What tank size does a Red Phantom Tetra need?

A Red Phantom Tetra needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 80 cm (31.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a Red Phantom Tetra need?

Red Phantom Tetra does best at 20–28 °C (68–82.4 °F), pH 4.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 1–12 °dGH.

What group size does a Red Phantom Tetra need?

Red Phantom Tetra is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.

Is the Red Phantom Tetra suitable for beginners?

Yes — Red Phantom Tetra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

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Red Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

Characidae

FishDifficulty: ●●○○○Data: well-established

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About

The red phantom tetra is a small translucent-red characin from the upper and middle Rio Orinoco watershed of Colombia and Venezuela, where it lives in shaded, slow-moving tributaries and floodplain pools. It is the counterpart of the black phantom - slightly smaller at around 3.5 cm, with a rounded black shoulder blotch and red fins - and males stage constant harmless flag-waving contests among themselves. Peaceful, hardy and easy to feed, it is often mistaken for the serpae tetra, which looks similar but grazes plants in a way the phantoms do not.

Care

Keep a shoal of 8-10 or more in a planted tank of at least 80 cm with soft, slightly acidic water, gentle flow and dim light over a dark substrate. An undemanding community fish for tankmates of similar size.

Diet

Micro-omnivore taking small invertebrates and plant matter. Feed varied dry foods plus regular frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and moina for full colour.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Belly depthA hint only · only on well-fed adults, and only as a comparison
For most tetras, barbs and rasboras this is all there is: a conditioned female is deeper through the belly than a male of the same length.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Shrimp-safe fish Fish for a first aquarium Peaceful community fish Fish for a 112 litre tank

Similar species

Same category and the closest water parameters — if this species isn't quite it, start here.

Serpae Tetra Lemon Tetra Black Neon Tetra Neon Tetra Purple Tetra Dawn Tetra

Sold in Lithuania

These Lithuanian shops listed this species in their public catalogue (checked August 8, 2026). Stock moves — ask before you travel.

zuvytes.com aquasharks.lt

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Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a Red Phantom Tetra need?: A Red Phantom Tetra needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 80 cm (31.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a Red Phantom Tetra need?: Red Phantom Tetra does best at 20–28 °C (68–82.4 °F), pH 4.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 1–12 °dGH.
What group size does a Red Phantom Tetra need?: Red Phantom Tetra is a social species — keep a group of at least 8 so natural behaviour emerges and stress stays low.
Is the Red Phantom Tetra suitable for beginners?: Yes — Red Phantom Tetra is one of the easier species to keep and forgives typical first-tank mistakes, as long as the aquarium is cycled and maintained.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature20–28°C

Optimal temp.23–26°C

pH4.5–7.5

Hardness (GH)1–12°d

Carbonate (KH)0–8°d

Adult size3.5 cm

Min. volume≥ 75 L

Min. tank length≥ 80 cm

Group size≥ 8

Swimming zoneMid

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~5 yrs

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