Hyphessobrycon sweglesi is a species of tetra that lives in the Orinoco River drainage basin in South America.[1] The species' scientific name used to be Megalamphodus sweglisi and the species' common name is red phantom tetra.[2] It grows up to 4 cm (1.5 in).[3]
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.[4] The species' appearance is very similar to Hyphessobrycon megalopterus (black phantom tetra).
Aquarists keep this fish in water ranging from 20°C to 23°C (68°F to 73°F) that is soft (50-100mg/L) and acidic (pH 6.5).[3] The H. sweglesi is reported to be very sensitive to water chemistry, which affects the fish's coloration.[3] Frequent water changes are advised for it to thrive and to induce it to breed.[3]
The fish eats worms, small insects, and crustaceans.[1] In captivity, aquarists feed it prepared foods and small live foods.[3]
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.[3]
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi is a species of tetra that lives in the Orinoco River drainage basin in South America. The species' scientific name used to be Megalamphodus sweglisi and the species' common name is red phantom tetra. It grows up to 4 cm (1.5 in).
