Black Tetra

Black Tetra key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

5-8 years

Size

About 6-7.5cm SL

Temperature

20〜26℃

Diet

Dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia

Tank

Seriously Fish suggests a base of at least 75 by 30cm, about 68 litres. It is active, so give it plenty of open swimming space with planted or wooded corners to retreat to. It is unfussy about decor.

Water Temperature & Quality

Seriously Fish gives 20-26C, pH 6.0-7.0 and 5-20 dGH; FishBase gives pH 6.0-8.0, 5-19 dH and 20-26C and classes it as subtropical. It handles cooler water better than most tetras and can suit lightly heated tanks.

Tank Mates

A robust community fish that mixes with livebearers, danios, rasboras, other tetras, Corydoras and small loricariids. Its deep body makes it a poor meal for larger cichlids. It is quick, so avoid very timid tank mates.

Diet & Feeding

FishBase records worms, small crustaceans and insects in the wild. It takes dried food without complaint in the aquarium, and frozen bloodworm and Daphnia keep it in good condition.

Breeding & Spawning

Breeding is fairly straightforward. Spawn them in a dimly lit separate tank with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, or over a mesh the eggs can drop through. The eggs are adhesive, and the adults are removed afterwards.

Health & Notes

FishBase lists it as IUCN Least Concern, not on the CITES appendices and harmless to people. Long-finned selective forms are traded. The fading of the juvenile black as the fish matures is normal and not a sign of ill health.

About Black Tetra

Black Tetra is a hardy, mid-sized characin with a dark, gradient-toned body and a flowing skirt-like anal fin. Tolerant of cooler temperatures and shifting water conditions, it's a great choice for beginner aquarists.

7 things to know before welcoming a Black Tetra

1. 1Best kept in a group

   Black Tetras are schooling fish, so keeping several together helps them display calmer, more natural behavior. Kept alone or in very small numbers, they may become shy and hide more often.

2. 2Color deepens when young

   The dark coloring on the body is most intense while the fish is young and gradually softens as it grows. This fading is a natural part of maturing, not a sign of illness.

3. 3Handles cooler water well

   Being a subtropical species, it tolerates somewhat cooler temperatures better than many tropical fish. That said, sudden temperature swings are still stressful, so a heater and stable water temperature are still recommended.

4. 4Notable flowing anal fin

   Its large, skirt-like anal fin is one of its most distinctive features. It flutters gracefully as the fish swims, making it stand out in a tank.

5. 5Compatible with tankmates

   Its peaceful temperament makes it a good fit for community tanks with similarly sized tropical fish. Still, pairing it with very small fry or extremely slow-moving fish can lead to fin-nipping, so check compatibility before combining species.

6. 6Choose a tank sized for adults

   Adults reach roughly 6 to 7.5 cm in standard length, so it's worth setting up a tank with enough room, especially since they're best kept in groups. As active swimmers, they also appreciate some open swimming space in the layout.

7. 7Hardy and beginner-friendly

   Its tolerance for changes in water quality and temperature makes it a commonly recommended species for first-time aquarium keepers. Even so, basic care like regular water changes is still essential, just as with any other fish.

Frequently asked questions about Black Tetra

Q.Is the Black Tetra suitable for beginners?

A.Yes — it's relatively tolerant of cooler temperatures and changes in water quality, which makes it a commonly recommended choice for first-time keepers. Basic water quality management is still needed, but it's known for being easy to care for.

Q.How many should be kept together?

A.Since it's a schooling fish, keeping several together tends to bring out calmer, more natural behavior. It's generally recommended to keep it with others of its own kind rather than alone.

Q.The black coloring is fading — is that a disease?

A.The dark coloring is naturally most intense in young fish and gradually softens as they mature. Fading color on its own is a normal part of growth, not necessarily a sign of illness.

Q.Can it be kept with other fish?

A.Its peaceful temperament makes it generally well-suited to community tanks with similarly sized tropical fish. However, it may not mix well with very small or slow-moving fish, so consider compatibility before combining them.

Q.Is the Black Tetra subject to CITES?

A.No, the Black Tetra is not subject to CITES.

Useful tools for Black Tetra care

Learn more about Black Tetra in the encyclopedia

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