Species · Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

Red phantom tetra: tank size, water and tank mates

Prefers cooler, soft water; FKW says it may eat shrimp/snails.

Adult size3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Minimum tank20 US gal
Temperature22–25 °C (72–77 °F)
pH5.5–7.5
Temperamentpeaceful
Keep in groups of8+
Swimsmid
Shrimp & snailsCaution

Check a tank with Red phantom tetra

Good tank mates for Red phantom tetra

These species share its temperature range and temperament, with no fin-nipping or predation risk under our rules. Still check your tank size and bioload in the checker.

African dwarf frog · Black neon tetra · Black phantom tetra · Black ruby barb · Bleeding heart tetra · Bloodfin tetra · Bristlenose pleco · Bronze corydoras · Bumblebee goby · Cardinal tetra · Celestial pearl danio · Checkerboard barb · Cherry barb · Clown killifish · Clown pleco · Colombian tetra · Congo tetra · Diamond tetra · Dwarf neon rainbowfish · Dwarf pencilfish · Ember tetra · Emerald dwarf rasbora · Emperor tetra · Endler's livebearer

Avoid with Red phantom tetra

African butterflyfish (predation) · Agassiz's dwarf cichlid (temperature) · Banded archerfish (predation) · Black ghost knifefish (predation) · Blue acara (predation) · Boeseman's rainbowfish (temperature) · Common / comet goldfish (temperature) · Convict cichlid (temperature) · Demasoni cichlid (aggression) · Discus (temperature) · Fancy goldfish (temperature) · Firemouth cichlid (temperature) · German blue ram (temperature) · Jack Dempsey (predation) · Jewel cichlid (predation) · Moonlight gourami (temperature) · Oscar (predation) · Paradise fish (aggression)

Sources

Checked 2026-11-09 · confidence: low. These are cautious community guidelines, not guarantees. Not veterinary advice. Report an error.