Gold Skirt Tetra – Gymnocorymbus ternetzi – 2 to 2.5 cm

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi – Gold Skirt Tetra

The Gold Skirt Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi) is a pale captive-bred form of the Black Skirt Tetra. It retains the characteristic deep, laterally compressed body shape of the species but displays attractive white to pale golden colouration.

This captive-bred form offers the characteristic behaviour of Gymnocorymbus ternetzi with a very different appearance from the darker wild-type form.

The specimens offered here are approximately 2 to 2.5 cm.

Adult Size

The Gold Skirt Tetra generally reaches approximately 5 to 6 cm as an adult.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 22 to 28 °C
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Nitrite: 0 mg/L

Nitrite should remain undetectable. Clean, stable and properly filtered water is recommended.

What Size Aquarium for Gold Skirt Tetras?

The Gold Skirt Tetra is an active fish that should be kept in a group. An aquarium at least 80 cm long provides a good basis and offers sufficient swimming space.

Planted areas can be provided along the sides and rear of the aquarium, while leaving plenty of open space for the group to swim freely.

Behaviour and Group Keeping

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi is an active and social shoaling species. It is preferable to keep at least 8 to 10 individuals, with a larger group recommended when aquarium size allows.

Lively interactions may sometimes occur between individuals. Keeping a sufficiently large group helps distribute these interactions and encourages more natural social behaviour.

Care should be taken when choosing tank mates, particularly very calm species or fish with long, flowing fins.

Feeding

In the wild, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi feeds on small invertebrates, insects, larvae and other small organisms.

In the aquarium, it readily accepts pellets and flakes suitable for the size of its mouth. Frozen or live foods such as Artemia and Daphnia can also be offered as part of a varied diet.

A varied diet helps maintain the fish in good condition.

Breeding

The Gold Skirt Tetra is an egg-laying species. It scatters its eggs amongst vegetation and provides no parental care.

As adults may eat the eggs and newly hatched fry, controlled breeding generally requires the spawn to be protected.

Origin

The Gold Skirt Tetra is a captive-bred colour form. The species Gymnocorymbus ternetzi originates from South America, including the Paraguay and Guaporé river basins.

Lifespan

Under suitable aquarium conditions, the Gold Skirt Tetra can live for approximately 5 years, and sometimes longer.

Never Release Aquarium Fish into the Wild

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi must never be released into a river, pond, lake or any other natural environment.