Easy to take care of and hard to take care of, The black widow Tetra (or the black skirt tetra) is an edgy fish that, unlike its name, is available in many shades. While the wild black-widow tetra has a dark colour, Consider the variety of colours which have been captive-bred. A minimum of six or seven specimens make an active, healthy school of fish, however, do not place them in a smaller species (particularly ones with flowing, long fins) because black widows sometimes nibble. This lively, fast-moving species is a good choice for those just beginning their aquarium.
Origin and Distribution
The Black Skirt tetra can be easily identified by its distinctive black anal and dorsal fins. The body is adorned with black stripes. The Black Skirt tetra is believed to reach its adult size at about one year old. It is also at the point that Black Skirt tetra will display its brightest hue. As the fish gets older as it ages, they will lose their colour. The Black Skirt tetra will become duller, and the colour will change to a silvery grey hue.
The anal fin of the female Black Skirt tetra is narrower than the male’s anal fin. The front edge is parallel to the vertical line of her abdomen. The dorsal fin is less sharp in females. For male Black Skirt tetras, the front edge of the anal fin is slanted to the rear towards the tail. It is also possible to distinguish the genders by studying their body form; the female tends to be larger than the male. The male Black Skirt tetras sometimes display white dots on the caudal fin.
It is possible to buy the captive-bred finned long Black Skirt tetra variant and various colour variations. These genetic variations in colour cannot be confused with artificially coloured skirt Tetras.
Male vs Female Black Skirt Tetra Fish Identification
The Black Skirt Tetra is easily identified through its distinctive black anal and dorsal fins. The body is covered in horizontal black lines. The moment it is the time that Black Skirt tetra reaches adulthood in the year 2000, it will be one year old. It is also where it is when the Black Skirt tetra exhibits its brightest colours. As the fish age, its colouration fades into a grey-silver shade.
Female Black Skirt tetras have a narrower and more streamlined anal fin than males. The front edge runs parallel to the abdomen’s second vertical line. Females also have a smaller dorsal fins. The anterior border of anal fins for male Black Skirt tetras slants back towards the tail. In addition, the two genders are identified by their body shape, and the female can be larger than the male. The male Black Skirt tetras will occasionally be white with white specks on their caudal fins.
Black Widow Tetra profile
The Tetra can be a truly fantastic sight in an aquarium community. It is active and quick-paced. It’s usually a fin nipper. It isn’t recommended to be kept with smaller fishes. However, it will thrive in a tank that is shared with larger fish.
A fish that is schooling A schooling fish, the Black Tetra, will admire the organization of its appearance. The typical size of a school for the aquarium is seven individuals, which is a lot, and they’ll be able to cope with that amount and more of their personnel.
They prefer a well-lit aquarium filled with clumped low vegetation that leaves some open areas for swimming in. They are challenging at 70deg F to 90deg F. However, they are prone to develop ich in warmer temperatures.
Black skirt tetra tank requirements
The black skirt tetras do not have many requirements for aquariums. So long as they’re kept in a tank of the right size, and the water parameters are kept in check, there should be no issues keeping a group of aquarium fish.
Tetras with skirts of black should remain in groups that are no less than six and will require a minimum capacity of 20 gallons (75 L). They need a steady temperature of 72-82 degrees F (22-27deg Celsius), a pH range of 6.0-7.5 and KH between 4-8.
To ensure that your fish feel more comfortable in your aquarium, the best option is to select dark substrates and dim lighting. Since fish aren’t likely to venture into the bottom of the tank frequently, the choice of substrate isn’t to make too much difference. Either gravel or sand is fine! Plants that require less light and floating plants can give shelter to the fish and provide dim lighting; however, they ensure plenty of space to swim in.
Black Skirt Tetra Diet & Feeding
The Black Widow Tetras are omnivores, meaning feeding Black Skirt Tetras isn’t that difficult. In reality, they consume anything that gets in their path, which includes insects and plants. They also enjoy bloodworms, brine shrimps, and even bloodworms.
In captivity, you can provide your Black Skirt Tetras with commercial dry food such as pellets or flakes. Check the ingredients to ensure they’re not stuffed with fillers such as soy and rice.
Try to stay clear of eating fish as much as you possibly can. A meal made from fish is an amalgamation of unpleasant things, such as the eyes of a fish and the skin. It’s not a nutritional benefit for your catch. Additionally, it’ll increase the amount of waste.