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

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…

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 numbers of fry may start to appear without intervention, but if you want to maximise yield a more controlled approach is required.

The adult group can still be conditioned together but a smaller aquarium should also be set up and filled with mature water. This should be very dimly lit and the base covered with some kind of mesh of a large enough grade so that the eggs can fall through but small enough so that the adults cannot reach them. The widely available plastic 'grass'-type matting can also be used and works well, as does a layer of glass marbles. Alternatively, filling much of the tank with a fine-leaved plant such as Taxiphyllum spp. or spawning mops can also return decent results.

The water itself should be of slightly acidic to neutral pH with a temperature towards the upper end of the range suggested above. An air-powered sponge filter or air stone(s) should also be included to provide oxygenation and water movement.

When the adult fish are well-conditioned a single pair or group comprising one or two males and several females can then be introduced to each container and left in place until eggs are detected (typically the following morning).

Initial food should be Paramecium or a proprietary dry food of sufficiently small (5-50 micron) grade, introducing Artemia nauplii, microworm, etc., once the fry are large enough to accept them.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Pages

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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

15 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References