Black Skirt Tetra

A hardy, active tetra that does well in groups. Best in a community tank with similarly sized, non-long-finned fish.

tankSize
75L (20 gal) minimum for a school
careLevel
Beginner
temperature
22 to 26C
temperament
Semi-peaceful
diet
Flakes, pellets, and frozen foods
lifespan
3 to 5 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (schooling)
weeklyMaintenance
Water changes and basic cleaning

Best for

  • Beginner community tanks with active fish
  • Owners who want a hardy school
  • Tanks with barbs, danios, and similar fish
  • People who can keep groups of 6 or more

Not ideal for

  • Tanks with slow, long-finned fish
  • Very small nano tanks
  • Uncycled aquariums
  • Owners who want a very calm display

Temperament

  • Active and sometimes nippy if kept in small numbers
  • More peaceful in larger groups
  • Does best with robust tank mates

Daily routine

feeding: Feed once or twice daily; keep portions small.
check: Watch for fin-nipping and adjust stocking if needed.
enrichment: Provide open swimming space and some plant cover.

Living fit

smallHome: Works if you can provide a mid-sized tank.
kids: Good for observation and simple feeding routines.
firstTimeOwner: Good beginner fish with the right tank mates.

Health notes

  • Hardy but stress can trigger fin issues.
  • Group size reduces aggression.
  • Maintain clean water to prevent common infections.

Cost and time

time: Low daily time; simple weekly maintenance.
cost: Affordable fish; standard community setup cost.

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