Red Phantom Tetra Identification Guide
Identify the red phantom tetra by its glowing red body and a black, white-rimmed shoulder patch.
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Key identification features
- Compact, laterally compressed body about 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, colored deep red to orange-red
- Distinctive black shoulder spot bordered above by a thin white or silvery line, the "phantom" mark
- Tall, sail-like dorsal fin edged in black and tipped white, larger and more pointed in males
- Red anal fin with a dark leading edge
- Body coloration intensifies with age and good condition
Common look-alikes
- Black phantom tetra: near-identical body shape but grayish rather than red, with a solid black dorsal fin instead of a red one.
- Serpae tetra: similar red tones but a rounder shoulder blotch without the white border and a shorter dorsal fin.
- Bleeding heart tetra: also reddish and deep-bodied, but its mark is a rounded red spot on the flank rather than a black shoulder patch.
Where you'll see one
Native to slow, blackwater tributaries of the upper Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela, this species schools in tannin-stained, densely vegetated forest streams.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell a red phantom tetra from a black phantom tetra?
Compare body color and dorsal fin: red phantoms are red-orange with a red dorsal fin, while black phantoms are grayish with a solid black dorsal fin.
What is the key mark that gives this fish its 'phantom' name?
A black shoulder spot outlined by a thin pale line just behind the gill cover.