White Hifin Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)

The White Hifin Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) is a graceful, long-finned white form of the classic skirt tetra, with a pearly silver-white body and flowing dorsal and anal fins that trail as it swims. It is a peaceful, active schooling fish and one of the hardiest tetras you can keep, which makes it perfect for beginners and busy community tanks alike. Browse our other live freshwater fish to build out the school.

Keep them in a group. Skirt tetras are schooling fish and feel safest in numbers. Plan on a group of six or more, which also keeps them calm and brings out their best behavior and color.

Care Guide

White Hifin Tetras are undemanding and adapt to a wide range of conditions, as long as the water is clean and stable. They appreciate a planted tank with open swimming space in the middle, where the whole school can cruise together.

• Minimum tank size: 20 gallons for a small school.
• Temperature: 72 to 80°F.
• Water: pH 6.0 to 7.5, soft to moderately hard.
• Diet: Omnivore. They readily take quality flake and micro-pellets, with frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp as treats.
• Aquascape: Plants around the edges plus open water in the center, with a gentle current they can play in.

Specifications

Compatibility

White Hifin Tetras are easygoing community fish that mix well with other peaceful, similarly sized species such as other tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, and peaceful barbs. Kept in a proper school of six or more they are calm, but in too-small a group they can get nippy, so keep the numbers up and avoid pairing them with very slow, long-finned tankmates like bettas or fancy guppies. They pair especially well with the classic Black Skirt Tetra, the same species in its dark form.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Ocean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake or Aquarium Co-Op Magic Small Fish Feed as a staple.
• Hikari Vibra Bites for variety and to bring out activity.
• Seachem Prime to dechlorinate every water change.
• Schooling companions and a planted backdrop from our freshwater plant selection.

FAQ

How many should I keep together?
At least six. Skirt tetras are schooling fish, and a larger group is calmer, more colorful, and far more fun to watch than just one or two.

Is the white color natural?
Yes. The White Hifin is a selectively bred leucistic, long-finned form of the skirt tetra. It is not dyed or painted; the soft white color and long fins are stable, inherited traits.

Are they fin-nippers?
They can be if kept in too small a group or with slow, long-finned fish. In a proper school of six or more with active tankmates, nipping is rarely an issue.

Are they good for beginners?
Absolutely. They are among the hardiest tetras, tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, and very forgiving while you learn the ropes.