Black Skirt Tetra

The black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) is a freshwater characin of the family Characidae, native to the Paraguay and Guaporé river basins of central South America. It has a tall, laterally compressed silvery-grey body that darkens toward the rear, with two vertical black bars behind the head and a large, flowing dark anal fin resembling a skirt. Older fish tend to fade to a paler grey. It is a hardy shoaling fish that should be kept in groups of six or more. Generally peaceful, it can nip the fins of slow-moving or long-finned tankmates when kept in too small a group. A planted aquarium with open swimming space and neutral, moderately soft water suits it. It is an undemanding omnivore that accepts flakes, pellets, and live or frozen foods, making it very beginner-friendly. It is an egg-scatterer that can be bred in a separate tank with fine-leaved plants.