Hyphessobrycon sweglesi

Hyphessobrycon sweglesi is a species of tetra that lives in the Orinoco River drainage basin in South America.[2] The species' scientific name used to be Megalamphodus sweglisi and the species' common name is red phantom tetra.[3] It grows up to 4 cm (1.6 in).[4]

Red phantom tetra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Hyphessobrycon
Species:
H. sweglesi
Binomial name
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi
(Géry, 1961)

Appearance

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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.[5] The species' appearance is very similar to Hyphessobrycon megalopterus (black phantom tetra).

In the aquarium

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Water Conditions

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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).[4] The H. sweglesi is reported to be very sensitive to water chemistry, which affects the fish's coloration.[4] Frequent water changes are advised for it to thrive and to induce it to breed.[4]

Diet

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The fish eats worms, small insects, and crustaceans.[2] In captivity, aquarists feed it prepared foods and small live foods.[4]

Breeding

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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.[4]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hyphessobrycon sweglesi". FishBase. November 2009 version.
  3. ^ "Red Phantom Tetra Information". Tropical Fish Aquariums. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ McInerny, Derek; Geoffry Gerard (1989). All About Tropical Fish (4th ed.). Great Britain: Harrap Limited. pp. 248. ISBN 0-8160-2168-6.
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