Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
Tetragonopterus ternetzi
Moenkhausia ternetzi
Common name
Black tetra
Black widow tetra
Origin
Origin: Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
Biotope: Amazonian
Dimorphism
The smaller male with more contrasting colour
Group
Characidae
Volume
120 L / 26 imp gal / 32 US gal
Parameters
T°: 24 to 28°C or 75 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 7
Hardness: 1 to 8°dGH
Difficulty
Easy
Size
5 to 6 cm (2 to 2.4")
Longevity
4 to 5 years
Living zone
Middle and depth
Individuals
10
Food
Food
How to feed the Black tetra?
Omnivorous: all forms of food are accepted.
Behavior
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Black tetra have?
It is a keen fish and a tireless swimmer. It is rather peaceful but can become shy or on the contrary become aggressive if it is kept in too few numbers. Like all species of the genus, it is gregarious and must imperatively be kept in a shoal.
Cohabitation
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Black tetra?
It lives very well with larger species provided they are peaceful (like the Scalar for example). On the other hand, for smaller species, do not go below 4 cm (1.5 inches) because it could stress them.
Note that it can also be a source of stress for calmer and shy fish. It has the reputation of being a fin nibbler.
However, this behavior only appears if the Tetra is kept in too small numbers. In a sufficient group, disputes usually remain internal to the species. To avoid any problem, it is nevertheless advisable to avoid the cohabitation with the sailfish like the Guppy or the Fighters. Also note that its vivid nature can easily intimidate the Corydoras.
You can associate them with other Tetras, Danios or Rasboras.
Breeding
Breeding
How to breed the Black tetra?
With some knowledge, breeding of this species is possible. Spawning is done in pairs or in groups. Place in a spawning tank (50 L / 11 imp gal / 13 US gal) equipped with a protective grid and java mousse, a couple or a group. Temperature 24°C or 75°F and pH at 6.5/7. You can first separate males from females and stimulate breeding by feeding many individuals with live or frozen prey. Females are very prolific.
After spawning, remove the parents and lower the water height to 10 cm (4 inches), to gradually raise it when the fry will grow. Also keep this aquarium in complete darkness until hatching occurs after 20/24h. The development of fry is quite fast.
Food fry: infusoria, nauplies artemia and cyclops.
Its aquarium
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Black tetra?
The Black Tetra is not very lookful about its decoration. However, it will be more comfortable in a luxurious aquarium with many hiding places and roots.
It also likes a subdued atmosphere. For this, we can favor a dark substrate and the presence of floating plants, which will be much appreciated.
The water can also be lightly colored with dried leaves of oak or beech, or with alder fruits. Finally, build a large free-swimming area.
Good To know
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Very robust, beginner aquarists will be able to maintain this fish without particular difficulties.
Its discreet coloring will make a nice contrast with more colorful fish.
You can find an albino variant of this species:
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