Black Skirt Tetra Care: A Hardy Beginner Tetra! 

If you want to see more of The Wonders of Wildlife check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RG82T26Z-OY.html Want to learn more about potential tank mates? Check out these species profiles: Bristlenose Pleco: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RRt_tjOKY84.html Guppy Fish: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0Lm7p21FJ7I.html Molly Care: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SjnIyxB-mJ8.html Black Neon Tetra: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-USPeZ0Pk_L0.html Green Neon Tetra: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jHvqzidgbgg.html Neon Tetra: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-inKAXsRyIWc.html Cardinal Tetra: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-w53iGJEpkJg.html Von Rio Tetra: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vKFZAkA4J20.html Cherry Barb: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HHGP_bt92ik.html Honey Gourami: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PaXShZENWGY.html Molly Care: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SjnIyxB-mJ8.html Clown Loach: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5SwK9fg-dJM.html Discus Care: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SR_09RUYq_o.html Electric Blue Acara: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FvT_E4toJQ0.html Severum: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xnUJKMhr_nU.html Bolivian Rams: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JeERiU0w9IQ.html Geophagus altifrons: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m4VcfJd2Y9Y.html Geophagus Tapajos: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mZmCQc_oY9Y.html Jewel Cichlids: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mZmCQc_oY9Y.html Apistogramma: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--nsOwfveCQ0.html Panda Cory Cat: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gOJVvW2X96U.html Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics Join this channel to get access to perks: ru-vid.com/show-UCYVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin

Some guys were emptying their fishroom and selling everything. It was an entire room with 2 150 gallon tanks, 2 150 gallon ponds, a bunch of 40 gallon tanks, and 20 gallon tanks. Everything was unplugged and there was supposed to be no fish left. I found a black skirt tetra still alive in an inch of water. Those guys are hardy. It was rehomed to a 55 gallon with a nice school of black skirts after a quarantine.

I have 8, the first fishes I bought getting back into the hobby. I originally bought 5, one died and I was left with 4. A few months later I bought 4 more and it was amazing how IMMEDIATELY they grouped together and started schooling…clearly very happy. I have a dwarf gourami as well and he’s part of their crew, schooling with them and fitting into their hierarchy.

A very underrated fish in the hobby, nice to see them getting some love. Great job on this!

So nice to see the black skirts getting some spotlight. Definitely underrated, the temperament and personalities greatly make up for the lack of colour, but I think they are just beautiful. They're like discus in terms of character, they get to know you and will come up to the front of the tank to interact with you. I am guilty of sitting in front of my tank and talking to them 🤣. They all have their own individual personalities but having a well planted tank is key as they will tend to be very timid without the security of plants. They can also be very sensitive to major changes in the aquarium i.e. changing the hardscape, or relocating to a new set up, they are creatures of habit so be patient and give them time to settle in and get use to you. I just love them! Very fun, hardy and easy to keep, an ideal beginner fish. 🥰👌

I love these guys. They were my first fish back in the early 90s, and survived many calamities caused by my inexperience. However I learned the hard way: no ghost shrimp, no guppies, no bettas. Oh if only we'd had internet and RU-vid back then... edit to add: no baby neons either! oh what a disaster that was

Love that tank setup.😍😍😍😍 Thank you Sir for sharing.

This is a great video Jason, thanks, I am thinking of adding something different to my community tank 👍

Black skirts are an AWESOME fish! Thanks for making this video!

I didn't realise they could get so big! Kinda pleased I didn't opt for them when I was a beginner now. 😁

Fantastic clip for Black widow tetra fish😊😊😊really appreciated for great video with information and care😍😍😍😍

Wow they are gorgeous. Would make an excellent addition to my community tank. I'll give them some thought, thank you Jason

Wow, perfect timing! I just got a couple Thursday to go in my community tank when they're out of the pre-community tank. I have Cory's, neon tetras, glo light tetras, gold skirt tetras, pearl danios, otocinclus, and one lil old halfbeak...So I'm glad they'll fit right in. Thank you for the video, I don't hear much about them or the serpae tetras.

Great video again!!! Thanks🇨🇦

One of my favorite fish.

I totally agree with 29 gallon as the minimum - they are doing quite well in my 37 gallon tank.

My favorite tank is my skirted tetra tank. Love the black skirts with glo skirts. They get along great and the color contrast is beautiful.

I impulsively bought 3 of them few months ago not knowing anything about Black skirt tetras that 2 of them died later on and now only 1 left and it grew bigger than before. It was left alone in a 5g tank and it seems to be so evasive, spooked and immobile be but when I moved it to my betta community tank it seems so happy moving around with the female bettas, danios and rosy barbs unlike before where it used to be alone and easily spooked.

love the vid keep up the good work

Glad you showed these fish...very underrated fish! I have some in a 55 with SA cichlids and they're great. Biggest are probably close to that 3 inches.

Thank you for this video, Jason. Tetras are quickly becoming my favorite fish. Love the chilids but I’m a huge fan of the planted tank, so I prefer to have fish that won’t destroy them lol

Amazing tank! Im getting some black skirts tomorrow to go in my 40 breeder. I've realized that some of the "common" tetras are very beautiful & shouldn't be overlooked. I believe these guys will be a dynamic addition to my tank.

Excellent info 😊

Beautiful little fish, nice personality, I have just one in a community tank with cichlids and a few other tetras, I enjoy the single fish rather than a whole bunch, they do well alone, and try to be the boss of the tank, when other fish may hide they stay brave in the middle of the tank, when there is too much light their black skirt becomes translucent, then change back to black when everything is cool, awesome

I was excited to see this profile. I have always liked the black skirt tetra. Maybe it’s just me but they sort of remind me of a small version angel fish. You might have to close one eye. 😉 That tank is absolutely gorgeous!!

What a pretty fish! I saw them in my local big box store and they looked like a chunky tetra, not necessarily the best choice for my 20L, so I went with ember tetras which are also very lovely!

Very cool fish I have couple of the black skirt tetras :)

My black skirts are the tetra peacekeepers in my tank. My serpaes all hated each other for some reason but have become more docile since introducing several skirts.

they are awesome fish. i particularly like white skirt tetras

You are so right about 29 gallon minimum these fish love to swim around the tank one by one if you have some current going look great as a contrast to other schooling fish one of my favorite all time fish.

Awesome video

Thanks for the video! I have a different experience with my black tetras. In my 55g, community tank, they ate my neons and created chaos among the other fish. I didn't really even realize the chaos factor until i moved them to their own tank and my community tank had a whole different 'calm vibe'. They've been separate for about a year and I would like to try to reintroduce them to a larger tank again. Hoping all goes smoothly.

Love my back skirt tetras! I find them to be really sweet and silly, like most of the tetras I've ever owned. I had mine in with my angel, who was about the size of my hand, and they never nipped at him. Bandit was very territorial and wasn't long putting them in their place whenever they swam too close. Sometimes I think they liked provoking him. Too funny to watch. When Bandit passed away last month I could tell they missed him as they would keep swimming around and around in his area just waiting for him to chase them. Highly recommend them!

These are the same species what was used to create the GloFish tetras in their different colors. Although I'm not a huge fan of them, I spotted some orange GloFish at one of my LFS that had somehow retained the black markings on their body. They basically look like regular Black Skirts, just with a golden-orange undertone. Luckily I was looking for some new feature fish so I snagged them up! They really brightened up my tank and I ended up picking up some Lambchop rasbora that contrast with them beautifully!

Finally! I have my skirt tetras with my peacock cichlids, they seem to help with the aggression so far. Hopefully they'll last for a while, but I'm ready to move them incase it's out of hand

Excellent species profile, but I did keep getting distracted by the amazing 3000 gallon tank.

Sweet! Love those little guys!

nice tank

Love to see this with congo tetras.

One of my favorite fish`s behavior

my favorite common fish

I wish if seen this before buying them😢. Fish retailers should fading better job of educating. I bought three black skirts for a ten gallon where i had four neon tetras and two serpea tetras. So far they’re ok I hope they remain ok. Don’t have the space for a larger tank. But I do enjoy watching them

I find these a good alternative to silver dollars. Similar shape but their size is more manageable. I have a group in a 5 foot tank and they school loosely, but do add good movement to the tank. Agree to them getting around 3” long, but that’s a lot better than 6-10” with the silver dollars. Thanks for the spotlight on a very over looked fish.

Black skirt tetra is my favorite fish

Thank you. I don't think there are nearly enough videos on "beginner" fish. Too often seeing info on fish that people should not start with.

Very great with betta mates like mind...there all very peacefull mind i dnt know others say should not share with betta tank ...i have 2 gallon tank for betta i dicided to have tank mates to him happy ...so i choice blackskirt first becouse there very peacefull fish and very slow moving i so happy until now there all still living together✌️

I had a group in a tank with some guppies and zebra danios... big mistake, but I digress. I had some illness or water problems in the tank that killed all but one black skirt. I decided to let all the fish die out and try something new, but that sucker lived in that 60 gallon for a LONG time before dying. I've learned a lot since then and feel bad for my past mistakes, but I will likely forever consider these as some the hardiest fish.

I have a group of 9 on my 55gallon with an angelfish. At first they did do some exploratory nips in the first couple of days, but I found that the nipping went away pretty much completely when they have full bellies. And after a nice feeding they do shoal quite nicely. Skip a feeding and they get a bit hangry. The angelfish also has grown more confident and tends to chase the tetras off if they seem to be following his tail too closely, but otherwise there’s barely any conflict between them.

cool

Good Morning.

That looks "Amazing"...... Have a couple of them they are really hardy fish .......

I have 2 long finned ones that I've had for almost 5 years (it will be 5 years this July). They are very hearty, but I don't think I'd ever get them again. They like to nip long fins and they breed them to have long fins. It's a cruel fate. I might go for the regular finned ones in the future.

So much personality for a tetra 🤓🐠

Probably my favorite fish of all time. I’ve lost all of my other fish besides these ones.

I have three of them in my 20 gallon hexagon tank right now along with two 2 plays two Dalmatian mollies there was three of each of them first, but I lost one Molly and 2 platys because I had four plates before but right now in my tank I have three black skirt Tetris 4 for black neon Tetris two platys already mentioned, and then the two Dalmatian mollies along with my clown pleco I’m probably not gonna add any more and if I do just may be a couple or two am I overstocked yet or am I just perfectly stocked? I think you’re the best person to ask for advice.

Black tetras are elite, mine survived an entire summer with the heater on and also a heatstroke with the water up to 32 C° and they laid eggs just yesterday

I’ve got 6 black skirt tetras in a 125 with Severums, Angelfish, Uaru, electric blue Acara and super red pleco’s. And they are thriving. One small behavior I noticed…. They will NOT under any circumstance go to the bottom of the tank to feed. When I feed repashy…. The black skirt tetras will take a bite as it is sinking to the bottom. But once it’s reached the bottom.. they completely ignore it.

i was thinking of stocking options with some black skirt tetra with some of the glofish tetras, ive read online they get along and school together but i dont know if its a stupid idea. my whole idea is having neon tetra, zebra danios, black skirt tetras, glofish tetras and glofish danios. everything says they get along and school together since the zebra danios and glofish danios are the same species. but i have lots to learn and read up on still. i want a 40 gal + set up for this tho. i dont want to overstock or crowd the aquarium.

Great fish. It sucks they are one of the Glo Fish varieties and all the Glo Fish tanks are so darn small. Great fish all around an oldy but goody

These guys are great because they are a tetra that doesn't require soft water and are super hardy. There is a reason these are one of the fish used as a GloFish. I would also suggest some Keyhole Ciclids as another choice for potential tankmates, as they are super peaceful, and pretty much have the same parameters as the Black Skirts. I would think some of the hardier medium Tetras would work too like Lemon or Candy Cane Tetras. These guys would also look great with the Black Skirts cause of the color difference, and like the Black Skirts, are pretty tough in regards to parameters.

I have 8 of them in a 120 gallon tank with some rainbows a pair of angels and a blue gourami, they are about 2 inches and fat the crazy thing is I never see them eat when I put food in the tank even thought they are bigger than when I bought them...

I have a 10 gallon and I know that’s really small for them but would group of 4-5 be ok ? I have a nice log hide and live plants

If I had a tank like that I'd never leave home lol

Very important and very helpful knowledge thank you

I always thought they look like small crappie! Especially the longfin white skirt I have.

ooh yeah, I learned within a day to get them out of my betta's tank. Had a small school of these guys foisted upon me, and the betta was all alone in a 10 gallon. They bullied the poor guy into his hide, and wouldn't leave his tail alone. They're now in my big endler tank, fingers crossed they put some predation pressure on the fry factory.

They also show a lot of that iridescent blue/silver color in my tank

I've got my "skirt" in a 29gal with a yoyo loach, gold ram, blue ram, bolivian ram, 3 shrimp, and a female and fancy male guppy. That's a group!!!!

Please do breeding video on them🤗🤗😕

❤

Some of my oldest fish are black skirts.

The long fin black skirt tetra is one of my favs. They are like the angsty goth teenagers of the tetra community.

Iv purchased some glofish but left them at pet store while I got tank ready, my total water hardness does not even register on test strip. My alkalinity is 40 ppm and pH is 6.2 ppm. I see people suggest don't chase pH and all that but I feel my ranges are too low all around. But scared attempting to raise as I see people say it's ok to use pool products as long as no other added ingredients besides calcium but also about coral crushed but I thought no coral should go to freshwater tank??? Any advice is greatly needed and appreciated!!

I just bought 6 high fin Tetras for my 45 gallon

My shrimp wouldn’t stop having babies in the tank with the skirts. After all the shrimp passed on I found they were eating all the fish eggs and ended up with 2 little skirts.

Wow had no idea that they got that big

what do you think about the black skirt tetras with two polar blue tiger parrot fish? or is there any other schooling fish I can put in besides the Tetras?

I've noticed that fish from the Paraguay and Parana Rivers (Black Skirts, Black Neons, Red-eye Tetras, Bloodfin Tetras, Peppered Corys, etc.) tend to be hardy and tolerant of a wide range of water parameters.

I have 10 black skirts in a 29 gallon. They were TINY when I bought them. I was a bit worried at first. It seems that there is a pecking order with mine. It's interesting because there is only one that is very dark and it's the biggest. I've had female Betta fish with them and no problems. I've also kept ghost shrimp with them and no problems. They basically keep to themselves. I noticed that they are constantly nipping at one another. I would love to get more, but I'm at my limit for a 29 gallon. I was able to get video of them all swimming in unison around a decoration that I had on the back glass. I uploaded the video to my channel. If anyone can tell me why or what they're doing in the video, I would appreciate it.

Would these fish do okay with glofish?

I have 66 gallon planted with 9 kuhlis an bristlenose and 30 neon tetras would 8/10 of these grow out to be a suitable centre piece fish? Am a bit worried that it would be overstocked?

I'm anti-plastic plants :) thinking of playing with CO2 for plants

Is there a way to naturally cure fungus/fin loss on the black skirt tetra? Also to prevent fungus to spread to the other fish? if you don't have an tank (hospital tank)

I paired my long fined black skirt tetras with Molly's but people say that's werid 😅

I have a Mutant Sized Black Skirt Tetra over 3.5 inches, Girthy and healthy

Is a wave maker ok for black skirt tetras

I have three of these. My question is, why don't their skirts stay black during the day? At night and early in the morning before I turn on the aquarium light, their skirts are a beautiful black. As soon as the light goes on, the skirts go pale. They are very active, and are eating quite well. The only other things I have in the tank are neon tetras, albino corys and a mystery snail. All water tests are within good parameters.

I have a 10 gallon tank with 2 black skirts and 1 white skirt. Should I add more fish or no

if we have a 55 gallon and have it well planted and have hiding spaces, could we keep these with female betas or smaller finned male betas?

i added a lighted hood to the tank and i think since it was introduced my black skirts started fin nipping each other, is this directly from the light? should i leave it off?

Hello. My black skirt tetra create a mess, when eating. Looks like they have difficulties reaching the bottom of the aquarium. Any suggestions ?

Is it ok to keep them with guppies/plecos? I have a clown pleco and a few guppies in my 40 gallon, and I wanted to put them in there if it's ok.

What size do I need for 1 black skirt tetra and 3 neon tetras ?

Got 6 and I’ll never get them again lol I’ve had them for 4 years lol 😂

What about with tiger barbs?

Can I put then with betta fish

Are black skirts and white skirts the same species?

Could i put this tetra's with tiger barbs ?

what is that beautiful orange and white fish name please

How many can i put in a 20 gallon?