Black Phantom Tetra Identification Guide
Spot the black phantom tetra by its smoky gray body, dark shoulder patch, and tall black dorsal fin.
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Key identification features
- Grayish to translucent silver body, deeper and more compressed in females
- Black shoulder spot (the "phantom" mark) positioned just behind the gill cover
- Tall, flag-like black dorsal fin, notably larger and more angular in males
- Reddish tint often visible on the pelvic and anal fins, especially in females
- Reaches about 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) in length
Common look-alikes
- Red phantom tetra: shares the same shoulder-spot pattern and body shape but is colored red-orange with a red rather than black dorsal fin.
- Serpae tetra: lacks the sail-like black dorsal fin and instead shows an overall reddish body with a rounder shoulder blotch.
- Diamond tetra: similarly deep-bodied and gray but covered in iridescent flecks rather than a single defined shoulder spot.
Where you'll see one
Originating from slow-moving streams and tributaries of the Paraguay River basin in Brazil and Bolivia, it favors shaded, plant-choked water and schools loosely in mid-water, often staying near cover along the margins of quiet pools.
Frequently asked questions
How do I distinguish male and female black phantom tetras?
Males have a larger, more pointed black dorsal fin and a leaner body, while females are deeper-bodied with more reddish fin tinting.
What separates this species from the red phantom tetra?
Overall body and dorsal fin color: black phantoms are gray with a black dorsal fin, while red phantoms are red-orange with a red dorsal fin.