What fish can live with Black phantom tetra?

Usually safer companions on this hub include Chili Rasbora, Dwarf Gourami, Ember Tetra, Glowlight Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Neon Tetra. Open each pair check before you buy — the list is a shortlist, not a guarantee.

What tank mates should you avoid with Black phantom tetra?

Avoid African Cichlid, Green Terror, Jack Dempsey, Oscar based on size, temperament, or predation risk on this profile.

What size tank do Black phantom tetra need for a community?

80L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload. A 98L+ tank is the more comfortable long-term footprint. Length and depth matter as much as raw litres for active or territorial fish.

Black phantom tetra tank mates

A 3.5 cm deep-bodied tetra in black or red morph. Males spread fins in display in competition. A school of eight or more produces constant passive display behaviour.

Common mistakeBuying only one morph and calling the tank finished is how keepers miss the visual point of phantoms. Red and black morphs school together, and the contrast is the effect. A single-morph handful in a short tank also concentrates male harassment — stock six or more with midwater escape structure.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Each name below opens a pair check with Black phantom tetra. That check is the decision, not the list itself.

← Full Black phantom tetra profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More tetra

Usually safer companions

Conservative shortlist from this profile. Open a pair page before you buy.

Chili Rasbora Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Chili Rasbora as a safe tank mate. Chili Rasbora schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Dwarf Gourami Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Dwarf Gourami as a recommended pairing. Dwarf Gourami grows bigger than Black phantom tetra (8cm vs 3.5cm). Stock the Black phantom tetra group large enough to outnumber the Dwarf Gourami, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
Ember Tetra Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Ember Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Ember Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Glowlight Tetra Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Glowlight Tetra as a safe tank mate. Glowlight Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Harlequin Rasbora Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Harlequin Rasbora as a recommended pairing. Harlequin Rasbora schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Neon Tetra Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Neon Tetra as a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Panda Corydoras Pair check
The Black phantom tetra profile lists Panda Corydoras as a safe tank mate. Panda Corydoras schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.

Risky or situational

May work with more water, a mature system, or a species-only setup. Read the pair page before you experiment.

Corydoras Catfish Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Kribensis Open pair check
Kribensis is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Black phantom tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Pea Puffer Open pair check
Pea Puffer is flagged as a fin-nipper and Black phantom tetra carries the long-finned risk profile (veil tails, trailing fins). Expect torn fins within days unless the nipper is in a proper group and the long-finned fish has plenty of cover. Pea Puffer is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Pea Puffer is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Black phantom tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Tiger Barb Open pair check
Tiger Barb is flagged as a fin-nipper and Black phantom tetra carries the long-finned risk profile (veil tails, trailing fins). Expect torn fins within days unless the nipper is in a proper group and the long-finned fish has plenty of cover. Tiger Barb is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Black phantom tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Yoyo Loach Open pair check
Yoyo Loach is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Black phantom tetra. Run the pair checker before stocking.

Fish to avoid with Black phantom tetra

Predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile. Treat these as poor default mixes.

African Cichlid See why (pair)
African Cichlid reaches 15cm and is flagged predatory. Black phantom tetra at 3.5cm is prey-sized for it. African Cichlid needs at least 200L, far above the 80L minimum for Black phantom tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. African Cichlid is rated aggressive and Black phantom tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Green Terror See why (pair)
Green Terror reaches 30cm and is flagged predatory. Black phantom tetra at 3.5cm is prey-sized for it. Green Terror needs at least 300L, far above the 80L minimum for Black phantom tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Green Terror is rated aggressive and Black phantom tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Jack Dempsey See why (pair)
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Black phantom tetra at 3.5cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey needs at least 200L, far above the 80L minimum for Black phantom tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Black phantom tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Black phantom tetra at 3.5cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 80L minimum for Black phantom tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Black phantom tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Black phantom tetra: 80L. Group minimum 6 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other. That is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 80L hub.

Plan before you buy

Start a pair check with Black phantom tetra, or open a starter plan with the top safer companions in the builder.

Open pair checker Open this plan in builder

Tank hubs: 80L

Filtration & heating

A 80L minimum tank for Black phantom tetra needs a filter rated for at least 320L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–28°C.

Filter size guide →Heater size guide →Tank setup checklist →Beginner plants guide →

Related (care + temperament)