TankBud

Yellow phantom tetra

Hyphessobrycon roseus

FreshwaterFish

Yellow phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon roseus)
Haplochromis · CC0

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
pH
5.0–7.0
Adult size
0.8 in
2 cm
Minimum tank
7 gal
25 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Suriname, French Guiana

Overview

The yellow phantom tetra is a small, mild schooling fish for a soft-water planted tank. It suits a keeper past the beginner stage.

Did you know

The yellow phantom tetra is still fairly new to the hobby. It is much less common than the red phantom tetra it resembles.

Caring for the yellow phantom tetra

Keep yellow phantom tetras in a school of at least six, in a planted tank of 7 gal (25 L) or more. These small, mild fish are easily intimidated and look best in a group. Their soft yellow shows best in a shaded, heavily planted tank, against dark wood and greenery rather than under bright light.

Give them soft, acidic water at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 7.0, with gentle flow. Feed small foods to match the tiny mouth, such as crushed flake, micro pellets and small frozen foods like baby brine shrimp.

Yellow phantom tetras are peaceful and hold in the middle of the tank, staying fairly active once settled. They are egg scatterers with no parental care. Breeding them takes some attention to soft, acidic conditions.

Good to know

The yellow phantom tetra is a small characin in the family Characidae, related to the phantom tetras. Its soft yellow body and darker dorsal fin look more subtle than its red phantom relatives.

In the wild

The yellow phantom tetra lives in headwater streams and small forest creeks, called igarapes, in Suriname and French Guiana. The water there is soft and slightly acidic, under overhanging forest, with plenty of plants.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The yellow phantom tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a yellow phantom tetra need?

A yellow phantom tetra needs at least 7 gal (25 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a yellow phantom tetra need?

A yellow phantom tetra is comfortable at 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH of 5.0–7.0.

What does a yellow phantom tetra eat?

A yellow phantom tetra eats small foods that fit its tiny mouth, such as crushed flake and micro pellets. Small frozen foods like baby brine shrimp suit it too.

How big does a yellow phantom tetra get?

An adult yellow phantom tetra reaches about 0.8 in (2 cm).

Does a yellow phantom tetra need a group?

Yes. A yellow phantom tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a yellow phantom tetra breed?

Yellow phantom tetras scatter their eggs and give them no care. Breeding them takes some attention to soft, acidic water.

Related species