You can add cave systems and driftwood as well. These fish are active swimmers, so you need to provide plenty of space to prevent overcrowding. The ideal setup is to have either a single pair or a school which consists of a single male and several females. They are easily available and are generally inexpensive. Today, they’re a common species in the aquarium trade. We recommend the API Master Test Kit. I love sharing my tips and tricks to help make you a better fishkeeper, so stay updated by following us on Social Media! These are the dorsal, caudal, anal and finally, the adipose fin. It causes visible white lesions throughout the entire body. Good water conditions are paramount when it comes to keeping your fish healthy. These will give them some variety and enrichment which will keep their stress levels low. Taller plants will ensure that the fish have places to hide without having to venture down to the bottom of the tank. Plastic grass mattings may sufficiently do the trick. This will dramatically improve water quality in the long run. This helps us stay afloat and producing new content. Bacteria-carrying items may include substrate, plants, and furnishings. The aquarium water, at least 30% of it, should be changed every other week, particularly if it is heavily stocked. Black Skirt Tetras will scatter their eggs throughout the entire tank instead of choosing one spot. One remarkable characteristic of the Black Phantom Tetra which makes it a favorite among aquarium hobbyists is their resilience. The base of the tank must be covered with a mesh to keep the eggs out of the adults’ reach. Expect these tetras to wander off in all regions of the aquarium—top, side, bottom. When it comes to color, the fins are usually dark gray or black. This is because Black Skirt Tetras can become targets due to their passive nature. They have a general lifespan of 5 – 6 years. Learn more. In a couple of weeks, they will be big enough to consume baby brine shrimp. Sometimes, when fertile eggs are situated next to a heap of fungus-infected infertile eggs, they end up being affected as well. They can be found in the Paraguay River Basin, throughout Brazil, and even in Argentina. Under ideal living conditions, aquarium owners usually note doubling in population within less than fifteen months. Though, it’s highly contagious. So, you must breed them in a separate tank to prevent the adults from eating the babies. Other than that, Black Skirt Tetras can get along with other peaceful fish without any issues. Afterwards, commercial fry food may be given. The ecosystem where these fish reside in the wild is teeming with life. Tetra Images. At the very least, you need a group of 5 fish to keep them happy. The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus), also known as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin, and blind cave tetra, is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. Fishkeeping Advice is a member of the Amazon Affiliate Programme. Most of these issues can be treated by improving water quality and using over-the-counter medications. At the bottom of the tank, you can use a dark sandy substrate. Black Skirt Tetras aren’t picky when it comes to food. Plants are one of the most important things to introduce into the aquarium. The goal is to make it difficult for the adult fish to feed on the eggs. The rays aren’t as firm or pointy as you’d see on other fish species, but they are visible upon close inspection. However, its coloring is less bright, usually light gray with a big dark patch situated just behind the gills and with an iridescent silvery trim. Like any other freshwater fish, Black Skirt Tetras are prone to a variety of diseases. In fact, it sometimes ends up eating its offspring. Having some hardy ones in your tank can be a nice snack for your fish in between feedings.