The Black Phantom Tetra is a shoaling species native to the Rio Guapore and upper Rio Paraguay regions of Brazil and Bolivia. These fish tend to inhabit clear waters where vegetation grows densely. This species of Tetra exhibits a light gray or silver coloration. Most specimens have a black patch behind the gills on either side of the body which may be edged in silver. Males of the species typically have black fins while the fins in female Black Phantom Tetras are often red, with the exception of a black dorsal fin.