Widow Tetra Fish

Widow tetras—also widely known as black skirt tetras (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi)—are hardy, active freshwater fish native to South America.

Key features include:

• Distinctive Appearance: They feature a deep, compressed, diamond-shaped body with prominent, flowing anal and dorsal fins.

• Coloration: Classic widow tetras display a striking silver-gray body marked by two prominent vertical black bars behind the gills, with the rear half of the body and fins fading into a deep black. (As they mature, the dark coloration often softens to a silvery gray).

• Size: They typically grow to about 2 to 2.5 inches in length.

• Temperament: While active and social, they can occasionally be nippy toward slow-moving or long-finned tank mates, so they do best kept in groups within a lively community aquarium.