Black Phantom Tetra Breeding Guide
How to breed Hyphessobrycon megalopterus: sexing by fin colour, male fin-display sparring, a dim acidic spawning tank, egg-scattering, and raising fry on micro foods.
Overview
Hyphessobrycon megalopterus is an egg-scattering free spawner that exhibits no parental care. Well-conditioned adults spawn often, and fry may even appear on their own in a mature, well-planted aquarium. For controlled breeding, a small separate spawning container is used to protect the eggs.
Sexing
Males have black fins, of which the pelvic, dorsal and anal are enlarged. Females are deeper-bodied and tend to have reddish pelvic, anal and adipose fins. Males also spar with one another by displaying with their large fins, which is part of normal courtship behaviour.
Conditioning
Adults can be conditioned together on a varied diet. A separate spawning container filled with mature water is recommended for the actual spawning.
Breeding Setup
- Small spawning container filled with mature water, very dimly lit
- A mesh base that lets eggs fall through out of reach of the adults, plastic grass matting, glass marbles, or fine-leaved plants such as Taxiphyllum or spawning mops
- Temperature towards the upper end of the 20-28°C range
- Slightly acidic to neutral pH
- An air-powered sponge filter or airstone for oxygenation
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Introduce a single pair, or a group comprising one or two males and several females, to the spawning container. Eggs are typically scattered and appear the following morning.
Egg & Fry Care
Because there is no parental care, remove the adults after spawning to prevent predation. Feed the fry an initial food of Paramecium or a proprietary dry food of a sufficiently small (5-50 micron) grade, then move on to Artemia nauplii and microworm once the fry are large enough.
Common Challenges
The main challenge is supplying first foods small enough for the tiny fry; a culture of Paramecium or a 5-50 micron dry food should be ready before the eggs hatch.