The Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, also known as the Black Ghost Tetra, is a small South American characid that is highly prized for its smoky grey body and large black patch on its flank, highlighted by transparent or reddish fins. Peaceful, gregarious and elegant in schools, it is perfect for community planted aquariums.

Origin & habitat

Native toSouth America, Hyphessobrycon megalopterus mainly comes from the Rio Paraguay and Rio Guaporé basins (Brazil, Bolivia). It frequents calm streams, backwaters and flooded areas with soft, slightly acidic water, often tinted by tannins, with a dark substrate, roots, dead leaves and dense vegetation.

Description & sexual dimorphism

• Adult size: 3.5-4 cm
• Lifespan: 4 to 5 years in good conditions
• Body: fusiform, slightly compressed laterally
• Colouring: smoky grey to brownish with a large rounded black spot in the middle of the flank
• Fins: translucent fins, often slightly smoky or reddish, dorsal fin more developed in the male.

Sexual dimorphism is marked:

• Males have a higher, more pointed dorsal fin, sometimes turning black.
• Females are rounder and slightly lighter, with a shorter dorsal fin.

Recommended water parameters

• Temperature: 23-27°C
• pH: 5.8-7.2 (slightly acidic to neutral)
• Hardness: 2-10 °dGH (soft to slightly mineralised water)
• Water quality: no nitrites, low nitrates, clean, well-oxygenated water

Like all small characids, it appreciates stable water with regular changes (20-30% per week) and effective filtration without excessive current.

Aquarium maintenance

• Minimum recommended volume: from 80-100 L with a good front length.
• Decor: densely planted aquarium, roots, branches, dead leaves, shaded areas
• Substrate: preferably dark, to enhance the "ghost" effect and contrasts
• Swimming area: mainly the middle and lower third of the tank
• Lighting: moderate, ideally subdued by floating plants

An Amazonian biotope-type setting (tannins, roots, leaves, soft light) will quickly give it confidence and bring out its smoky colours and characteristic black spot.

Behaviour & living together

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus is a gregarious, calm and rather peaceful fish. It should be kept in shoals of at least 8 to 10 individuals, ideally more, to limit stress and observe natural behaviour.

• Character: active but non-aggressive, interacting mainly with other fish (displays, hierarchy).
• Ideal mates: other calm little grouse, rasboras, corydoras, small loricarids, peaceful dwarf gouramis.
• Avoid: large, agitated or predatory fish, aggressive or overly lively species that can stress them.

In a well-arranged tank, they will thrive in attractive, contrasting groups, offering an elegant spectacle amid the plants.

Diet

An omnivore with a tendency to eat insects, the Black Ghost Tetra readily accepts a varied diet:

• Dry food: fine flakes, quality micro-granules for small tropical fish.
• Live/frozen supplements: artemia, daphnia, cyclops, mosquito larvae, all very popular.
• Plant-based: food containing spirulina or plant extracts for good digestive balance.

Give 2-3 small meals a day, eaten in a few minutes, to avoid overfeeding and maintain good water quality.

Reproduction in an aquarium

Hyphessobrycon megalopterus can be reproduced by motivated aquarists. It is a free-laying species that spreads its eggs among fine vegetation.

• Breeding tank: small dedicated volume, heavily planted (Java moss, fine-leaved plants) or equipped with spawning mops.
• Parameters: soft, slightly acidic water, very subdued lighting, very clean water.
• Introduce a couple or a small group of well-fed livebearers to stimulate egg-laying.
• Remove adults after spawning, as they may consume eggs and fry.
• Feed the fry with infusoria, followed by artemia nauplia adapted to their size.

Aquabota tips

• Maintain a large shoal to limit shyness and take advantage of a superb group effect.
• Choose a dark background and soft lighting to highlight the black spot and smoky tones.
• Choose calm roommates of similar size to create a harmonious community.
• Make sure the water is clean, well-oxygenated and has stable parameters for stronger, more colourful fish.

Quick facts

• Zoological Name: Hyphessobrycon megalopterus
• Common name: black ghost tetra
• Origin: South America (Rio Paraguay basin, Rio Guaporé)
• Adult size: 3.5-4 cm
• Swimming zone: middle / lower third
• Temperature: 23-27°C
• pH: 5.8-7.2
• Hardness: 2-10 °dGH
• Behaviour: gregarious, very peaceful
• Difficulty level: easy to intermediate

Shipping & Delivery of live fish

Our Hyphessobrycon megalopterus are prepared with the greatest care in our Aquabota fishroom. Each fish is selected, acclimatised and observed before shipping to ensure optimum health.

• Packaging: oxygenated bags, insulated in crates specially designed for transporting live fish.
• Transport: express delivery via specially adapted carriers, to keep time spent in transit to a minimum.
• Temperature: addition of heaters or ice packs depending on the catch.