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Red Phantom Tetra

Seguro

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

Também conhecido como: Phantom Tetra, Black Phantom Tetra (though this is a misnomer, often confused with H. megalopterus), Red Phantom

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Descrição

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi, commonly known as the Red 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. This species exhibits a distinct sexual dimorphism, particularly in fin coloration and body shape, which adds to its appeal.

Características físicas

Formato do corpo
compressed
Coloração
The body is generally translucent, ranging from a silvery-pink to a reddish-brown hue. A prominent, vertically elongated black spot is present on the flank, just behind the operculum. Males typically exhibit more intense red coloration, especially in their fins, and have elongated dorsal and anal fins. Females are generally rounder in the belly and have shorter, less intensely colored fins, often with a reddish tint.
Tipo de escama
cycloid
Posição da boca
terminal
Características distintivas
Prominent black humeral spot (behind the gill cover), Red coloration in fins, particularly in males, Sexual dimorphism in fin shape and color
Nadadeira dorsal
Males have an elongated, often pointed dorsal fin with a black anterior edge and red coloration. Females have a shorter, more rounded dorsal fin, often with a reddish tint.
Nadadeira caudal
Forked caudal fin, typically translucent with a reddish tint.
Nadadeira peitoral
Small, clear, and fan-shaped.
Nadadeiras características
Anal fin in males is elongated and often has a black anterior edge and red coloration, while in females it is shorter and more rounded. Adipose fin is present and typically translucent.

Dicas de identificação

Humeral Spot

Look for the distinct, vertically elongated black spot located just behind the gill cover. This is a key identifying feature.

Fin Coloration (Males)

Observe the fins, especially the dorsal and anal fins. Males will display more intense red coloration and elongated fin rays, often with black edging.

Body Shape

Note the compressed body shape. Females tend to have a fuller, rounder belly, especially when gravid.

Schooling Behavior

In their natural habitat and in aquariums, they are typically found in schools, which can aid in identification among similar-looking solitary species.

Habitat

Tipo de água
freshwater
Profundidade
Typically found in shallow, slow-moving waters near the banks of rivers and streams.
Ambiente
Prefers blackwater or clearwater tributaries, oxbow lakes, and flooded forest areas. These environments are often characterized by dense vegetation, leaf litter, and submerged roots, providing ample cover and food sources. Water parameters are typically soft and acidic.
Distribuição geográfica
Native to South America, specifically the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and Colombia. Its distribution includes tributaries such as the Rio Meta and its associated drainages.

Informações sobre aquário

  • Nível de cuidado: intermediate
  • 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 aquariums 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 subdued lighting and open swimming 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: Breeding typically occurs during the rainy season in their natural habitat, when water levels rise and food is abundant. Availability in the aquarium trade is generally consistent due to captive breeding.
  • Preço de mercado: Low to moderate for individual fish, higher for wild-caught specimens or larger schools.
  • 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

Sexual Dimorphismbehavior

Males of Hyphessobrycon sweglesi display significantly more vibrant red coloration in their fins and have elongated dorsal and anal fins compared to females, making them easily distinguishable.

Schooling Behaviorbehavior

These tetras are obligate schooling fish, meaning they thrive and exhibit their most natural behaviors when kept in groups of at least 6-10 individuals. This schooling provides security and enhances their visual appeal.

Blackwater Preferenceinteresting

In their natural habitat, Red Phantom Tetras are often found in blackwater environments, characterized by soft, acidic water stained with tannins from decaying vegetation. Replicating these conditions in an aquarium can significantly improve their health and coloration.

Misnomer Confusioninteresting

Despite its common name 'Red Phantom Tetra', it is frequently confused with the 'Black Phantom Tetra' (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus), which is a distinct species with different coloration and fin characteristics.

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, so care should be taken during netting and transfer to minimize stress and injury.

Espécies similares

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus

While often confused, H. megalopterus has a more pronounced black body coloration, especially in males, and the fins are predominantly black with white tips, lacking the strong red hues of H. sweglesi. The humeral spot in H. megalopterus is typically rounder and less vertically elongated.

Red Minor Tetra

Hyphessobrycon eques

H. eques (also known as Serpae Tetra) has a more robust body, a larger and more triangular black spot, and often exhibits a more aggressive temperament, particularly towards other fish with long fins. Its red coloration is generally more uniform across the body rather than concentrated in the fins as in H. sweglesi.

Rosy Tetra

Hyphessobrycon rosaceus

H. rosaceus typically has a more overall rosy-pink body coloration and often possesses black markings on the dorsal and anal fins, but lacks the distinct, vertically elongated humeral spot of H. sweglesi. The fin shapes and extensions also differ.

Classificação científica

Reino
Animalia
Filo
Chordata
Classe
Actinopterygii
Ordem
Characiformes
Família
Characidae
Gênero
Hyphessobrycon
Espécie
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

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