White Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)

The White Skirt Tetra is a genetic morph of the Black Skirt Tetra. The White Skirt Tetra is a genetic morph of the Black Skirt Tetra. Regarding care requirements, the White Skirts are virtually identical to the Black Skirt Tetra.

The White Skirt Tetra is commonly available in fish stores and is an excellent fish for the beginner aquarist. These Tetras are very robust, and because these fish are captive bred, they are customary to various water conditions and are very adaptable to reasonable tank conditions. However, they are prone to develop ich if you keep them in colder temperatures. In addition, these Tetras are easy to breed and make a peaceful addition to a freshwater community aquarium.

The White Skirt Tetra is a schooling fish and will appreciate the company of its own kind. It would be best if you typically kept these fish in a group of 6, although more is better. The larger the group, the happier these fish will be, and their displays will be more effective. This very active and fast-moving fish tends to nip fins. Because of this, you should not keep them with smaller fish or fish that have intricate finnage.

Ideal tankmates for these Tetras would be peaceful fish of a similar size as White Skirt Tetras can be easily intimidated by large or overly active fish. Ideal tankmates could include other species of Tetra, Danios, Dwarf Gouramis, Mollies, Zebra Loaches, and Catfish. There are several more potential tank mates; just make sure you research compatibility before purchasing any. Snails and Shrimp can also make great tank mates.

The White Skirt Tetra is a very active swimmer. Thus, they will require an aquarium with a capacity of 70 litres or more, and they prefer soft, peat-filtered water. Although dim lighting and darker gravel substrates will bring out this fish's best colours, they prefer well-lit tanks with aquatic plants. In addition to being attracted to low-lying vegetation, they require open spaces where they can swim freely. In addition, you will need to make sure the aquarium is securely covered as these fish are skilled jumpers.

The best setup for these Tetras would be a biotype setup. First, use a substrate of sand, and provide a few hiding places using some driftwood branches and twisted roots. If you cannot get hold of some driftwood, you could use common beech that is dried and stripped of all its bark. Then, add some dried leaves to stain the water a light brown, giving the aquarium a natural feel. However, make sure you remove and replace the leaves every few weeks.

Having solid white bodies and transparent fins, White Skirt Tetras appear ghostly. Dark, black eyes are the only bits of colour. 'Skirt' Tetras are named due to their overly developed anal fin, which runs along their underside.

This White Skirt Tetra is not dyed, it is naturally coloured. There are, however, strains that have a natural pink or blue colouration called coloured Skirt Tetras. Furthermore, a Long-finned White Tetra or HiFin White Tetra type has also been developed.

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Feeding

In the home aquarium, the White Skirt Tetra will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.

Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.

It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.

This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.

Sexual Dimorphism

White Skirt Tetra males and females are pretty easy to distinguish. Generally, females have bigger bodies and more rounded bodies than males. Males, however, are slimmer, and their dorsal fins are narrower and more pointed. Similarly, the male's anal fin has a wider front portion, while the females runs parallel to the stomach.