Caring for a Black Fin Tetra

Black Fin tetras are known by several nicknames among aquarium hobbyists. Some of these nicknames include Black Skirt tetra, Black Widow tetra and simply black tetra. This species is a variety of freshwater aquarium fish belonging to the family Characidae. Not only are Black Fin tetras a pleasure to watch as they zip around an aquarium, but they are also a hardy species perfect for the beginning aquarium hobbyist. These fish are relatively undemanding in the home aquarium -- but there are a few guidelines you should follow if you want your Black Fin tetras to thrive.

  1. Basic Info

    • Black Fin tetras are native to the slow-moving creeks, streams and tributaries in southern Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. These fish typically grow to a maximum length of 2.5 inches and are easily identified by black coloration on their dorsal and anal fins. The majority of the body of these fish is a metallic gray, ornamented with two black stripes behind the gills. The Black Fin tetra reaches the height of its coloration around one year of age and may take on a duller silver-gray appearance as it ages.

    Tank Requirements

    • While Black Fin tetras are capable of adapting to a variety of tank conditions, they thrive best in a warm tank that is at least 10 gallons in capacity. Because these fish can grow up to 3 inches, however, they are best kept in a tank 20 gallons or larger. The ideal temperature range for a Black Fin tetra tank is between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 26 degrees Celcius), though a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. These fish prefer soft, acidic water having a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 with water hardness between 5 and 20 degrees DH.

    Feeding

    • Black Fin tetras are likely to accept a variety of foods, so they are very easy to feed. Because tetras are midlevel swimmers, it is wise to offer them foods that sink -- try soaking flake food in a cup of tank water for a few minutes before dumping them into the tank. Black Fin tetras are omnivores, which means they consume both plant- and meat-based foods. They require a varied, balanced diet composed of vitamin- and mineral-enhanced flakes and pellets supplemented with live, frozen and freeze-dried foods such as bloodworms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp.

    Tank Mates

    • Black Fin tetras are typically peaceful fish that you can safely keep in a community tank with other mild-tempered species of fish. These fish are most likely to thrive, however, when kept in large schools of their own species. In order to minimize fin nipping and other aggressive behaviors, Black Fin tetras should be kept with at least 6 other tetras. Other compatible tank mates include other tetras, corydoras catfish, livebearers, danios, rasboras, loaches and even dwarf cichlids.

    Breeding

    • Black Fin tetras are relatively easy to breed in the home aquarium, but it is recommended that you set up a separate breeding tank in order to do so. The breeding tank should be bare-bottomed, and equipped with a submersible heater and a sponge filter. Decorate the tank sparsely with clumps of fine-leaved plants and keep the tank dimly lit. The ideal way to breed these tetras is in groups containing at least six of each sex. It is best to condition the fish by feeding them live and frozen foods in order to encourage spawning. Once spawning has occurred, it is wise to remove the adults from the tank because they will be likely to eat their own eggs and fry.