Red phantom tetra care guide

Red phantom tetra tank size

Plan for a minimum tank length of 80 cm. This setup allows a shoal to have open swimming space to move together.Plan for a minimum tank length of 31 in. This setup allows a shoal to have open swimming space to move together.^[1]

Using sand, branching wood and planted cover reproduces shelter found in smaller Orinoco tributaries and flooded habitats. Dried leaves add extra shelter and support microbial grazing as they decompose.Using sand, branching wood and planted cover reproduces shelter found in smaller Orinoco tributaries and flooded habitats. Dried leaves add extra shelter and support microbial grazing as they decompose.^[1]

Keep open swimming room alongside the planted margins of your tank. Maintain gentle water flow rather than strong current.Keep open swimming room alongside the planted margins of your tank. Maintain gentle water flow rather than strong current.^[1][2]

• 5 gal
• 10 gal
• 54 L
• 60 L
• 20 gal high
• 20 gal long
• 29 gal
• 112 L
• 40 gal breeder
• 180 L
• 55 gal
• 75 gal
• 240 L

Red phantom tetra water parameters

Aim for a temperature of 22–26 °C. Keep water conditions within pH 5.5–7.5 and maintain a hardness of 1–12 dGH.Aim for a temperature of 72–79 °F. Keep water conditions within pH 5.5–7.5 and maintain a hardness of 1–12 dGH.^[1]

Introduce fish only when a mature filter keeps ammonia and nitrite undetectable.Introduce fish only when a mature filter keeps ammonia and nitrite undetectable.^[2]

Replace a quarter of the water weekly using conditioned replacement water. Rinse filter media lightly in removed aquarium water instead of chlorinated tap water.Replace a quarter of the water weekly using conditioned replacement water. Rinse filter media lightly in removed aquarium water instead of chlorinated tap water.^[2]

Feeding red phantom tetras

Feed once a day, giving only as much food as the fish finish within a few minutes. Use appropriately small flake or granules as a staple and vary them with daphnia and small bloodworms.Feed once a day, giving only as much food as the fish finish within a few minutes. Use appropriately small flake or granules as a staple and vary them with daphnia and small bloodworms.^[2][1]

Leftover food decomposes into toxic waste. Reduce the next portion if food accumulates on the bottom.Leftover food decomposes into toxic waste. Reduce the next portion if food accumulates on the bottom.^[2]

Red phantom tetra behaviour

This is a peaceful tetra best matched to similarly sized peaceful fish. Typical adult length is about 3.5 cm measured as standard length rather than total length.This is a peaceful tetra best matched to similarly sized peaceful fish. Typical adult length is about 1.4 in measured as standard length rather than total length.^[1]

Keep a mixed-sex group of eight or more, with an eight to ten fish group preferred. Males form temporary dominance relationships and display to females; sufficient company makes these displays easier to observe.Keep a mixed-sex group of eight or more, with an eight to ten fish group preferred. Males form temporary dominance relationships and display to females; sufficient company makes these displays easier to observe.^[1]

Trade forms include a particularly red form called rubra and paler forms, though they represent the same species. Tetras can live several years with good water quality.Trade forms include a particularly red form called rubra and paler forms, though they represent the same species. Tetras can live several years with good water quality.^[1][2]

Red phantom tetra tank mates

This peaceful tetra is best matched to similarly sized peaceful fish. This peaceful tetra is best matched to similarly sized peaceful fish. Neon tetrasNeon tetras and and harlequin rasborasharlequin rasboras are conditional small peaceful shoal choices, given enough space for both groups and overlapping water requirements. are conditional small peaceful shoal choices, given enough space for both groups and overlapping water requirements.^[1][2]

Bronze corydorasBronze corydoras and and panda corydoraspanda corydoras are conditional smaller callichthyid companions with peaceful bottom-dwelling habits. Keep their own groups and provide sufficient floor space for them. are conditional smaller callichthyid companions with peaceful bottom-dwelling habits. Keep their own groups and provide sufficient floor space for them.^[1]

Avoid Avoid oscarsoscars because they can eat small fish. Avoid because they can eat small fish. Avoid Jack DempseysJack Dempseys because adult predation and territorial behaviour are unsuitable around small tetras. Avoid because adult predation and territorial behaviour are unsuitable around small tetras. Avoid pea pufferspea puffers because they may nip fins, as small size alone does not make a peaceful community fish. because they may nip fins, as small size alone does not make a peaceful community fish.^[5][6][7]

Breeding red phantom tetras

Red phantoms scatter eggs and provide no parental care. For deliberate breeding, use a separate dim aquarium with fine plants or an egg-protecting mesh that excludes adults.Red phantoms scatter eggs and provide no parental care. For deliberate breeding, use a separate dim aquarium with fine plants or an egg-protecting mesh that excludes adults.^[1]

A sponge filter supplies gentle water movement in the breeding tank. Very small first foods such as Paramecium are followed by Artemia nauplii as fry grow.A sponge filter supplies gentle water movement in the breeding tank. Very small first foods such as Paramecium are followed by Artemia nauplii as fry grow.^[1]

Red phantom tetra health problems

Ich is caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. White grains on skin or fins, rubbing and faster breathing are possible signs of infection. Quarantine incoming fish for 30 days, and use separate nets and siphons to prevent moving sticky ich cysts between aquariums. Seek prompt diagnosis if signs appear.Ich is caused by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. White grains on skin or fins, rubbing and faster breathing are possible signs of infection. Quarantine incoming fish for 30 days, and use separate nets and siphons to prevent moving sticky ich cysts between aquariums. Seek prompt diagnosis if signs appear.^[3]

Bacterial fin disease can show ragged or blood-streaked fins, ulcers or sores, with stress making fish more vulnerable to infection. Reduce bacterial disease risk by maintaining good water quality and removing sources of injury or aggression. Observe symptoms before choosing treatment.Bacterial fin disease can show ragged or blood-streaked fins, ulcers or sores, with stress making fish more vulnerable to infection. Reduce bacterial disease risk by maintaining good water quality and removing sources of injury or aggression. Observe symptoms before choosing treatment.^[4][2]

Fungal cotton-wool disease produces pale fluffy growth over damaged tissue. Injury, rough handling and poor conditions let fungi overcome the protective mucus. Prevent fungal entry by handling fish gently, avoiding sharp decor and maintaining water quality. Fluffy growth needs prompt assessment rather than guessing medication.Fungal cotton-wool disease produces pale fluffy growth over damaged tissue. Injury, rough handling and poor conditions let fungi overcome the protective mucus. Prevent fungal entry by handling fish gently, avoiding sharp decor and maintaining water quality. Fluffy growth needs prompt assessment rather than guessing medication.^[4]

Male or female?

Adult males develop longer dorsal and anal fins. Females have deeper bodies.Adult males develop longer dorsal and anal fins. Females have deeper bodies.^[1]

Questions