Red phantom tetra

The red phantom tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi) is a small, peaceful characin endemic to the upper and middle Orinoco River watershed in Colombia and Venezuela. It inhabits minor tributaries, smaller rivers, oxbows, and flooded forests rather than main river channels, occurring in both clearwater streams with sandy substrates and blackwater habitats stained by tannins. Males are particularly attractive with a bright red body colouration and extended dorsal and anal fins, while females are somewhat deeper-bodied and less intensely coloured. This species reaches a maximum standard length of 30 to 35 mm and should be maintained in groups of at least 8 to 10 specimens to encourage natural schooling behaviour and dominance hierarchies in which males display their best colours competing for female attention. The aquarium should be at least 80 cm in length with a base area equivalent to 80 × 30 cm (approximately 72 litres), furnished with a sandy substrate, driftwood roots and branches, and dried leaf litter that promotes beneficial microbe colonies. Water should be soft and acidic to neutral (pH 4.5 to 7.5) with temperatures between 20 and 28 °C. The red phantom tetra is very peaceful and makes an excellent community fish alongside similarly-sized characins, smaller catfishes, and dwarf cichlids. It is omnivorous and thrives on a varied diet of quality dried foods supplemented with live and frozen Daphnia, bloodworm, and mosquito larvae.