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Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, commonly known as the Black Phantom Tetra, is a small, characin fish native to South America. It is highly valued in the aquarium trade for its striking coloration, peaceful demeanor, and schooling behavior. Males exhibit elongated dorsal and anal fins, particularly during courtship displays, and a more intense black pigmentation compared to females. Females are typically rounder in the body and possess reddish adipose and pelvic fins.
Características físicas
- Formato do corpo
- compressed
- Coloração
- Males are predominantly dark grey to black, with a prominent, vertically elongated black spot behind the gill cover, often bordered by a lighter, iridescent vertical bar. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are typically black, with the dorsal and anal fins of males being notably elongated. Females are generally lighter grey to brownish, with the same black shoulder spot, but their adipose and pelvic fins are reddish, and their other fins are less intensely colored and shorter. Both sexes exhibit a subtle iridescent sheen, particularly under certain lighting.
- Tipo de escama
- cycloid
- Posição da boca
- terminal
- Características distintivas
- Prominent black humeral spot (shoulder spot), Elongated dorsal and anal fins in males, Reddish adipose and pelvic fins in females, Subtle iridescent body sheen
- Nadadeira dorsal
- Single dorsal fin, typically black; significantly elongated in males, especially the first few rays.
- Nadadeira caudal
- Forked caudal fin, generally dark or translucent.
- Nadadeira peitoral
- Paired pectoral fins, translucent.
- Nadadeiras características
- Paired pelvic fins, translucent in males, reddish in females. Adipose fin present, small, translucent in males, reddish in females.
Dicas de identificação
Size
Adults typically reach a maximum standard length of 3.5-4.5 cm (1.4-1.8 inches).
Humeral Spot
A distinct, vertically elongated black spot is present behind the gill cover on both flanks. This is a key identifying feature.
Sexual Dimorphism
Males have significantly longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins and a generally darker body coloration. Females have shorter, rounder fins and reddish adipose and pelvic fins.
Schooling Behavior
They are almost always observed in schools, a characteristic behavior that aids in identification in their natural habitat and in aquariums.
Habitat
- Tipo de água
- freshwater
- Profundidade
- Typically found in shallow to moderate depths, often near submerged vegetation or leaf litter.
- Ambiente
- Native to slow-moving tributaries, small rivers, and streams within the Guaporé and Paraguay River basins in Brazil and Bolivia. They prefer clear to blackwater environments with dense vegetation, submerged roots, and leaf litter, which provide shelter and foraging opportunities. Water parameters in their natural habitat are typically soft and acidic.
- Distribuição geográfica
- Upper Guaporé River basin (Brazil and Bolivia) and the upper Paraguay River basin (Brazil).
Informações sobre aquário
- Nível de cuidado: beginner
- Temperamento: peaceful
- Alimentação: omnivore
- Tamanho mínimo do aquário: 60 liters (15 gallons) for a small school
- Temperatura: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- Nível de pH: 5.5-7.5
- Dureza da água: 2-15 dGH
- Compatibilidade: Excellent for community tanks with other peaceful, similarly sized fish such as other small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and dwarf cichlids. Avoid housing with fin-nipping species or very large, aggressive fish.
- Requisitos especiais: Requires a well-planted aquarium with open swimming spaces and some shaded areas. A dark substrate and floating plants can enhance their coloration and provide a sense of security. They are schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least 6-10 individuals to thrive and display natural behaviors.
Informações no ambiente natural
- Estado de conservação: least concern
- Sazonalidade: No specific seasonal behavior patterns are noted for wild populations that significantly impact their availability or behavior, as they are primarily collected for the ornamental fish trade year-round, subject to local regulations and environmental conditions.
- Preço de mercado: Low to moderate (aquarium trade)
- Importância comercial: medium
- Sabor: Not typically consumed due to small size.
- Textura: Not typically consumed due to small size.
- Valor nutricional: Not typically consumed due to small size.
Fatos principais
Courtship Displaybehavior
Male Black Phantom Tetras engage in elaborate courtship displays, flaring their elongated dorsal and anal fins to attract females. These displays are a captivating sight in a well-maintained aquarium.
Blackwater Preferenceinteresting
In their natural habitat, Black Phantom Tetras often inhabit blackwater environments, characterized by water stained dark brown by tannins from decaying organic matter. This preference contributes to their subdued coloration and enhances their iridescent sheen.
Schooling Dynamicsbehavior
When kept in insufficient numbers, Black Phantom Tetras can become shy and withdrawn. A larger school (10+) encourages bolder behavior and more vibrant coloration, as they feel more secure.
Etymologyinteresting
The specific epithet 'megalopterus' is derived from Greek, meaning 'large finned,' referring to the prominent fins of the males.
Informações de segurança
Seguro- Nível de segurança: safe
- Venenoso: Não
- Comestibilidade: not recommended
- Observações de manuseio: No specific handling precautions are required beyond standard fish care. They are small and delicate; handle gently with a fine-mesh net if necessary.
Espécies similares
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
The Black Skirt Tetra is generally larger, has a more compressed, deeper body, and lacks the distinct humeral spot of H. megalopterus. Its black coloration is typically more uniform across the posterior half of the body and fins, without the specific fin elongations seen in male Black Phantoms.
Red Phantom Tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
The Red Phantom Tetra is very similar in body shape and fin structure, including the elongated fins in males and the humeral spot. However, H. sweglesi exhibits a reddish body coloration, particularly in males, and its fins are often reddish, contrasting with the dark grey/black body and fins of H. megalopterus.
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Serpae Tetras are typically reddish-orange with a black humeral spot, but their body shape is generally deeper and more robust than the Black Phantom Tetra. Their fins are not as elongated as those of male Black Phantoms, and their temperament can be more prone to fin-nipping.
Classificação científica
- Reino
- Animalia
- Filo
- Chordata
- Classe
- Actinopterygii
- Ordem
- Characiformes
- Família
- Characidae
- Gênero
- Hyphessobrycon
- Espécie
- megalopterus
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