Megalamphodus sweglesi
| Red phantom tetra | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Genus: | Megalamphodus |
| Species: | M. sweglesi
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| Binomial name | |
| Megalamphodus sweglesi Géry, 1961
| |
| Synonyms | |
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Hyphessobrycon sweglesi | |
Megalamphodus sweglesi[2] is a species of tetra that lives in the Orinoco River drainage basin in South America.[3] Its common name is red phantom tetra.[4] It grows up to 4 cm (1.6 in).[5]
It was previously classified in the genus Hyphessobrycon, as with other members of its genus.[2]
Appearance
[edit]The fish has a round black spot behind the gill-plate, a black band on the dorsal fin that is bordered above and below by creamy-white. The other fins are red same as the upper rim of the eye.[6] The species' appearance is very similar to Megalamphodus megalopterus (black phantom tetra).
In the aquarium
[edit]Water conditions
[edit]Aquarists keep this fish in water ranging from 20 to 23 °C (68 to 73 °F) that is soft (50–100mg/L) and acidic (pH 6.5).[5] The H. sweglesi is reported to be very sensitive to water chemistry, which affects the fish's coloration.[5] Frequent water changes are advised for it to thrive and to induce it to breed.[5]
Diet
[edit]The fish eats worms, small insects, and crustaceans.[3] In captivity, aquarists feed it prepared foods and small live foods.[5]
Breeding
[edit]The species can lay up to 400 eggs that can hatch in a day. The eggs are susceptible to fungus.
Aquarists put dark substrate in the spawning tank to protect the eggs from light.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Taphorn, D.C.; DoNascimiento, C.; Herrera-Collazos, E.E.; Mojica, J.I.; Rodríguez-Olarte, D. & Villa-Navarro, F. (2021). "Hyphessobrycon sweglesi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T61662727A61662735. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T61662727A61662735.en. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ a b Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Megalamphodus". Catalog of Fishes. California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hyphessobrycon sweglesi". FishBase. November 2009 version.
- ^ "Red Phantom Tetra Information". Tropical Fish Aquariums. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
- ^ a b c d e f Alderton, David (2019). Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-2413-6424-6.
- ^ McInerny, Derek; Geoffry Gerard (1989). All About Tropical Fish (4th ed.). Great Britain: Harrap Limited. pp. 248. ISBN 0-8160-2168-6.
External links
[edit]- Red Phantom Tetra Fact Sheet Archived 2012-10-27 at the Wayback Machine
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