Diet, Tankmates, Tank Size, Lifespan

Let me tell you about one of my favorite starter fish: the white skirt tetra. These little Gymnocorymbus ternetzi tetras (also called petticoat tetra, gold skirt tetra or white tetras) are basically the white morph of the popular black skirt tetra, and they originate from South America (think Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia). 

They’re really hardy and easy to care for – I’d even put them in the “care level: easy” category for beginners. In a properly set-up tank, they’re quite forgiving if you meet their basic care requirements. Stick with me and I’ll cover everything you need to know.

Physical Characteristics

Size

White skirt tetras stay pretty small with adults reaching a size of 2 inches, so they’re perfect for medium-sized tanks. 

Appearance

They have a slim, diamond-shaped body with a flowing triangular anal fin on the underside – that’s where the “skirt” name comes from. Their bodies are mostly pearly white (especially albino varieties) and they often have a hint of black on the dorsal and anal fins. 

Author Note: It’s hard to tell males from females by color, but usually females get a bit rounder, especially when they’re carrying eggs.

Lifespan

One thing I love is how tough these little fish are. In a healthy, well-maintained aquarium, white skirt tetras have a lifespan of 3–5 years. With really great care (perfect water, good diet, low stress), you might stretch that to 6 or even 7 years. 

In fact, some sources note that some white skirt tetras have hit the seven-year mark under ideal conditions. So yes, they may be small, but they have longevity to spare if you give them a good home.

Tank Setup And Water Requirements

Tank Size

When setting up a tank, think shoal and space. I usually start with at least a 10-gallon aquarium for a small school of 5–6 fish. That’s really the minimum – bigger is better, because a larger tank means more stable water conditions. 

A useful rule of thumb is to allow roughly 3 gallons of water for every tetra after the first few. In other words, if you want a nice school of 10 white skirt tetras, a 20- or 30-gallon tank is ideal. These midwater swimmers will thank you for the extra space to dart around.

Decorations

White skirt tetras feel happiest with lots of cover, so I add plenty of plants to their tank. Leafy plants like Amazon swords or Java fern give them places to hide when they feel shy, while fine-leaved plants (Java moss, Cabomba, etc.) are perfect spawn sites later on. 

I also use a dark sandy or fine-gravel substrate and pieces of driftwood or rock to create natural shelter. This setup mimics where their natural habitat and makes them feel secure. Don’t forget to leave some open swimming space in the middle.

Water Parameters

Water conditions? Keep it pretty simple: warm, soft, and clean. 

• Temperature: 75–80°F 
• pH: 6.0–7.5 . 

Because these tetras come from slow, tannin-stained streams, I use a gentle filter flow and subdued lighting. 

Author Note: Avoid extremes like cold water or sudden chemical swings. If you keep the water steady, they’ll thank you by staying healthy.

Feeding Guidelines

White skirt tetras are omnivores and hearty eaters. In my tank, I give them a varied diet: high-quality flake foods or tiny pellet (micro-pellet) food as a staple, plus regular protein treats. 

For example, once or twice a week I’ll add live or frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms to the menu. These goodies really pack nutrition and even boost their coloration. 

They also appreciate a bit of veggie matter: I sometimes drop in a blanched spinach leaf or spirulina flakes every now and then. 

Author Note: Feed small portions a couple of times a day – whatever they can eat in a minute or so, and then siphon out any leftovers to keep the water clean.

Behavior and Compatible Tankmates

One of the nicest things about white skirt tetras is their temperament. They’re true shoaling fish, so I always keep them in a group of at least 5–6. 

With friends around, they swim boldly and even form a pretty school. They generally stick to mid-level water and flit around among the plants, exploring together. 

On the other hand, a lonely tetra looks stressed and tends to hide by itself. Because they’re so peaceful, white skirt tetras make great community tankmates. 

Good companions include other mid-sized, non-aggressive fish: 

Other sources share lists with those exact examples of compatible companions. Just avoid any fish that might eat or fin-nip them. 

I’ve read that long-finned fish like bettas or angelfish can occasionally have their fins nipped by skirt tetras, so I avoid adding those to the same tank.

Common Health Issues And How To Prevent Them

Luckily, white skirt tetras are generally hardy fish and not prone to many diseases if you keep the tank in good shape. 

The main thing to watch for is stress-related issues. For example, Ich (white-spot disease) can occur if the water gets too cold or crowded – you’ll see little white dots appear on the fish. 

Author Note: To prevent that and other problems, just keep the water clean: frequent partial water changes and good filtration, and avoid sudden temperature dips (which can trigger stress). 

Feeding a varied, nutritious diet helps maintain their immune function – healthy, well-fed tetras resist infections much better. 

If a fish does get ich, use a standard treatment and isolate it until it’s clear, since ich can recur if it’s not fully eradicated. We like FISHICK’s Metronidazole since it is formulated to treat bacterial and protozoan infections.

Maintenance Tips For A Healthy Tank

Good maintenance is the secret sauce. I clean the gravel and do partial water changes regularly – about 20–30% each week is a good rule. If you have trouble remembering, try our online tracker AquaTrack.

This routine keeps nitrates down and the tank environment stable, so diseases and ammonia spikes are far less likely. I also keep an eye on the filter: when the media gets dirty I gently rinse it in old tank water to preserve the beneficial bacteria. 

In practice, that means small weekly check-ups instead of waiting for a big problem. Over time, your aquarium becomes more of a self-sustaining system that your tetras will love.

Breeding And Raising Fry

Breeding white skirt tetras is pretty straightforward once their tank is dialed in. You’ll want a separate breeding tank or at least a divider to protect the eggs.

The right environment 

I usually use a 10-gallon with fine-leaved plants (like Java moss or hornwort) and slightly softer, warmer water (around 78–80°F). When it’s breeding time, I condition the adults with extra live foods (brine shrimp, bloodworms) to get them in spawning mood. 

The behavior

The male will pick a spot, flare his fins and do a little dance to attract the female. When she’s ready, the female will scatter hundreds of tiny eggs among the plants.

The afterparty

Right after spawning, I move the parents out. If you leave them in, they’ll happily eat the eggs – trust me, separating them is key. 

The babies

The eggs will hatch in about a day (24–36 hours). After a few more days, the fry will become free-swimming and start looking for food.

The food

I feed them microscopic meals: first infusoria or a tiny drop of egg-yolk “tea,” then freshly hatched brine shrimp or finely crushed flake food once they’re big enough. 

Watching those tiny fry wriggle around in the tank is one of my favorite beginner experiences!

Wrapping Up

White skirt tetras are one of those fish that just make aquarium life better. They’re hardy, low-maintenance, fun to watch, and perfect for beginners or anyone looking to build a peaceful community tank. 

As long as you give them the right environment, a proper diet, and a few tank mates to swim with, these little fish will thrive for years. I hope this guide helps you feel more confident about keeping them—and maybe even inspires you to give them a try. Happy fishkeeping!

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