keep at least six and they will color up and behave better in a bigger group. They swim mostly in the middle and do well with other small calm species in a planted tank with open room to swim. A 55 liter tank works for a small school. Feed small foods like quality flake, micro pellets, and the occasional frozen or live treat such as daphnia or brine shrimp.

In the wild

Red phantom tetras come from the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela, living in slow blackwater streams shaded by heavy plant growth. That water is soft, acidic, and stained brown with tannins from leaf litter and wood on the bottom. To match it, keep the pH on the lower side, use gentle filtration, and consider some leaf litter or driftwood to tint the water. A planted tank with dim, shaded light suits them well.

Good to know

This is a small characin in the family Characidae, reaching about 4 cm. Males show a deeper red, while females lean toward a softer orange-red and often carry a small dark fin marking. They are egg scatterers with no parental care, and the IUCN lists them as Least Concern. Lifespan in a stable tank is usually around 3 to 5 years.

Did you know

The species name honors Kyle Swegles, who helped bring the fish into the hobby in the 1950s. Males spar by flaring their fins at each other in mock display, which sorts out pecking order without real damage and is most obvious when a school is well fed and settled.