Red Phantom Tetra: The Ultimate Care Guide and Amazing Facts

Are you searching for a freshwater fish that can add charm and beauty to your aquarium? Or do you want to learn care tips and interesting facts about the Red Phantom Tetra already in your tank?

Due to a lack of practical care tips, the care for these Phantom Tetras might be tricky. However, with valid information and tips, these beautiful creatures can make your aquarium energetic and colorful. They are trendy among the aquarists worldwide due to their distinctive properties.

In this article, we will provide comprehensive information about red tetra fish, covering their diet, tank mates, compatibility, and common diseases.

Specie Overview

The Red Phantom Tetra is a small freshwater fish species with the scientific name Hyphessobrycon sweglesi. It belongs to the Characidae family and the Characiformes order. Red Tetras are omnivorous and are highly popular among aquarium enthusiasts. They are considered excellent school fish. Although they are not as renowned as their relative, the Neon Tetra, they remain one of the best choices for maintaining and enhancing the beauty of an aquarium.

Physical Appearance

The shape of Red Tetras is thin, cylindrical, and slightly flattened on the sides. They can be identified by a distinct black spot near their gills. Their small, beautiful eyes enhance their overall appearance. They have delicate fins with edges that are either white or black.

Red Phantom Tetras can grow to a maximum size of 3.2 to 6 cm (1.5 to 2.4 inches) in adulthood. One of the reasons for their popularity among aquarists is their small size, which allows them to be kept in various aquarium setups.

In these Phantom fish, the red color is dominant on their face, fins, and tail, with a slight pinkish or orange shade on their body. They have a black patch behind their dorsal fin area, which enhances their beauty. They shimmer when light falls on them.

Male and female red tetras can be distinguished by their appearance and behavior. The size of male red tetras is slightly larger than that of females. Male phantom tetras do not have black coloring on their dorsal fin, which is entirely red. Also, the dorsal and top fins are more prominent and longer than those of females. Male red phantoms are typically more active, especially during the mating season, while females are generally calmer.

Natural Habitat

The natural habitat of Red Phantom Tetra is in different regions of South America, such as Venezuela and Colombia, especially the Orinoco River. They are typically found in slow-moving streams and rivers. They prefer waters with dense plants and sandy or muddy bottoms. This type of natural habitat provides them with hiding spaces and plenty of food for survival.

Tank Requirements

Balanced aquarium conditions are essential for the proper growth and health of Red Phantom Tetra. The aquarium should include driftwood, dense plants, and small tree roots to provide hiding spots and allow the fish to maintain their natural behaviors.

 Ideal Tank Size

Red Phantom Tetras’ health depends on a suitable tank size, which is determined by the number of fish you want to keep. It is important to consider their social behavior before selecting a tank size. The minimum tank size for a group of 4-6 Red Phantoms is 10 gallons (40 liters). However, due to their active nature, the recommended tank size is 15 to 20 gallons. The tank’s dimensions should be 60 x 30 cm (24 x 12 inches). Red Phantoms feel more comfortable in larger tanks, and navigation becomes easier.

Water Parameters

Perfectly calculated water parameters are essential for the better health and activity of Red Tetra.

Water Quality

Red Tetras always prefer to thrive in clean water. Polluted water reduces their immunity and shortens their lifespan. Therefore, it is essential to change the aquarium water regularly. Filters are also very useful in maintaining water quality. Elevated amounts of nitrates and ammonia are also harmful to Red Phantom Tetras.

pH

The optimum pH range for Red Tetra fish is 6.0 to 7.5. Fluctuations in pH levels have a negative effect on their health and make them prone to diseases.

GH (General Hardness)

For Red Phantom Tetra, water’s GH (General Hardness) should be between 4 and 10. GH can be easily measured using liquid test kits or strip test kits.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for Red Tetra is 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Behavior and Temperament

Red Phantom Tetra is popular among aquarists because of its peaceful and social behavior. Its friendly nature makes it a perfect choice for other tank mates. Red Phantom Tetra is a schooling fish, which means that it often thrives in small or large groups. It feels more comfortable in groups and enhances the beauty of the aquarium. One of the most interesting facts about the Red Phantom Tetra is that they communicate with each other through movements and swimming patterns.

Tank Mates

Botton or lower swimmer fish are perfect tank mates for red tetra fish. Due to their friendly and peaceful nature, their tank mates should be peaceful and friendly. 

Compatible Tank Mates:

Here’s a list of the best tank mates that are most compatible with Red Phantom Tetra:

• Neon Tetra
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Ember Tetra
• Corydoras Catfish
• Otocinclus Catfish

Non-Compatible Tank Mates

Here’s a list of the tank mates that are non-compatible with Red Phantom Tetra:

• Tiger Barbs
• Large Cichlids
• Betta Fish
• Oscars
• Red-Tailed Sharks

Diet and feeding

Red Tetra is an omnivorous fish. In its natural habitat, it feeds on tiny insects, plankton, microfish eggs, crustaceans, and plant matter. It thrives in the upper and middle layers of the water, where it searches for food.

Red Tetra fish in aquariums can be served animal and plant-based foods due to their omnivorous nature. The best food choices for your aquarium Red Tetra are dry flakes or frozen foods such as Artemia (brine shrimp), microworms, and insects. It is essential to consider their number before choosing the quantity of food so that food remains do not pollute the aquarium.

Recommended Feeding Schedule

Frequency: They should be fed 2 to 3 times a day to maintain a balanced diet.

Morning: In the morning, serve them pellets or high-quality flakes to boost their activity throughout the day.

Afternoon: A small amount of frozen food can be served during this time.

Evening: In the evening, offer a variety of vegetables such as peas or spinach.

Portion Size: To avoid overeating, feed them a quantity that can be consumed in 2 to 4 minutes.

Sometimes, fasting once a week proves helpful in maintaining and boosting their digestion.

Breeding

Breeding Red Tetra is an exciting and relatively easy process. The tank conditions should be appropriate for successful breeding and mimic their natural habitat. The first and most crucial factor affecting breeding is the intensity of light, which should not be too bright. Other elements that influence the breeding process include temperature, water pH, water hardness, substrate, and oxygen levels in the water.

Female Red Tetras generally lay eggs on the aquarium substrate and plants, which the male Tetras fertilize. After the eggs are laid, transfer the parent Tetras to a separate tank to prevent them from consuming them. The eggs take 24 to 48 hours to hatch, and maintaining cleanliness is essential to avoid fungus.

Common Diseases

Poor aquarium conditions can lead to the spread of diseases in Red Tetras.

Here’s a list of common diseases affecting Red Tetras:

• Fin Rot
• Velvet Disease
• Columnaris (Cotton Mouth)
• Fungal Infections
• Swim Bladder Disorder
• Dropsy
• Ich (White Spot Disease)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Red Phantom Tetra is perfect for your aquarium. Due to its peaceful and friendly nature, it can easily adjust to other small, calm tank mates. After reading this article, you have plenty of reasons to keep this beautiful fish in your aquarium.

FAQ’s

Love learning about aquarium fish? Don’t miss our fascinating post on Otocinclus Catfish – a must-read for any aquarist!