White Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)

The White Skirt Tetra is a genetic morph of the Black Skirt Tetra. As far as care requirements go, 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.

White Skirt Tetras are very active swimmers. Therefore, they will need an aquarium that is at least 70 litres or more, and they like soft, peat-filtered water. Although dim lighting and a darker gravel substrate will bring out this Tetra's best colouring, these fish prefer a well-lit tank and appreciate aquatic plant cover. They like areas of bunched low vegetation but also need open spaces to 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.

White Skirt Tetra bodies are solid white with transparent fins, giving them a ghostly appearance. Their only bits of colour are their dark, black eyes. Their name 'skirt' Tetra comes from their overly developed anal fin, which runs along the underside of the rear half of their body.

The White Skirt Tetra is naturally coloured and not dyed. However, there are strains with a natural pink or blue colouration called the coloured Skirt Tera. In addition, a Longfinned White Tetra or HiFin White Tetra variety 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

It is pretty simple to differentiate between the male and female White Skirt Tetra. The females are generally more significant than the males, and their bodies are more rounded. In contrast, the male's are slimmer, and their dorsal fin is more pointed and narrower than the females. Also, the male's front portion of the anal fin is noticeably wider, while the female's "skirt" tends to run parallel to their stomach line.