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Contents
Overview
The black skirt tetra, also called the black widow tetra, is a deep-bodied, laterally compressed characin that reaches about 2.2 inches (5.5 cm). It has two black vertical bars on the front of the body, while the rear half and the flowing anal and dorsal fins are black, a color that tends to fade to gray with age. It comes from the Paraguay and Guaporé basins in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.
It is one of the hardiest and easiest tetras, ideal for beginners. Long-finned, albino and brightly colored forms exist; avoid fish that have been artificially dyed. Its only tricky side is temperament: in small groups it may nip the fins of slow fish.
Care and tank setup
A group of eight needs at least 26 gallons (100 L), with a tank about 32 inches (80 cm) long. It requires a filter and a heater, but adapts to a wide range of water conditions as long as they are clean and stable.
- Group size: keep a school of eight or more so their squabbles stay within the group and other species are left alone.
- Tank mates: corydoras, small plecos, danios, similar-sized barbs, other active tetras and calm medium-sized cichlids.
- Avoid: bettas, young angelfish, long-finned guppies and slow gouramis. Small shrimp are also at risk.
- Aquascape: plants along the sides, driftwood and an open swimming area. Dark substrate intensifies the black.
Change about 25% of the water weekly and never add them to an uncycled tank. Never release them into the wild.
Feeding
An omnivore that is very easy to feed. It eats flakes, small pellets and powdered foods and enjoys frozen or live brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms or cyclops several times a week. It will also take some plant-based food. Offer two small meals a day; a varied diet keeps its color strong and reduces fin nipping.
Breeding
A very prolific egg scatterer that releases hundreds of eggs among fine plants and gives no care. It is one of the easiest tetras to breed: a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water, moss or a mesh and a well-fed pair is usually enough. Remove the parents after spawning. The fry take infusoria, then baby brine shrimp.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Black skirt tetra. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Panda cory Corydoras panda 16 gal (60 L) · 68–77 °F (20–25 °C) 
Dwarf gourami Trichogaster lalius 16 gal (60 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Otocinclus catfish Otocinclus vestitus 16 gal (60 L) · 70–79 °F (21–26 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Black skirt tetra, and why.
- Betta fish: nips long fins
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Angelfish: one may eat the other due to size, nips long fins
- Guppy: nips long fins
- Clown loach: one may eat the other due to size
- Oranda goldfish: nips long fins
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Black skirt tetra healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Black skirt tetra need?
At least about 100 liters for a group of at least 8 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Black skirt tetra need?
Between 21 and 27 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Black skirt tetra?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Bristlenose pleco, Bronze cory, Zebra danio, Cherry barb and Tiger barb. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Black skirt tetra be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
