How big does Black Skirt Tetra get?

Black Skirt Tetra reaches an adult standard length of 4–6 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Black Skirt Tetra need?

20–26 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 6 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Black Skirt Tetra?

At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.

What is Black Skirt Tetra like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can Black Skirt Tetra be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Black Skirt Tetra and Angelfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 10Freshwater

Black Skirt Tetra黑裙鱼

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi · Characidae

Fry wear a wide black skirt; its 20-26 °C range bridges cool and tropical setups.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 10 · Black Skirt Tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 黑裙鱼
Scientific name: Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Family: Characidae
Origin: Paraguay and Parana river basins, South America
Adult size: 4–6 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Beginner
School size: ≥ 6
Min. tank: 60 L
Min. length: 60 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.20–26 °C

pH6–7.5

Hardness2–12 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1The skirt is broad in juveniles and narrows with age; the common name comes from the fry look.
2Nips the long fins of angelfish and bettas, so mix it with short-finned, fast-swimming fish.
3Tolerates 20-26 °C and is one of the few tetras that suits an unheated tank.
4Six or more spreads the nipping, and wood plus plants break lines of sight.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Black Skirt Tetra against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Black Skirt Tetra get?: Black Skirt Tetra reaches an adult standard length of 4–6 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Black Skirt Tetra need?: 20–26 °C, pH 6–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 6 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Black Skirt Tetra?: At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.
What is Black Skirt Tetra like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can Black Skirt Tetra be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Black Skirt Tetra and Angelfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.