25 Black Phantom Tetra Tank Mates
When choosing tank mates for your Black Phantom Tetras, consider fish size, temperament, and environmental needs. Your chosen mates should be peaceful, non-aggressive species around the same size as your tetras. Ensuring similar water parameters will also help keep everyone comfortable and stress-free.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow, with its shimmering scales and peaceful behavior, can be an ideal tank mate for your Black Phantom Tetras. This small freshwater fish enjoys similar conditions as Black Phantom Tetras, making them highly compatible.
- Compatibility: 5 out of 5
- Tank Size: 10 gallons (38 liters) minimum
- Temperature Range: 64 – 72°F (18 – 22°C)
- Care Level: Easy, suitable for beginners
- Temperament: Peaceful, great for community tanks
- Diet & Feeding: They enjoy a varied diet of flakes, live and frozen food
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters)
Keeping them in a group of 5 or more will ensure they feel secure and display their best behavior. Don’t worry, they’re not known to be fin nippers!
Rummy Nose Tetra
Meet the Rummy Nose Tetra, Hemigrammus rhodostomus. This unique species is most known for their vibrant red ‘noses’.
- Compatibility: 4/5. They make great partners for Black Phantom Tetras with their peaceful temperament and schooling nature.
- Tank Size: A minimum of 20 gallons (around 75 liters) is advisable.
- Temperature Range: They thrive between 75°F-81°F (23°C-27°C).
- Care Level: Relatively easy, which makes them suitable for beginners and experts alike.
- Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish that would add calm and color to your aquarium.
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous. Feeding a variety of flakes, pellets, and live food ensures a balanced diet.
- Adult Size: They mature to approximately 2.5 inches (6.4 cm), so they would not dominate your tank in terms of size.
Cherry Barb
The Cherry Barb, a lively addition to your Black Phantom Tetra tank community, showcases beautiful cherry-red color that certainly captivates the aquarium enthusiasts. A peaceful fish that thrives in 20-26°C (68-78°F) temperature range.
- Compatibility: 5 out of 5
- Tank Size: 20 gal (75 liters)
- Temperature Range: 68-78°F (20-26°C)
- Care Level: Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivore. Everyday flakes or granules, with occasional offerings of live or frozen food.
- Adult Size: 2 inches (5cm)
Cherry barbs are wonderful community fish due to their peaceful nature and easy care. They are a perfect choice as a tank mate for your Black Phantom Tetra. Remember, they like to be in groups, so keep at least six together. This will help them feel safe and comfortable in your aquarium.
Bolivian Ram
Bolivian Ram, scientific name Mikrogeophagus altispinosus, makes a fantastic tankmate for Black Phantom Tetras with its peaceful nature.
- Compatibility: 5/5. This mild-mannered South American cichlid enjoys the company of others just as peaceful.
- Tank Size: 20 gal (75 liters). Spacious environments promote their health and well-being.
- Temperature Range: 70-78 F (21-25 C). Maintaining this temperature range is crucial for their survival.
- Care Level: Intermediate. They require moderate care.
- Temperament: Peaceful. They enjoy calm environments, making them perfect companions for Black Phantom Tetras.
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous. They relish a variety of foods, from flakes to small live organisms.
- Adult Size: 2.5-3.1 inches (6.4-7.9 cm). With their small size, they won’t pose a threat to your tetras.
Pygmy Corydoras
The Pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) is a small, peaceful species perfect as tank mates for your Black Phantom Tetras.
- Compatibility: 5/5
- Tank Size: 10 gallons (38 liters)
- Temperature Range: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous, accept a variety of foods, including sinking pellets, frozen, live and flake foods.
- Adult Size: 1.2 inches (3 cm)
This tiny catfish with a silver body and black line won’t grow much larger than an inch. It appreciates being in a shoal of its kind and should be kept in groups of at least six.
Being bottom dwellers, they help keep tank clean by scouring the substrate for leftovers. These fish are easy to care for, making them excellent choices for beginner aquarists.
Threadfin Rainbowfish
The Threadfin Rainbowfish is a peace-loving creature that adds vibrancy to your aquarium. Strikingly beautiful, yet undemanding, it is compatible with Black Phantom Tetras.
- Compatibility: 5 out of 5
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (75 liters)
- Temperature Range: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
- Care Level: Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – Feed your Rainbowfish flakes, pellets, or live food.
- Adult Size: Up to 2 inches (5 cm)
Despite being an easy-going species, Threadfin requires a spacious tank with plenty of hiding spots. Maintain a balanced diet for optimal health. Recreate a natural-like habitat to make them feel at home, thus enhancing their beautiful coloration.
Dwarf Gourami
The Dwarf Gouramis (Trichogaster lalius) are a peaceful species that can be a good match for your Black Phantom Tetra. A main selling point is their striking hues and compact size, making them a standout in your aquarium.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: 10-20 gallons (38-75 litres)
- Temperature Range: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
- Care Level: Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivore – feed them a diet that includes both plant matter and protein sources. Feeding twice daily is recommended.
- Adult Size: 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm)
Just like your Black Phantoms, Dwarf Gourami love to be kept in a well-planted tank with slow-moving water. Their vibrant colors and active nature will surely liven up your tank.
Neon Tetra
Neon Tetras are undeniably one of the most popular freshwater fish species. They are non-aggressive, easy to care for, and bring vibrant beauty to any aquarium.
- Compatibility: 5/5
- Tank Size: Minimum of 10 gallons (38 liters)
- Temperature Range: 70-78°F (21-26°C)
- Care Level: Easy. They can tolerate a range of water conditions and are hardy.
- Temperament: Peaceful. They are schooling fish, thriving in groups of 6 or more.
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous. They enjoy a variety of foods including flakes, small granules, and live or frozen foods such as daphnia and brine shrimp.
- Adult Size: 1.2 inches (3 cm)
Neon Tetras are an excellent choice for your Black Phantom Tetra tank due to their peaceful nature and similar tank requirements.
Kuhli Loach
The Kuhli Loach, also known as Pangio kuhlii, is a popular choice among Black Phantom Tetra keepers. Why? These eel-like creatures thrive in similar conditions and exhibit playful, non-aggressive behaviors that make them ideal companions in a tranquil aquarium setup.
Let’s look at their basic requirements:
- Compatibility: 5/5
- Tank Size: 20 gallons (75 liters) minimum
- Temperature Range: 73-86°F (23-30°C)
- Care Level: Intermediate
- Temperament: Peaceful and somewhat nocturnal
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous. They appreciate a varied diet including pellets, flakes, and live foods.
- Adult Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)
Remember, your Kuhli Loach enjoys hiding spaces. So, incorporate plenty of plants, rocks, and caves into your tank design to make them feel secure.
Zebra Danio
Zebra Danios are yet another great tank mate for Black Phantom Tetras. Their lively nature and beautiful stripes make them an attractive addition to your aquarium.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: 20 gallons (76 liters)
- Temperature Range: 64-77°F (18-25°C)
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful and sociable
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous, happy to eat flakes or live food
- Adult Size: 2 inches (5 cm)
Zebra Danios love swimming in schools and can bring a splash of color and dynamic movement to your tank. They do well in community tanks and their peaceful nature makes them compatible with the Black Phantom Tetra.
These fish are easy to care for, which makes them a good choice for beginners. Remember to maintain the tank’s cleanliness for their optimal growth and health.
Pearl Danio
Pearl Danios are another excellent option for Black Phantom Tetras tank mates. They’re peaceful and stay relatively small, making them a suitable tank mate for various community fish.
- Compatibility: 5 out of 5
- Tank Size: Minimum 10 gal (38 liters)
- Temperature Range: 68-77°F (20-25°C)
- Care Level: Easy, ideal for beginners
- Temperament: Peaceful, active swimmers
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous, accepts a wide range of foods; flakes, pellets and live or frozen food like brine shrimp or micro worms.
- Adult Size: Up to 2 inches (5 cm)
These beautiful fish, with their iridescent, pearl-like spots, bring a vibrant allure to any fish tank, truly complementing the dark tones of the Black Phantom Tetras.
Glass Catfish
Glass Catfish, is a mystical, transparent fish, also known as Ghost Catfish. They are a great addition to any community tank and make great tank mates for Phantom Tetras as well.
- Compatibility: 4/5
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (about 75 liters)
- Temperature Range: 72-79°F (22-26°C)
- Care Level: Moderate. They require a peaceful environment and can be sensitive to water changes.
- Temperament: Peaceful school fish. They enjoy being in groups of 5 or more.
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous. They eat everything from flake food, to live or frozen food.
- Adult Size: Up to 4 inches (approx. 10 cm)
Keep in mind that Glass Catfish enjoy areas of low light and sufficient hiding spaces, making them fantastic tank mates for the Black Phantom Tetras.
Platies
Platies are vibrant, lively pets that make phenomenal companions for Black phantom tetras. These peaceful fish share similar tank conditions and are renowned for their low maintenance needs.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: 20 gallons (75 liters)
- Temperature Range: 70-79°F (21-26°C)
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivore. They need a balance of pellets/flakes and fresh or frozen foods.
- Adult Size: up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)
The social orbit of platies extends to a wider sphere of species, cohabiting perfectly with tetras. Platies, known for their robust health and dynamic colors, add a visual treat to your tetra tank. With their easy-going nature and similar needs, they can be a delightful addition to your aquarium.
Otocinclus Catfish
The Otocinclus Catfish, also known as the “Oto Cat”, is a small and peaceful species that work well with Black Phantom Tetras. These diligent cleaners are effective at keeping the tank environment pristine.
- Compatibility: 5/5
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons (75 liters)
- Temperature Range: 70-78°F (21-25°C)
- Care Level: Moderate. They require clean water and a diet of algae.
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Feed a diet of algae-based foods & biofilm. Supplement with vegetables or specialized wafers.
- Adult Size: 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm)
Seamlessly blending in any community tank, Oto Cats are less demanding and will contribute to maintaining your aquarium. Be cautious to monitor their well-being, because while they may be hardy, they can be sensitive to drastic changes in their environment.
Glowlight Tetra
The Glowlight Tetra is another suitable choice. They share a similar native environment with the Black Phantom, making their compatibility high.
- Compatibility: 5 out of 5
- Tank Size: 10 gallons / 37.85 liters
- Temperature Range: 74-82°F / 23-28°C
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivore; loves a variety of flake, freeze-dried, frozen, or live foods.
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches / 3.81 cm
Together with the Black Phantom, they can create a vibrant aquatic community. Their peaceful temperament means there’s little chance of conflict, and their easy care requirements make goog environmental partners for beginners and experts alike.
Gold Barb
The Gold Barb, native to Asia, is a visually striking ornamental fish enjoyed for its bright coloration and hardiness.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 gal (76 liters)
- Temperature Range: 64-75°F (18-24°C)
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivore, adaptable to a variety of commercial foods
- Adult Size: 3” (7.6cm)
As part of the barb family, they are peaceful in nature, making them suitable tank mates for Black Phantom Tetras. They thrive in a tank with plenty of plants and have a diet that ranges from flaked food to live or frozen treats. Besides, with a high level of compatibility, you can count on Gold Barbs to add some shimmer to your tank.
Mollies
Mollies are a great choice for your Black Phantom Tetra aquarium. They adapt well to various water conditions, making them a viable choice. With a preference for dense vegetative areas, they enjoy the same environment as your Tetras.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: 20 gallons (75 liters)
- Temperature Range: 70-82°F (21-28°C)
- Care Level: Easy to moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful, but active
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – they thrive on a combination of algae-based flake foods and live foods.
- Adult Size: 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm)
Mollies can be lively tank mates, adding energy to your tank setup without showing aggression. To keep your Mollies happy, ensure that you maintain a good diet and water conditions.
Harlequin Rasbora
Harlequin Rasboras are peaceful and vibrant, making a great addition to a Black Phantom Tetra aquarium. They share similar environmental needs and swim in the middle layers of the tank.
- Compatibility: 5/5 – Highly compatible with Phantom Tetras
- Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (38 liters)
- Temperature Range: 72-81°F (22-27°C)
- Care Level: Easy – Rasboras are hardy and easy to keep
- Temperament: Peaceful – They usually keep to themselves
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – Can eat flake food, micro pellet food, and plant matter
- Adult Size: Up to 2 inches (5 cm) – Small fish with vibrant colors
Harlequin Rasboras are a perfect companion for Black Phantom Tetras, creating a harmonious environment for your color-themed aquarium.
Hatchetfish
Hatchetfish are agile swimmers with a distinctive flying style. They flourish in tanks teeming with vegetation and dimmed lights -a setting similar to their native environment in Central and South America.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: Minimum 20 gal (76 liters)
- Temperature Range: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
- Care Level: Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: They are omnivorous, happily consuming flake food, frozen, or live brine shrimp. Supplement their meals with plankton or daphnia for optimal health.
- Adult Size: 3 in (7.6 cm)
Hatchetfish pair well with Black Phantom Tetras due to their peaceful nature. You will enjoy watching them glide gracefully in your aquarium. However, be sure to have a tank lid as they are known to be great jumpers!
Ember Tetra
Ember Tetras are small and peaceful species, making them excellent tank mates for Black Phantom Tetras. These fishes are known for their bright orange or red bodies that flicker beautifully in the aquarium, hence the name ‘Ember’. These schooling fishes love to swim together, offering dynamic energy to your tank.
Here are some of their characteristics:
- Compatibility: 5/5
- Tank Size: 10 gal (37.85 liter) minimum
- Temperature Range: 73-84°F (23-29°C)
- Care Level: Easy to Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: They are Omnivores. Feeding them high-quality flakes, frozen, or live foods will provide the best results.
- Adult Size: Up to 0.8 inch (2 cm)
Due to their peaceful nature and similar size, Black Phantom Tetras and Ember Tetras make a striking combination for your aquarium. Just remember to maintain their ideal living conditions.
Cardinal Tetra
The Cardinal Tetra, known for its appealing bright blue and red coloring, is a peaceful schooling fish that fits well with Black Phantom Tetras.
- Compatibility: 4.5/5
- Tank Size: 10 gal (40 liter)
- Temperature Range: 73-81°F (23-27°C)
- Care Level: Moderate
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivore, feed them with high-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods.
- Adult Size: 2 inch (5 cm)
They require a well-planted tank with lots of swimming space. The Cardinal Tetra is a shy, peaceful species ideal for Black Phantom Tetras not just for compatibility, but also for creating a dynamic and colorful aquarium. Regular water changes and maintaining a balanced diet are crucial for these brilliant aqua jewels.
Black Skirt Tetra
Black Skirt Tetras are a great choice for your Black Phantom Tetra’s tank. They’re peaceful, easy-going, and adapt well to different environments.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5
- Tank Size: Minimum 15 gallons (56.78 liters)
- Temperature Range: 70 – 85°F (21 – 29°C)
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous, feed a varied diet of flake food, live, frozen, or freeze-dried foods.
- Adult Size: 3 inches (7.62 cm)
Place your Black Skirt Tetras in a group, as they’re schooling fish. But, be careful of their nipping habit. This is common, especially when they feel threatened or scared. To minimize this, keep them in a larger group.
Rosy Barb
Rosy Barb is a versatile and hardy fish that makes an excellent choice as a tank mate for Black Phantom Tetras. They’re popular due to their bright pinkish coloration and peaceful demeanor.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5. Rosy Barbs can coexist peacefully with Black Phantom Tetras, given they are kept in a group to prevent bullying.
- Tank Size: 30 gal (113 liters). They require larger tanks due to their active and schooling nature.
- Temperature Range: 64-72°F (18-22°C). Rosy Barbs thrive in this temperature range.
- Care Level: Moderate. Although hearty, they demand regular water changes and a balanced diet.
- Temperament: Peaceful. They can live in harmony with equals.
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous. Feed them a diet of flakes, frozen, and live foods.
- Adult Size: Up to 6 inches (15 cm), making them a medium-sized companion for your Tetras.
Swordtail
Swordtails are attractive, lively fish known for their unique trailing ‘sword’ shaped tail.
- Compatibility: 4 out of 5 – They peacefully coexist with many species including Black Phantom Tetras.
- Tank Size: 20 gal (76 liters) – Swordtails need room to freely swim.
- Temperature Range: 72-79°F (22-26°C)
- Care Level: Medium – They require a balanced diet and regular tank maintenance.
- Temperament: Peaceful – They’re generally non-aggressive.
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous – They eat both plant-based food and small organisms.
- Adult Size: 5.5 inches (14 cm)
Consider Swordtails as an excellent choice for adding vibrant color and variety to your tropical tank.
Guppies
Guppies are a popular choice as tank mates for Black Phantom Tetras. Their peaceful nature and vibrant colors add a dynamic aspect to your aquarium.
- Compatibility: 4/5
- Tank Size: 5-10 gallons (19-38 liters)
- Temperature Range: 72-82℉ (22-28℃)
- Care Level: Easy
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Diet & Feeding: Omnivorous, can be fed flakes or live food.
- Adult Size: Up to 2.5 inches (6.4 cm)
Care needs to be taken in a tetra-based tank, as the longer fins of the male guppies can, at times, attract unwanted attention from other inhabitants. Even so, guppies usually do well in a community tank and enjoy the company of tetras, contributing to the overall harmony and visual appeal of your aquarium.
Conclusion
It’s crucial to carefully select tank mates for your Black Phantom Tetras to ensure a peaceful and harmonious aquarium. This list of 25 potential tank mates is a great place to start, all of which create an ideal environment for your Tetras.
Remember, the health and well-being of your aquarium residents are paramount. Why not share your tank mate preference in the comments below?