Species › Tetras

Black skirt tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black skirt tetras grow to 7.5 cm (3 in). They live in groups: keep at least 12. They can nip fins, mostly when their group is too small. They need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F) and pH 6.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

68 L (18 US gal), at least 75 cm (30 in) long

Adult size

7.5 cm (3 in)

Temperature

20–26 °C (68–79 °F)

pH

pH 6.0–7.0

Group

12 or more

Black skirt tetra minimum tank size

Black skirt tetras need at least 68 L (18 US gal), in a tank at least 75 cm (30 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 7.5 cm (3 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (30 cm (12 in)).

Black skirt tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against black skirt tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (29)

• Black neon tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cherry barb
• Chili rasbora
• Clown loach
• Dwarf gourami
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Paradise fish
• Pearl gourami
• Peppered corydoras
• Pygmy corydoras
• Red tail shark
• Rosy barb
• Serpae tetra
• Siamese algae eater
• Tiger barb
• White cloud mountain minnow
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (17)

• AngelfishThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. Black skirt tetras nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins.
• BettaThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. Black skirt tetras nip fins, and bettas have long, trailing fins. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as black skirt tetras, many do not.
• Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by black skirt tetras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger black skirt tetras (7.5 cm).
• Cherry shrimpBlack skirt tetras (7.5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by black skirt tetras and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Common plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Congo tetraBlack skirt tetras nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger black skirt tetras (7.5 cm).
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. Endler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger black skirt tetras (7.5 cm).
• GoldfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin. Black skirt tetras nip fins, and guppies have long, trailing fins.
• Nerite snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by black skirt tetras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (6)

• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); black skirt tetras need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so black skirt tetras would be harassed. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); black skirt tetras need 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by black skirt tetras and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; black skirt tetras need pH 6.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; black skirt tetras need pH 6.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; black skirt tetras grow to 7.5 cm.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank