Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

    Size of fish - inches: 2.2 inches (5.51 cm)

    Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L)

    Temperament: Semi-aggressive

    Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy

    Temperature: 70.0 to 79.0° F (21.1 to 26.1° C)

Approximate size sold: 1inch +

Classification:

    Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
    Class: Actinopterygii
    Order: Characiformes
    Family: Characidae
    Genus: Gymnocorymbus
    Species: ternetzi


The Colored Skirt Tetra is deep-bodied and laterally compressed. This fish will reach about 2 1/4 inches (5.5 cm) in he home aquarium but will breed at just 1 1/2 inches. It has a lifespan of about 6 to 7 years. The Colored Skirt Tetra is distinguished by its two vertical stripes and by what appear to be overly-developed dorsal and anal fins, which make this fish appear to have a "skirt." Most of this tetra's mass is on the bottom half of its body. It is very light, almost transparent, with a natural pink or blue coloration, and it lacks the black stripes of its parentage.

The Colored Skirt Tetra is a naturally colored White Skirt Tetra and not dyed. Artificially dyed specimens are sold as Solid Colored Tetra or under various names like the Blueberry Tetra, Strawberry Tetra, or Rainbow Tetra.

About Artificially Colored Fish:

Many albino and transparent type fishes make an ideal 'canvas' for applying color. For quite sometime, artificially dyed specimens were regarded as intriguing and eye-catching additions to the home aquarium. Today, however, as aquarists have learned more about the processes involved, they have raised some serious concerns about the practice. In particular, these concerns involve the initial stress and possible pain to the fish, followed by a possibly higher susceptibility to infection.

    Size of fish - inches: 2.2 inches (5.51 cm) - These fish get up to 2 1/4 inches (5.5 cm) but will breed at 1.5 inches.

    Lifespan: 7 years - They have a lifespan of about 6 to 7 years.

Foods and Feeding

The Colored Skirt Tetras are omnivorous, though in the wild, their Black Tetra predecessors primarily feed on worms and small crustaceans. In the aquarium the Colored Skirt Tetra will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance, give them a high quality flake food every day. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.

•     Diet Type: Omnivore
•     Flake Food: Yes
•     Tablet / Pellet: Yes
•     Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
•     Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
•     Meaty Food: Some of Diet
•     Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
  
  

Aquarium Setup

The Colored Skirt Tetra needs an aquarium that is at least 15 gallons or larger. They are very active and need open areas to swim freely, so they should be kept in a tank at least 20 inches long. Additionally, the tank should be securely covered as these fish are skilled jumpers and will probably do so if given the opportunity.

The Colored Skirt Tetra is very unfussy when it comes to tank décor though they prefer some plant cover and a darker gravel. Adding some floating plants will add shade and give this fish quiet areas to hide. To get the best out of the Colored Skirt Tetra, set up a biotype tank. For the substrate, use a river sand with some drift wood and twisted roots. Add some dried leaves to the sand, which will stain the water a light brown, and replace the leaves every few weeks. Using dim to help develop the tetra's best coloring. 

    Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L) - Fifteen gallons is the least amount of space advisable to host a small school.

    Suitable for Nano Tank: Yes

    Substrate Type: Any

    Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting

    Temperature: 70.0 to 79.0° F (21.1 to 26.1° C)

    Breeding Temperature: 82.0° F - These fish will spawn at 82 to 86° F (27.8 to 30° C).

    Range ph: 5.8-8.5

    Hardness Range: 3 - 30 dGH

    Brackish: No

    Water Movement: Moderate

    Water Region: All - These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors

The Colored Skirt Tetra is active and can be a semi-aggressive fin nipper. Fin nipping can be reduced by keeping them in schools of at least 8 or more. In large groups, this fish will focus its attention on others of its own kind. The Colored Skirt Tetra should be kept in a community aquarium with fish of its same size or larger. With age, they become more sedentary. These tetras do well with most livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, peaceful bottom dwellers, and some dwarf cichlids.

    Venomous: No

    Temperament: Semi-aggressive - These fish can be occasional fin nippers but are not considered aggressive.

    Compatible with:

        Same species - conspecifics: Yes - This fish should be kept in a small school of its own kind, with 8 or more individuals being best.

        Peaceful fish (): Monitor - Watch for stress in other fish caused by Colored Skirt Tetra fin nipping.

        Semi-Aggressive (): Threat

        Aggressive (): Threat

        Large Semi-Aggressive (): Threat

        Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Threat

        Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Monitor - Tetras can out compete them for food.

        Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive

        Plants: Safe