Edit Megalamphodus megalopterus
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Name
Scientific name
Megalamphodus megalopterus
Described by
Authority Eigenmann, Year 1915, Bracketed
Family
Characidae
Summary
The black phantom tetra, Megalamphodus megalopterus, is a characid from the upper rio Madeira and upper rio Paraguai in Bolivia and Brazil.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
36mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 80 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 20–28°C, pH 5–7
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Bolivia, Brazil, Amazon, Baures, Beni, Branco, Cuiabá, Guaporé, Iténez, Madeira, Mamore, Manuripi, Orthon, Paragúa, Paraguay, Paucerna, Piquiri, Rogagua, São Lourenço
Supporting text
Etymology
Megalamphodus: from the Ancient Greek μεγαλάμφοδος (megalámphodos), meaning 'with spacious ways'. Eigenmann did not explain the name, but it probably refers to…
Distribution
Native to the upper rio Madeira, a major branch of the western Amazon watershed in Bolivia and western Brazil, including its major tributaries the rios Beni an…
Habitat
Typically inhabits still and sluggish tributaries and backwaters, including ponds and small lakes, where it forms aggregations around patches of marginal veget…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 80 ∗ 30 cm31 ∗ 12 in or equivalent should be the smallest considered.
Maintenance
Perhaps looks best in an arrangement comprising a sandy substrate plus some driftwood roots and branches, or heavily-planted planted set-up. The addition of dr…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Likely to be omnivorous feeding on small invertebrates, crustacea, filamentous algae, fallen fruit and suchlike in nature. In aquaria it may survive on a diet …
Behaviour and compatibility
Very peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. It is perhaps best-maintained alongside similarly-sized characids, gastero…
Sexual dimorphism
Adult males possess black fins of which the pelvic, dorsal, and anal are enlarged, while females are deeper-bodied and tend to have reddish pelvic, anal, and a…
Reproduction
An egg-scattering free spawner exhibiting no parental care. When in good condition adults will spawn often and in a mature aquarium it is possible that small n…
Notes
This species is popular in the aquarium hobby and is bred on a commercial basis in several countries. An ornamental 'long-finned' strain is sometimes available…
References
References
15 on this profile