The Beautiful Black Phantom Tetra – A Fun and Peaceful Fish for Any Tank

If you want a pretty and calm fish for your tank, the Black Phantom Tetra is a great pick. It has dark colors, soft fins, and loves to swim in groups. It’s easy to care for and perfect for both new and experienced fishkeepers.

Where They Come From

Black Phantom Tetras come from slow rivers and streams in Brazil and Bolivia. In the wild, they live in places with plants and soft water.

What They Look Like

This fish stays small—only about 1.5 inches long. Males are darker and have longer fins. Females have rounder bodies and often show red on their fins. Their smoky color and smooth swimming make them stand out.

How They Act

These fish are calm but full of life. They like to live in groups. When alone or in small groups, they may nip at fins. Males may show off by raising their fins, but it’s not serious. A big group keeps them happy and busy.

How to Keep Them

Black Phantom Tetras are easy to care for. They need:

A tank that holds at least 20 gallons
A group of at least 8 tetras
Clean, filtered water
A stable temperature between 72°F and 82°F
A pH between 6.0 and 8.0

They are hardy and can live in soft or moderately hard water. Just make sure the tank stays clean. Ammonia and nitrite should be at zero. Nitrates should stay under 20 parts per million.

Tank Setup

You can use sand or gravel—either is fine. These fish don’t dig. Add plants, driftwood, or rocks to make hiding spots. This helps them feel safe. Live or fake plants work well. A dark or light background can both look nice. Bright light is not needed.

What to Feed Them

Black Phantom Tetras are not picky. Feed them:

High-quality flakes
Small pellets
Frozen foods like brine shrimp or bloodworms
Live baby brine shrimp (optional)

Give them a mix of protein and veggies for good health.

Good Tank Mates

These fish get along with others that are calm and small. Good tank mates include:

Other small tetras
Cory catfish
Cherry barbs
Peaceful gouramis
Bristlenose plecos

Avoid fish that nip fins, like tiger barbs. Also avoid long-finned fish like male bettas and guppies.

How to Breed Them

Breeding Black Phantom Tetras can be fun but takes work. They lay eggs on plants or spawning mops. The eggs hatch in 5 to 7 days. Adults will eat the eggs and baby fish, so use a separate breeding tank. Use soft water and lots of plants. Feed baby fish tiny foods like infusoria. Later, feed them baby brine shrimp. As they grow, switch to flakes or pellets.