Red Phantom Tetra Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Red Phantom Tetra is a small, richly coloured characin with a warm red to copper body and a distinctive dark, nearly triangular marking behind the gill cover. Its fins are often flushed with red, while the dorsal fin may show darker shading that adds contrast to its compact outline. Good-quality specimens can develop an especially vivid colour when settled and displaying naturally.

Red Phantom Tetras are native to Colombia in northern South America, particularly the upper Orinoco River basin and associated tributary waters. They occur in slow-moving forest streams, flooded areas and quiet pools with warm, soft, often tea-coloured water.

A group of Red Phantom Tetras should be housed in an aquarium of at least 60 litres, with a footprint around 60 cm long by 30 cm wide or larger. Use gentle filtration and leave open swimming space alongside dense planting, shaded areas, and pieces of driftwood or leaf litter that create a subdued, natural setting. A dark, fine-grained substrate helps their colours stand out, while floating plants can provide additional security without blocking all surface movement.

Red Phantom Tetras reach a maximum adult length of about 4 cm (1.6 inches). Females are usually slightly deeper-bodied and may be marginally larger than males.

In nature, Red Phantom Tetras feed on small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, tiny crustaceans and other minute foods drifting through their habitat. In an aquarium they accept quality small pellets and flakes, but their colour and condition are enhanced by regular offerings of baby brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm and other appropriately sized frozen or live foods. Feed small portions that the group can consume promptly.

Red Phantom Tetras are peaceful community fish and suit similarly calm species such as other small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, smaller Corydoras, otocinclus and gentle dwarf cichlids. They are best kept away from large, aggressive or predatory fish, as well as fin-nippers that may damage their delicate fins. Their active but non-confrontational nature makes them a useful choice for a planted South American community aquarium.

Red Phantom Tetras are egg-scattering spawners that can be bred in a separate, dimly lit breeding aquarium containing fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Condition the adults with plentiful live or frozen foods, then introduce a pair or small group. Spawning usually takes place among the plants, after which the adults should be removed because they may eat the eggs. The eggs generally hatch within 24 to 36 hours, and the tiny fry initially require infusoria or another suitably fine first food before progressing to larger foods.

Males are generally slimmer, more intensely coloured and often have a relatively elongated dorsal fin. Females are rounder through the abdomen, particularly when carrying eggs, and tend to have a fuller body profile.