The Black Skirt Tetra is a popular freshwater fish that belongs to the Characin family. It originates from South America and has been bred in captivity for over 200 years. The Guppy, on the other hand, is a freshwater tropical fish that was originally found in Guyana, but it rapidly spread around the world because of its popularity as an ornamental fish. Do Black Skirt Tetra And Guppies Live Together Peacefully?
Many people want to know if black skirt tetra and guppies can live together in the same aquarium. Well, we are here to answer that question for you! But before we answer it, let’s talk a little bit about both species of fish.
Black skirt tetras grow up to 2 inches long and prefer temperatures between 68°F-80°F with pH levels from 6.0-7.0 and water hardness from 4-8 dGH. Guppies grow up to 4 inches long and will thrive in temperatures between 74°F-82°F with pH levels from 7.0-8.0 and water hardness below 8-12 dGH (or they will die).
In this article, we will answer some commonly-asked questions about whether these two types of aquarium fishes can live together peacefully in a tank.
Brief Details About Black Skirt Tetra And Guppies
Black skirt tetra is peaceful fish that will not bother other fishes. They are very active swimmers and love to school with their own species, although they can sometimes be territorial during spawning periods or when they feel particularly threatened by another member of the shoal.
On the other hand, guppy fish is a very active, peaceful fish that is native to South America. They are also known as “million fish” because of their population explosion in the wild due to human intervention. Guppies love open spaces and will not be shy when it comes time for them to explore around your tank! They can sometimes nip on other fishes’ tails or fins, but it is usually not anything that can’t be handled.
Are Black Skirt Tetras And Guppies Compatible Tank Mates?
Now that we have talked about the basic information about each of the fish, let’s answer your question. In order to know if black skirt tetras and guppies can live together in a tank, we have to ask another question first: do you want them to live together?
The answer to this question is yes! Black skirt tetras and guppies are compatible tank mates and will live peacefully together in a community aquarium setting.
Keeping Black Skirt Tetra and Guppies in the Same
However, it is important to keep some things in mind about their habitats and how they can affect each other. So, let’s talk more about this!
Tank Size For Black Skirt Tetras And Guppies
Since black skirt tetra is a shoaling fish that will usually grow up to just under two inches long, it requires at least 15 gallons of water per one fish. Guppy fish is a little bit bigger and can grow up to four inches long, so you should have at least 20 gallons of water per one guppy. In addition to that, black skirt tetras are better off in larger shoals rather than smaller ones because they enjoy being with their own species more than anything else.
Water Parameters
Black skirt tetra will thrive best in moderately soft water (or high water hardness).
Water temperature: 60°F-80°F
pH level 6.8 – 7.0
Water hardness (kH) level 4.0 – 8.0
On the other hand, guppies love open spaces as well as warm temperatures ranging from 74°F-82°F and moderately hard water (or moderate/high dGH). Keeping these parameters straight for both fishes’ tanks can be a bit of a headache, so we recommend checking out this awesome chart – it will make your life much easier!
Food For Black Skirt Tetras And Guppies
Both black skirt tetra and guppy fish eat pretty much the same types of food: they love live foods like worms and insects but can also be fed pellets or flakes.
You can even give them both frozen bloodworms as their treat once in a while to keep these fishes happy! As far as tank maintenance goes, you need to do weekly water changes (about 50%) for both tanks if you don’t want your fishes’ health to suffer.
Why Is Meat And Vegetables In Diet Neces
Filter Suitable For Both Black Skirt Tetra And Guppy Fish
Now that we have answered some questions about whether black skirt tetra and guppy fish can live together in a tank, let’s talk about filters!
AquaClear Fish Tank Filter is an excellent filter for both types of fish because it has a seven-stage filtration system that will remove harmful toxins and particles from the water. It also comes with a customizable media chamber so you can add whatever type of filter cartridge you want (or even use activated carbon to remove any unwanted smells!).
In addition to that, AquaClear 70 Filter is very quiet when it runs, which means you won’t be disturbed by its noise while you’re trying to sleep at night!
Tank Maintenance
As we earlier, weekly water changes are necessary if you don’t want to risk your fishes’ health. The water should be changed 50% every week. Likewise, you will also need to clean the filter cartridge (or replace it, depending on how often you use it).
Keep Lots Of Live Plants
One of the best ways to keep your black skirt tetras and guppy fish happy is by adding lots of live plants to their tanks! Not only do they provide a natural environment for your fishes to swim around in, but they also help with tank filtration.
Some good live plant choices for both types of fish include Anacharis, Hornwort, Java Ferns, Water Wisteria, and Cryptocoryne.
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Java Fern |  |
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Java Moss | |
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Amazon Sword | |
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Hornwort | |
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Frogbit | |
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Anubias Petite | |
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Twisted Vallisneria | |
Can Black Skirt Tetra And Guppy Breed In The Same Aquarium?
Unfortunately, no! Black skirt tetras and guppies cannot breed in a community tank because they are not related species.
However, if both fish were kept in separate tanks with males and females included. Thus, there is a chance that black skirt tetras could crossbreed with guppies since these two types of fish can interbreed together.
FAQ
Do Guppies Attack Black Skirt Tetra?
Since guppy fish are peaceful and do not have a history of attacking other fishes, the answer to this question is no. However, if there is ever any problem that does arise between them, it is always better to be safe than sorry – so keep an eye on them!
Do Black Skirt Tetra Eat Baby Guppies?
No, black skirt tetras will not eat baby guppies. In fact, they might even protect them from potential predators!
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say with certainty that skirt tetras and guppy fish can live together in the same tank if certain precautions are taken. Make sure that you do your research well before putting them together to avoid any problems. And please feel free to leave any questions or comments down below!