Red phantom tetra
The red phantom tetra is a small characin (family Characidae) from the Orinoco River basin in South America. It has a translucent reddish body with a dark shoulder spot ringed in red, and males show taller, more colorful dorsal fins than females. It is a peaceful shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least six to feel secure and display natural behavior. Males perform harmless sparring displays within the group without causing injury. A well-planted tank with subdued lighting, driftwood, and soft, slightly acidic blackwater-style water shows off its coloration best. It is an omnivore that accepts flake, micro-pellets, and small frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworms. It mixes well with other small, calm species like other tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids in a community aquarium.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 20 – 26 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 – 7 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 1 – 8 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 2 – 10 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 75 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 6 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 8 individuals (shoaling) |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Red phantom tetra need?
Provide at least 75 litres for a small group to keep Red phantom tetra in good conditions.
What water parameters does Red phantom tetra need?
A temperature of 20–26 °C, pH 5.5–7.
Is Red phantom tetra peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Red phantom tetra eat?
Its diet: omnivore.
How many Red phantom tetra should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 8.
How big does Red phantom tetra get?
Around 4 cm as an adult.
Is Red phantom tetra suitable for beginners?
Care level: beginner.
Planning a tank with Red phantom tetra?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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