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Freshwater   Fishes

Black tetra
(Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)

Black tetra

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

what are its countries of origin?

Origin: Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
Biotope: Amazonian

Dimorphism

what are the physical differences between males and females?

The smaller male with more contrasting colour

Group

Group

Characidae

Volume

what is the minimum volume for this species?

120 L / 26 imp gal / 32 US gal

Parameters

what are the water parameters for the maintenance of this fish?

T°: 24 to 28°C or 75 to 82°F
pH: 6 to 7
Hardness: 1 to 8°dGH

Difficulty

Difficulty

Easy

Size

what is the maximum size of this fish?

5 to 6 cm (2 to 2.4")

Longevity

what is the average Longevity of this fish?

4 to 5 years

Living zone

in which area of the aquarium does this fish live?

Middle and depth

Individuals

sociability of the species

10

Food

How to feed the Black tetra?

Food

How to feed the Black tetra?

Omnivorous: all forms of food are accepted.

Behavior

What kind of behavior does the Black tetra have?

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

Who can live with the Black tetra?

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

How to breed the Black tetra?

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

Which aquarium for the Black tetra?

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

Find all additional information!

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.
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

You can find an albino variant of this species:
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi albinos

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