Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
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| Black Widow tetra | |
| |
| Black Widow tetra | |
| Species | Gymnocorymbus ternetzi |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Min. Tank Size | 56.781 liters 56,781.177 mL 15 US Gallons (56.8L) |
| Size | 5.08 cm
1-2 " (2.5-5.1cm) |
| pH | 5.8 - 8 |
| Temp. | 293.15 K 20 °C 527.67 °R 299.261 K |
| Water Hardness |
8-12 |
| Stocking Ratio | 1:2 M:F |
| Availability | Common |
| Diet | |
| Life Span |
5-6 years |
Contents |
[edit] Alternative names
- Black Tetra, Skirt Tetra, Black Skirt Tetra, Butterfly Tetra, Black Widow Tetra, White Skirt Tetra, Petticoat Tetra, Goldskirt Tetra
[edit] Other Scientific Names
- Moenkhausia ternetzi, Tetragonopterus ternetzi
[edit] Sexing
- Females are slightly bigger than males and have a larger belly. Males have a wider anal fin, and a narrower more pointed dorsal fin.
[edit] Tank compatibility
- A peaceful community fish that should be kept in groups of 6 or more. Keep with other peaceful community fish, but nothing with long fins as the Black Widow Tetra may nip, especially if kept in small numbers.
[edit] Diet
- Will accept most foods including pellet and flake as well as live/frozen food such as bloodworm and daphnia.
[edit] Feeding regime
- Feed once or twice a day.
[edit] Environment Specifics
- Keep in a spacious tank with hiding places amongst plants as well as open swimming space. The tank should be mature and well filtered but without too much current. Avoid very bright lights.
[edit] Behaviour
- A peaceful active shoaling fish.
[edit] Identification
- Tall, oval-shaped and highly compressed they are noted for their curved anal fin which is quite long. It is almost as long as the entire rear half of the body. Two known true colour variations are available, the most well known being the Black Skirt Tetra which has a silver body colour while the fins are mostly black with two or three vertical bands on the body. The White Skirt Tetra lacks colour and the body is white, almost appearing pink, while the fins are mostly translucent. Long-fin varieties of both colours have been bred but are difficult to keep as they will fin-nip amongst themselves.
[edit] Special Notes
- This species is one of those fish that is sometimes offered dyed (Many aquarists consider the dying of fish unethical, please read and understand fish dying before purchasing dyed fish). They are often referred to as Fruit Loop Tetras.
- Other natural variations of colour is white. So the Petticoat Tetra or White Tetra is ok.
- There are also 'painted' versions available. These fish are fed particular highly coloured food which alters their body colour. But they quickly loose this colour when taken home.
[edit] Pictures
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 Side view Female |
 Female |
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[edit] External links
Facts about Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
| Availability | Common |
| Common name | Black Widow tetra , Black Tetra, Skirt Tetra, Black Skirt Tetra, Butterfly Tetra, White Skirt Tetra, Petticoat Tetra, and Goldskirt Tetra |
| Diet | Omnivore + |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Family | Characidae + |
| Foods | Pellet Food +, Flake Food +, and Live Food + |
| Maximum Size | 2 in (5.08 cm) + |
| Maximum age | 6 + |
| Maximum hardness | 12 + |
| Maximum pH | 8 + |
| Maximum temperature | 299.261 K (26.111 °C, 79 °F, 538.67 °R) + |
| Minimum Tank Size | 15 US Gallon (56.781 liters, 56,781.177 mL) + |
| Minimum hardness | 8 + |
| Minimum pH | 5.8 + |
| Minimum temperature | 293.15 K (20 °C, 68 °F, 527.67 °R) + |
| Scientific name | Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, Moenkhausia ternetzi, and Tetragonopterus ternetzi |
