* For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via FedEx 1Day Service. If your order contains this item, you will only see FedEx 1Day as a shipping option during checkout *

The Black Skirt Tetra is a very striking and elegant tetra that makes a hardy addition to any community aquarium...especially the planted aquarium!

We are now offering LOCALLY BRED specimens of this tetra. These fish are bred by an expert breeder and delivered directly to our facility, which eliminates the otherwise much more stressful and extensive inbound shipment.

What We Like About This Tetra:

Beautiful coloration and fins
Peaceful disposition with fish and peaceful invertebrates
Very active and noticeable fish in any aquarium
Ideal for planted aquariums

Recommended Tank Parameters:

Temperature: 68° - 78° F (20° - 26° C)
pH: 6.0 - 7.0
KH: 5 - 20 dKH
Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons

Black Widow Tetra Overview:

Diet: Omnivorous - will easily accept high quality dry and frozen foods
Social Behavior: Peaceful, schooling/shoaling
Origin: Locally-bred, but indigenous to South America
Average Adult Size: 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Average Purchase Size: .5 - 1 inch (1.3 - 2.5 cm)
Breeding: Egg Layer
Life Expectancy: 3 to 5 years
Care: Easy

The Black Skirt Tetra (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) is a true classic to the aquarium hobby. It remains very popular among aquarists due to its elegant appearance and peaceful disposition. This fish boasts very attractive black coloration and fin extension that make it immediately distinctive in any setting. A school of this fish can easily be the highlight in any peaceful community aquarium, and will particularly stand out in any planted aquarium.

Black Skirt Tetra Care Guidelines:

The Black Skirt Tetra typically occupies the top and middle level of the water column, although it can often be seen swimming and feeding in the middle and bottom levels as well. It is safe to keep with other peaceful, small fish. This tetra has a small mouth, but it still might prey on small adult shrimp. Larger, peaceful invertebrates can also make good tankmates. The Black Skirt Tetra must be kept in schools of 6 or more. Since it is locally bred, this fish is largely adaptable, but its natural habitat contains soft, acidic water rich in tannins and leaf litter. It requires very clean water to thrive and it will display optimal coloration and health in a planted aquarium, especially where floating plants are present.

While not a picky eater, the Black Skirt Tetra will thrive and remain very colorful on a varied diet of omnivorous foods. High-quality flake food, pellets, and frozen or freeze-dried meaty foods will all be readily accepted.

All Aquatic Arts brand plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support!

Black Skirt AKA Black Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), Locally Bred