Black skirt tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Family : Characidae

FishFreshwatercharacids

The black skirt tetra is a very common freshwater fish, recognizable by its large black dorsal fin and silvery body.

Black skirt tetra — photo 1 sur 4 — Serer · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.01 / 4

Popularity

Community fish

classic in freshwater aquarium

Availability

Common in shops

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Biotope

South America

Hors bassin amazonien : Paraná, Orénoque, Andes.

Description

It reaches about 6 cm. Its body is silvery with a gray tint, and the dorsal, anal and caudal fins are black. Long-finned varieties exist. A schooling fish, peaceful but may be slightly territorial with conspecifics. Hardy and easy to keep.

Habitat

Region :

The black skirt tetra lives in slow, clear waters of the Paraguay and Guaporé rivers, with dense aquatic vegetation and sandy bottom.

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature22–28 °C

pH6–7.5

GH4–12 °dGH

KH3–8 °dKH

NO₃

≤ 20 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 0.3 mg/L

Care

Difficulty

1/5

Diet

Omnivore

Min. tank

80 L

Min. group

Adult size

6 cm

Lifespan

5 years

Temperament

Peaceful

Propagation

Care notes

Temperature 22–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, moderate hardness. A minimum 80-liter tank for a school of 6. Water can be neutral to slightly acidic. Décor with plants and hiding spots. Diet: flakes, pellets, live foods. Compatible with other peaceful fish of similar size. Avoid long-finned species (risk of fin nipping).

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