Black Skirt Tetra

Black Skirt Tetra a.k.a Black Tetra a.k.a Black Phantom Tetra
"gymnocorymbus ternetzi"

A very peaceful and fun loving tropical fish. One of my favorite species. They are usually darker in their young but will turn grey as they grow older.




Original Habitat:
Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia.
Sex:
Male are thinner with narrower dorsal fin.
Max Length:
6 cm at most.
Temperature:
21 to 25 degrees Celcius.
Water:
They strive well in wide range of water types.
Social Characteristics:
They will be very happy when in school of five specimens. A larger shoal is preferred though. The young are very peaceful and tolerant but some of them might develop a selfish behavioral problem as they grew. This fishes mainly stay in the middle zone of your aquarium.
Accommodation:
Black tetra as its name imply, love to be in an aquarium with dark substrate. In a dark bottom aquarium, they'll feel happier which will bring out their colour better. It is advisable to put in some peripheral vegetation, at the same time maintain a spacious open space for them.
Food:
This hardy, tropical fish are omnivores. They may eat a wide variety of food range. Putting in some life vegetation in your aquarium will be seen as a supplement food.
Breeding:
They are free layers and given ideal condition (which is similar to their original accommodation) this fishes may start laying eggs. They also sees the eggs as part of their diet so it is the best if your remove the parents after spawning take place.
Special Remarks:
Even though this fish originated from South American area, due to its adaptability and hardiness they can be easily breed. Most of this tropical beauty that are sold in Malaysia are locally breed. It is very easy to see if they are happy or not as theit colour waned should they are unhappy.