Black Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)
| Black Skirt Tetra Gymnocorymbus ternetzi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Black Skirt Tetra |
| Name Lat. | Gymnocorymbus ternetzi |
| Synonym | Tetragonopterus ternetzi |
| Family | Characins |
| Family lat. | Characidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | South America |
| Habitat | Streams, rivers |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5.5 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Hardness | 5-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.5" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Hardness | 89-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 20 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Mourning Tetra is the Rio Paraguay and the Guaporé Basin in Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. There they live in slow flowing streams and rivers with overhanging, dense and therefore shady riparian vegetation.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have partly dense and varied planting, providing both shelter and swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), subdued light (floating plant cover) and soft, slightly acidic water with a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium or nitrite should be detectable in the water, and the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, moina, mosquito larvae, artemia, etc. (live or frozen). In addition, they occasionally need some vegetable food, such as algae leaves, algae wafers or dry food with vegetable ingredients (e.g. spirulina)
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day, which are eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
These lively but peaceful schooling fish are well suited for any community tank. They should be kept in a group of at least 5, but preferably much more. In too small groups, they tend to 'fin-twitch'.
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements to the water condition and water temperature may be socialized
Sex dimorphism
Males have somewhat more slender and pointed dorsal fins and much broader anal fins than females. The anal fin line is more parallel to the ventral line in the slightly larger females
Reproduction and breeding
In soft, slightly acidic peat water they spawn mostly between fine-feathered plants up to 300 eggs, which remain attached to the leaves or the discs. The larvae hatch after about 24 hours and swim free after 4-5 days. The parents do not perform brood care and should be separated from the fry after spawning, as they are spawn predators.
Juveniles must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii, dust food). Breeding is hardly possible in a community tank, as the spawn is easy prey.
Important
Feeding plant foods reduces the risk of fish eating the tender shoots of aquatic plants.
The foliage (sea almond tree, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances and naturally lowers the pH
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Sabina Lamboj; Image: petdata
Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF