Photo: D. Bork, A. Zarske, and H.J. Richter, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
3.5 cm
Adult size
90 L
Minimum volume
8
Minimum group
4 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Hyphessobrycon
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
The red phantom tetra, named after the fish distributor Kyle Swegles, is popular and bred commercially in several countries; wild fish are fairly rare in the trade. A particularly colourful form, called “red”, keeps its bright red in captivity.
- Scientific name
- Megalamphodus sweglesi Géry, 1961Current valid name; in the hobby: Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
- Classification
- Characiformes › Acestrorhamphidae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Upper and middle Orinoco basin, in Colombia and Venezuela (Atabapo, Guaviare, Inírida, Meta, Arauca, Apure, Caura...)
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
It prefers small tributaries, small rivers, oxbows and flooded forests. In the Venezuelan llanos it frequents morichales, with clear water over sand rich in plants, and elsewhere flowing black water or floodplain lakes.
Behaviour
Very peaceful, ideal in a community tank with characins of similar size, hatchetfish, pencilfish, Corydoras or small Loricariidae and non-predatory cichlids. A mixed group of at least 8 to 10 is needed, within which males compete for the females. An omnivore: dry food, live and frozen prey.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth