Here’s a complete guide to the White Widow Tetra, a selectively bred variation of the popular Black Skirt Tetra:

🐟 White Widow Tetra Overview

• Scientific Name: Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

• Common Names: White Skirt Tetra, White Widow Tetra, Albino Black Skirt Tetra

• Family: Characidae

• Origin: Originally from the Paraguay and Guaporé River basins in South America (this variety is bred in captivity)

• Type: Captive-bred color morph of the Black Skirt Tetra

📏 Physical Characteristics

• Size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6.5 cm)

• Coloration:

  • Translucent to milky white body

  • Faint pinkish or bluish hues depending on lighting

  • Longer flowing fins (in some long-fin varieties)

• Sexual Dimorphism:

  • Females are typically rounder-bodied, especially when gravid

  • Males may be slightly slimmer and have longer dorsal fins

🧬 Behavior and Temperament

• Temperament: Peaceful, slightly fin-nippy if under-stimulated

• Schooling Fish: Yes — keep in groups of at least 6–8

• Tank Level: Mid to upper levels

• Behavior:

  • Active swimmers

  • Can be nippy if not kept in proper numbers or with slow-finned tankmates

🐠 Tank Requirements

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivorous

• Preferred Foods:

  • Flakes, micro pellets

  • Frozen or live foods: daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp

  • Veggies: spirulina flakes, blanched spinach/zucchini

• Feeding Schedule: 1–2 times per day, small portions

🐣 Breeding

• Spawning Type: Egg scatterer

• Spawning Behavior:

  • No parental care

  • Scatter eggs over fine plants or substrate

  • Adults may eat eggs

• Breeding Setup:

  • Separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and spawning mops/plants

  • Remove adults after spawning

• Fry Care:

  • Feed infusoria, then baby brine shrimp as they grow

✅ Tips for Success

• Keep in groups to reduce fin-nipping and stress

• Avoid mixing with slow-moving, long-finned fish like bettas or guppies

• Add floating plants for shade and natural comfort

• Regular water changes help maintain vibrant appearance

🤝 Compatibility

White Widow Tetras are generally community-safe when kept in appropriate numbers. Compatible with:

• Other tetras (e.g., neon, lemon, ember)

• Rasboras

• Corydoras

• Danios

• Gouramis (non-aggressive types)

• Dwarf cichlids (e.g., apistogrammas)

Avoid:

• Fish with long flowing fins (e.g., bettas, angelfish)

• Aggressive or predatory species

⚠️ Common Issues

• Fin-nipping: Common if kept in small groups or overcrowded tanks

• Color fading: Often due to stress, poor lighting, or inadequate diet

• Diseases: Susceptible to common freshwater illnesses like ich or fin rot

🎯 Summary

The White Widow Tetra is a beautiful, peaceful variant of the Black Skirt Tetra that brings elegance to community aquariums. With proper care, schooling companions, and a balanced diet, they can live up to 5 years and remain active, hardy, and entertaining to watch.

IMAGES ARE FOR REPRESENTATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.