{"product_id":"black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater","title":"Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) | Live Freshwater Community Fish","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal Pickup Only\u003c\/strong\u003e — Black Skirt Tetras are available for in-store pickup at our Lawrenceville showroom (1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA). Live fish are not shipped from Squeaky's Aquatics — please plan to pick up in person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Skirt Tetra (\u003cem\u003eGymnocorymbus ternetzi\u003c\/em\u003e) — also known as the Black Widow Tetra — is a hardy, peaceful schooling fish with dramatic silvery-black bodies and flowing fins that fan out like a skirt. A staple beginner-friendly community fish, this South American native is one of the easiest tetras to keep, making it a great pick for new aquarists or anyone building a planted community tank. Browse more \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003ecommunity fish\u003c\/a\u003e on our site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginner — extremely hardy and forgiving\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons or larger (school of 6 or more)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSchooling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep in groups of 6+ — solo or small groups can become nippy and stressed\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore — high-quality flake, micro pellets, and frozen\/live foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Densely planted tank with open swimming space; soft substrate and driftwood replicate their natural habitat\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; subdued lighting brings out their best color\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 years with proper care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eBlack Skirt Tetra, Black Widow Tetra, Black Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eGymnocorymbus ternetzi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eSouth America (Paraguay River basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e2 – 2.5 inches (5 – 6 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003ePeaceful (when kept in proper schools)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e70 – 79 °F (21 – 26 °C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e6.0 – 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e5 – 19 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 8px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Skirt Tetras are peaceful when kept in groups of six or more, but lone or small-group tetras can become fin-nippers — keep them in proper schools to bring out their best behavior. They thrive in community tanks with similarly sized, calm tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mixed-cory-catfish\"\u003eCory Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumble-bee-platy-xiphophorus-maculatus-freshwater\"\u003eplaties\u003c\/a\u003e, swordtails, peaceful rasboras, and small plecos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long-finned bettas, fancy guppies, and angelfish — Black Skirts may nip flowing fins. Skip aggressive cichlids and any fish small enough to be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein staple flake\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-water-conditioner-250ml\"\u003eSeachem Prime Water Conditioner\u003c\/a\u003e — essential for tap-water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all fish foods\u003c\/a\u003e for variety feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eAll freshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many Black Skirt Tetras should I buy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt minimum, six. They are a true schooling species — fewer than six and they often become stressed and start nipping. A group of 8–10 looks fantastic in a 20+ gallon tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they nip my other fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProperly schooled Black Skirts are peaceful, but they can nip slow, long-finned tankmates like fancy guppies and bettas. Skip those and stick with similar-sized, active community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre Black Skirt Tetras good for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — they are one of the most beginner-friendly tetras. Hardy across a wide range of water conditions, easy to feed, and tolerant of typical tap-water swings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I pick these up the same day?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, this listing reflects live in-store stock. We recommend calling or messaging ahead for large groups so we can bag and acclimate them properly for the trip home.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48738865578203,"sku":"FW1-F1137","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/blackskirt.png?v=1777802873","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}