Our Guide To Keeping Black Widow Tetra Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
   • Common name: Black Widow Tetra
   • Family: Characidae
   • Origin: Paraguay Basin in South America
   • Adult length: 5 cm
   • Lifespan: 3 to 5 years

2. Tank Setup:

   • Black Widow Tetras are active swimmers and prefer a tank with plenty of horizontal swimming space. A minimum tank size of 75L is recommended for a small school of these fish.
   • Provide ample hiding places with driftwood, rocks, or artificial decorations. They appreciate densely planted areas with floating plants to diffuse light.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Black Widow Tetras are adaptable to a wide range of water conditions. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
   • Maintain the water temperature between 23 to 27°C (73 to 81°F).

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • They can tolerate a moderate water flow, so choose a filter that provides gentle to moderate flow without causing too much disturbance.

5. Diet:

   • Black Widow Tetras are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods. Offer them a balanced diet consisting of high-quality flake or pellet food as a staple.
   • Supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to provide essential nutrients and variety.

6. Tank mates:

   • Black Widow Tetras are peaceful schooling fish and should be kept in groups of at least six individuals to prevent stress and encourage natural behavior.
   • They are compatible with other peaceful community fish such as other tetras, danios, rasboras, and small catfish species.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Black Widow Tetras are social and display schooling behavior, so they should be kept in groups to thrive.
   • They may exhibit fin-nipping behavior towards long-finned tank mates, so avoid keeping them with fish like bettas or angelfish.