Black phantom tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 27, 2026Research-based

The black phantom tetra is a smoky gray characin with a large black shoulder patch and dark fins. It is Megalamphodus megalopterus, sold for years as Hyphessobrycon megalopterus, from the upper Rio Madeira (mostly the Rio Guaporé) and the upper Rio Paraguai in Bolivia and Brazil, where it lives in still, weedy backwaters (Seriously Fish). It is bred commercially in several countries, and a long-finned strain is also sold (Seriously Fish). Maidenhead Aquatics says wild fish are rarely seen and are paler. Its genus mate, the serpae tetra, is far more nippy.

Black phantom tetra at a glance

Will black phantom tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: usually safe. None of our sources tested black phantoms with shrimp. Aquarium Co-Op says to avoid medium to large fish with cherry shrimp, and a 1.5-inch peaceful tetra is at the small end. In our reading, full-grown female cherries are too big for them, but small males and freshly molted shrimp are more exposed.
• Shrimplets: expect them to be eaten. Seriously Fish says wild black phantoms feed on small invertebrates and crustaceans, and Neale Monks at Practical Fishkeeping says pretty much any active fish, even one as small as a tetra, views hatchling shrimp as food.
• Eggs and berried females: eggs are safe while carried under the tail.

Dense moss and plants let some babies survive (Aquarium Co-Op), but a group of tetras will thin out each hatch. For similar choices, compare black neon tetras with shrimp, emperor tetras with shrimp and ember tetras with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 68–82 °F, pH 5.0–7.0 and 1–12 dGH; Maidenhead Aquatics gives 72–82 °F, pH 6.0–7.5 and up to 18 dH, and says tank-raised fish adapt to a wide range. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison, about 72–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.0 and GH 4–8 suits both. Black phantoms also accept the soft, acidic water that crystal shrimp need, but crystals do best around 68–74 °F (see crystal red shrimp care), and they are costly to lose as babies, so we would keep them in their own tank (our reading). See shrimp tank pH, GH and KH explained and shrimp tank temperature.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish says a base of 31 × 12 in, about 19 US gallons, is the smallest to consider.
• Planted, with shade: Seriously Fish suggests a sandy substrate with driftwood, or a heavily planted tank, plus dried leaf litter. Maidenhead Aquatics recommends rooted and floating plants for shady areas. Thick moss gives shrimp cover (Aquarium Co-Op). See java moss for shrimp and best plants for shrimp tanks.
• Leaf litter helps both: Seriously Fish says decaying leaves grow microbe films that feed fish and fry; shrimp graze the same films (our reading). See driftwood and botanicals for shrimp.
• Mature tank: shrimp need a cycled, stable tank. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Shrimp-safe intake: a sponge filter or pre-filter keeps shrimplets out of the intake (our suggestion). See shrimp-safe filters.

Group size and behavior

Seriously Fish recommends a mixed-sex group of at least 8 to 10, because males form temporary pecking orders and compete for females, which brings out their best color and behavior. Maidenhead Aquatics recommends 6 or more and says males may squabble, flaring their fins, but no harm follows. Adult males have black, enlarged dorsal, pelvic and anal fins; females are deeper-bodied with reddish fins (Seriously Fish).

Other tankmates

Seriously Fish suggests similar-sized characins, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small Corydoras or Loricariid catfish, and non-predatory small to medium cichlids. Cichlids hunt shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op), so in a shrimp tank stick to small catfish and other peaceful small fish. See corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and hatchetfish with shrimp.

Feeding both

Seriously Fish says they survive on dried food but do best on a varied menu with live or frozen bloodworm, mosquito larvae, Daphnia and Moina. Maidenhead Aquatics lists flake, micropellets and small frozen foods such as Daphnia. Feed the tetras first, then drop sinking shrimp food into a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add black phantom tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish; hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses.
• Consider bigger shrimp. Neale Monks suggests larger shrimp such as Amanos when the fish are likely to eat babies. See Amano shrimp care.
• Acclimate slowly to your water. See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimp numbers for the first few weeks, especially after molts.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Expecting a cherry colony to grow quickly next to a group of tetras.
• Buying a single male or a pair; Seriously Fish recommends a mixed-sex group of 8 to 10 so the displays spread out.
• Mixing them with nippy serpae tetras, a close relative, in the belief they behave alike.
• Keeping crystal shrimp at the warm end of the tetras' range.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will black phantom tetras eat cherry shrimp?

They will eat shrimplets. Full-grown cherry shrimp are usually too big for a 1.5-inch tetra in our reading, but small or freshly molted shrimp are at some risk. We rate them a moderate risk.

How big do black phantom tetras get?

About 1.4 inches (36 mm standard length) per Seriously Fish, or 2 inches (5 cm) overall per Maidenhead Aquatics.

What size tank do black phantom tetras need?

A base of at least 31 by 12 inches, about 19 US gallons (Seriously Fish).

How many black phantom tetras should I keep?

A mixed-sex group of at least 8 to 10 (Seriously Fish); Maidenhead Aquatics says 6 or more.

Do black phantom tetra males fight?

They spar and flare their fins to sort out rank, but Maidenhead Aquatics says no harm follows. A bigger group spreads the displays out (Seriously Fish).

Can black phantom tetras live with crystal shrimp?

The water overlaps, since black phantoms accept soft, acidic water (Seriously Fish), but they will eat baby shrimp. We would keep crystal shrimp in their own tank.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Megalamphodus megalopterus (black phantom tetra) (Megalamphodus megalopterus, formerly Hyphessobrycon megalopterus; upper rio Madeira, mostly the Guaporé, and upper rio Paraguai in Bolivia and Brazil; still and sluggish backwaters near vegetation and roots; bred commercially, long-finned strain; 36 mm SL; base 80 × 30 cm, about 19 US gal; 20–28 °C, pH 5.0–7.0, 1–12 dGH; sandy substrate with driftwood or heavily planted, leaf litter feeds microbes; omnivore eating small invertebrates and crustacea in nature; varied diet with bloodworm, Daphnia, Moina; very peaceful; tankmates; mixed-sex group of at least 8–10, males form temporary dominance hierarchies; males with black enlarged fins, females deeper-bodied with reddish fins); Maidenhead Aquatics (fishkeeper.co.uk), Black phantom tetra (upper Rio Paraguay and Guaporé, Bolivia; wild fish seldom seen and paler; 5 cm; 22–28 °C; pH 6.0–7.5, dH up to 18; tank-raised fish adapt widely; shoals of 6 or more; rooted and floating plants for shade; males squabble without harm; perfectly peaceful; flake, micropellets, small frozen foods; now back in Megalamphodus); Practical Fishkeeping, can I safely add some shrimp? (Neale Monks: almost any active fish, even a small tetra, eats hatchling shrimp; larger shrimp such as Amanos); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (let shrimp numbers build first; hiding places; well-fed fish; many medications unsafe for invertebrates); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (avoid medium to large fish; cichlids hunt shrimp; moss and plants for baby shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type range 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). Risk rating and the shared water range are our reading of these sources.