Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Family: Characidae • Origin: South America
The Black Skirt Tetra is an extremely hardy, long-lived tetra with dramatic black fins. One of the toughest beginner fish available.
Min Tank
15 gal
Max Size
3"
Temperature
70-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-20 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Very hardy — tolerates wide conditions
- • Keep in groups of 5+
- • Fades to gray with age (normal)
- • Avoid keeping with long-finned bettas
- • Great for new tank cycling
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen and live foods. Easy to feed.
Compatibility Notes: Generally peaceful but may nip very slow, long-finned fish. Avoid bettas.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 15 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 5+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 70–82°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–20
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 2/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Generally peaceful but may nip very slow, long-finned fish. Avoid bettas.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- easy
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
15 galloncommunitybeginners
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Diamond Tetra
Moenkhausia pittieri
75-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Penguin Tetra
Thayeria boehlkei
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3"
Bloodfin Tetra
Aphyocharax anisitsi
64-82°FpH 6-810+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.2"
Red Eye Tetra
Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.8"