Clown Loach - 2 For
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The Black Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), also known as the Black Skirt Tetra, is a distinctive South American schooling fish with a deep, laterally compressed body and dark vertical markings.
Young Black Widows are particularly striking, displaying stronger black colouration which gradually becomes more subdued as the fish mature. Adults develop an attractive silvery-grey appearance, with their deep body shape and flowing dark anal fin giving them a very different look from slimmer-bodied tetras.
Hardy, active and generally straightforward to keep, they’re a good choice for community aquariums — provided they’re kept in a suitable group rather than as one or two isolated fish.
Black Widow Tetras are active swimmers and appreciate an aquarium that combines open swimming space with areas of planting and cover.
Tall or dense plants around the sides and rear work particularly well, leaving the central area relatively open. Floating plants can also help soften bright aquarium lighting and create a more natural environment.
They’re adaptable fish and captive-bred specimens generally cope well with typical aquarium conditions, making them suitable for newer fishkeepers as well as established community tanks.
This is one of the most important things to get right with the species.
Black Widow Tetras are social schooling fish and shouldn’t be kept singly. Although small groups are possible, we’d favour a more substantial shoal where aquarium size allows.
Keeping around 8–12 or more creates a much more natural display and allows their chasing and social interaction to be directed primarily towards one another.
This is particularly relevant because Black Widows have a reputation for occasionally nipping fins. Keeping them in a good-sized group can significantly reduce this behaviour towards other aquarium inhabitants; Seriously Fish specifically recommends at least 12 where possible.
Black Widows are generally peaceful community fish, but they’re lively rather than timid.
They can work well alongside many similarly sized tetras, rasboras, danios, livebearers and peaceful bottom dwellers such as Corydoras.
Their tendency towards occasional fin-nipping means we’d be a little more cautious with very slow-moving or particularly elaborate long-finned fish, especially if the Black Widows are kept in insufficient numbers.
As always, aquarium size matters too. A cramped group has fewer opportunities to swim, establish space and behave naturally.
Black Widow Tetras are omnivorous and very easy to feed.
A quality tropical flake or appropriately sized granule makes a good everyday staple, supplemented with small frozen or live foods such as Daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.
In the wild, the species feeds on small invertebrates including worms, crustaceans and insects, so providing some variety alongside prepared aquarium foods is worthwhile.
It’s normal.
Juvenile Black Widow Tetras tend to display their strongest black colouration. As they mature, the intense black gradually fades and adults become more silvery-grey, while retaining their characteristic dark markings and fins.
It isn’t therefore necessarily a sign that something is wrong with the fish.
Good water quality, a varied diet and suitable surroundings will naturally help your fish look their best, but a mature Black Widow shouldn’t be expected to remain as intensely black as a juvenile.
Please note that the image is for illustration purposes and the fish you will receive may not be identical. These fish are still juveniles and have yet to colour up. A healthy environment and good quality food will help bring them into full colour. If you have any questions about keeping these fish, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff.
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