Care and Compatibility of Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi


Introduction

The Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), also known as the Black Widow Tetra or Black Skirt Tetra, is a freshwater fish belonging to the Characidae family. It is native to South America, particularly the Paraná River and Paraguay River basins. This species is highly valued for its beautiful colors and active behavior. The Black Skirt Tetra has an elongated and laterally compressed body, with predominantly black coloration and red or orange fins. This combination of contrasting colors gives it a striking and attractive appearance in aquariums.

Behavior

The Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) is a peaceful and sociable fish that generally gets along well with other fish of similar size. They are active swimmers and enjoy a spacious aquarium with enough room to explore. They prefer to swim in schools, and it is recommended to keep them in groups of at least 6 individuals. They are omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods, including dry and live foods. It is recommended to provide them with a balanced diet that includes high-quality commercial foods and supplements of live or frozen foods. As for reproduction, the Black Skirt Tetra is a free spawner and is not difficult to breed in a suitable environment.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Gymnocorymbus ternetzi is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Both males and females have a similar appearance. During the breeding season, they may exhibit more active courtship behavior.

Reproduction

The reproduction of the Black Skirt Tetra is possible in suitable aquarium conditions. To stimulate breeding, it is recommended to keep a group of Black Skirt Tetras in a separate aquarium with optimal water conditions. The water temperature should be slightly higher, around 26-28°C (79-82°F). Dim lighting and the presence of floating plants can also help create a conducive environment. The fish will spawn on the substrate or on plants, and the eggs will hatch in approximately 24-48 hours. It is important to remove the adults after spawning to prevent them from eating the eggs or fry.

Aquarium Conditions

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, commonly known as black tetra or phantom tetra, is a popular schooling fish that requires a well-planted aquarium with dense vegetation and open swimming areas. It prefers soft and slightly acidic water. Aquarium décor should include rocks, driftwood, and hardy plants. Maintaining water quality is important and providing a varied diet.

Feeding

The Black Skirt Tetra is an omnivorous fish and will accept a variety of foods. It mainly feeds on commercial foods in the form of flakes or pellets. Live or frozen foods, such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae, can also be offered to provide a balanced and varied diet. It is important to feed them in appropriate amounts and avoid overfeeding to maintain their health and prevent water quality-related issues.

Complexity

Caring for Gymnocorymbus ternetzi is relatively straightforward. They are peaceful fish that adapt well to a variety of water conditions. They are best kept in groups of six or more individuals. They are omnivores and accept a varied diet including commercial and live foods.


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To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Black Skirt Tetra) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Black Skirt Tetra with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 110 species compatible with the Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (Black Skirt Tetra) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (110)

Compatible (81 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Golden Royal Pleco - Sturisoma aureum

Golden Royal Pleco

Sturisoma aureum

Guppy fish - Poecilia reticulata

Guppy fish

Poecilia reticulata

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Swordtail fish - Xiphophorus hellerii

Swordtail fish

Xiphophorus hellerii

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Female Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens Female

Female Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta Splendens Female

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi

German Blue Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Molly fish - Poecilia sphenops

Molly fish

Poecilia sphenops

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Telescope goldfish - Carassius auratus II

Telescope goldfish

Carassius auratus II

Comet Goldfish - Carassius auratus III

Comet Goldfish

Carassius auratus III

Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Hatchet Fish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Hatchet Fish

Thoracocharax stellatus

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Platy Fish - Xiphophorus maculatus

Platy Fish

Xiphophorus maculatus

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Chinese Neon Tetra - Tanichthys albonubes

Chinese Neon Tetra

Tanichthys albonubes

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Ember Tetra - Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Ember Tetra

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis eupterus

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis eupterus

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ruby Tetra - Axelrodia riesei

Ruby Tetra

Axelrodia riesei

Green Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon Simulans

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon Simulans

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Boraras Brigittae Fish - Boraras Brigittae

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Endler Guppy Fish - Poecilia Wingei

Endler Guppy Fish

Poecilia Wingei

Caridina Shrimp - Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Caridina Shrimp

Caridina cf. Cantonensis

Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Espei Rasbora - Trigonostigma espei

Espei Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma viejita

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Nerite Snail - Neritina sp

Nerite Snail

Neritina sp

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Preacox Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia preacox

Preacox Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia preacox

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

IndoPlanorbis Exustus - Planorbis planorbis

IndoPlanorbis Exustus

Planorbis planorbis

Horned Snail - Tyloperlamania sp

Horned Snail

Tyloperlamania sp

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Les gusta mantenerse en grupos de varios individuos de su misma especie.


Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Knowing Yourself From Small (1 Species)

They are compatible but you have to be careful since the monjita fish if it is not in school can become aggressive


Bubble Eye Goldfish - Carassius auratus IV

Bubble Eye Goldfish

Carassius auratus IV

Similar Sizes (11 Species)

Si el pez koi es lo suficientemente grade puede devorar al pez monjita. procurar que el pez monjita no quepa en la boca del koi.


Common carp - Cyprinus carpio

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Princess of Burundi Cichlid - Neolamprologus brichardi

Princess of Burundi Cichlid

Neolamprologus brichardi

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Make sure that the nun fish does not enter the mouth of gray bichir.


Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

With Reservation (8 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Veil tail Goldfish - Carassius auratus I

Veil tail Goldfish

Carassius auratus I

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Firemouth Cichlid - Cichlasoma meeki

Firemouth Cichlid

Cichlasoma meeki

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Paradise Fish - Macropodus Opercularis

Paradise Fish

Macropodus Opercularis

Dragon Violet Goby - Gobioides broussonnetii

Dragon Violet Goby

Gobioides broussonnetii

El Pez Barbo Sumatrano, persigue constantemente las Monjitas, y les muerde las aletas hasta llegar a estresarlos.


Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

Considerable size difference (3 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Discus fish - Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus fish

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Kissing Gourami - Helostoma temminckii

Kissing Gourami

Helostoma temminckii

Food competition (2 Species)

They can live together but you have to be careful since it is likely that the fastest fish will take all the food and leave nothing for their partners who are slow swimmers, so you have to make sure that everyone can eat.


Celestial eye goldfish - Carassius auratus V

Celestial eye goldfish

Carassius auratus V

Wasp Goby - Brachygobius Xanthozona

Wasp Goby

Brachygobius Xanthozona

Compatible if space is enough (4 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Agassiz's Apistogramma - Apistogramma Agassizii

Agassiz's Apistogramma

Apistogramma Agassizii

Butterfly Loach - Beaufortia leveretti

Butterfly Loach

Beaufortia leveretti

Fire Fish Dragon Blood - Aulonocara Firefish

Fire Fish Dragon Blood

Aulonocara Firefish

Multis Fish - Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Multis Fish

Neolamprologus multifasciatus

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
  • Ph: 6 - 8
  • Temperature (c°): 20 - 26
  • Measures: 5 cm - 6cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    9 Liters - 2 Gallons
  • Behavior: Eat fins, Peaceful, Shoal
  • Size: Small
  • Swimming area: Swim in the middle of the aquarium
  • Water Type: Sweet water