Guppies are some of the most popular aquarium fish out there. They have a reputation for being some of the best companion fish. So, can you keep guppies with black skirt tetras, or is this combination a big no-no?
Black skirt tetras might not be as popular as their neon cousins, but they are still gorgeous pets. Adding colorful fish to their tank can give your setup a more beautiful and colorful appearance, so why not give it a go with guppies?
But, wait… Do black skirt tetras and guppies even make good tank mates? Here’s everything you need to know:
Can Black Skirt Tetras Live With Guppies?
Black skirt tetras are friendly and peaceful fish that love to be in community tanks. The same can be said for guppies, which are known to be a type of pet that can get along with almost anyone – and this goes for most types of tetras.
That’s right. Black skirt tetras and guppies make excellent tank mates! In fact, they are some of the best matches in the hobby.
Why Are They Good Tank Mates?
Black skirt tetras and guppies make great tank mates for a few reasons.
First off, they both have peaceful temperaments, which means they are less likely to engage in aggressive behavior toward each other. You’ll never see them fighting!
Secondly, their care requirements are quite similar. Both species prefer similar water parameters, such as neutral to slightly acidic pH levels and moderate water hardness. They also thrive in well-maintained tanks with appropriate filtration and regular water changes.
In other words, what works for one fish will probably work for the other one This means less trouble for you!
Not just that, but black skirt tetras and guppies have compatible diets. They are omnivorous and will readily accept a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, and live or frozen options.
This makes feeding them convenient and allows you to provide a balanced and nutritious diet for both species.
Lastly, having a combination of these two fish can add visual appeal to your tank as the two look so different.
Black skirt tetras have sleek, dark bodies with long, flowing fins, while guppies come in a wide array of vibrant colors and patterns. Their contrasting appearances can make any tank look interesting!
How To Increase Their Chances Of Getting Along
Most people who’ve kept black skirt tetras and guppies together never reported having any issues. Personally, I’ve never struggled with this combo, and this community tank is one of the easiest ones when it comes to maintenance.
However, this doesn’t mean that troubles might never happen – especially if you didn’t provide your aquatic pets with proper living conditions.
Here are some steps you can take to make sure your fish always get along:
Make Sure The Tank Is Properly Sized
Providing a spacious aquarium is important to accommodate the swimming and territorial needs of both guppies and black skirt tetras. A larger tank reduces the already slim chances of aggression and allows fish to establish their territories.
Don’t even think about keeping this many fish in a 5-gallon tank! A 20-gallon one is the minimum under which I wouldn’t go. This should accommodate the large number of fish you’ll need to keep.
Have A Proper Number Of Fish
Both of these fish are social animals that love to stay in large, same-species groups. You should keep at least 5 guppies and 5 black skirt tetras. Now you probably understand why I mentioned what I did about the tank size.
Larger groups distribute aggression, as individual fish are less likely to become fixated on a single target. This reduces the chances of bullying or excessive chasing.
Not just that, but if any of these two species would stay in too small groups, they would become stressed out. This can lead to many health problems and even death.
Sure, keeping proper tank mates for black skirt tetras can help with their social needs, but nothing will change the interaction these fish can have among themselves.
Make Sure The Male-To-Female Ratio Is Appropriate
This one is much more important with guppies than with black skirt tetras. I’ll explain why.
Having a higher number of females compared to males helps balance out aggression. Male guppies can be territorial and may exhibit aggressive behavior towards each other or other species.
By having more females, it reduces the competition for mates and minimizes aggression. While guppies can hardly hurt black skirts, males’ attacks might still cause stress to both fish.
Also, guppies are known for their extremely fast breeding. If you keep too many males with lots of females, you’ll have to deal with fry in no time. As these fish are livebearers, you might not even know you’re about to become a fish grandfather until it’s too late!
Monitor Water Parameters
It is crucial to ensure that the water conditions meet the requirements of both guppies and black skirt tetras. This ensures that both species can thrive and reduces stress caused by unsuitable living conditions.
If the water temperature is too low or too high or if the water is too alkaline or acidic, your fish will become stressed out. This will lead to them lashing out, and your other pets might become the targets.
Not to mention how improper water parameters might quickly result in health decline! In fact, improper conditions are one of the main reasons behind your guppies dying so quickly.
Give Your Fish Enough Food
Offering a varied diet and ensuring all fish receive enough food is important to prevent aggression stemming from competition over resources.
As both of these fish are omnivores, it’s important to provide a mix of high-quality flake or pellet food, supplemented with occasional live or frozen treats like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Observe feeding time and make sure all fish have access to food to minimize conflicts, if needed.
Fortunately, both of these fish inhabit similar areas of the tank, which means they’ll eat at a similar time. This will decrease the chances of one of them remaining underfed.
Bottom Line
As a good aquarist, it is your duty to make sure all your aquatic pets are thriving. Sure, the most important thing you need to do is to give them good living conditions, but providing them with adequate friends is just as important.
Fortunately, keeping black skirt tetras and guppies together can indeed be a successful and enjoyable experience in the aquarium.
These two species can coexist peacefully when certain considerations are taken into account. By following a few key guidelines, you can increase the chances of a happy tank environment.
As both fish are rather calm and friendly, the chances of something bad happening are slim to none. Still, you should do all you can to help them coexist.
I hope this guide was helpful and that you’ve found your fish a match made in heavens!
Hi fellow aquarists, I’m Ava and I’ve been an enthusiastic aquarium hobbyist for over four years now.
I’ve been amazed by these beautiful creatures since I was a kid and I’m thrilled to be sharing everything I’ve learned over the years with anyone who’s as passionate about the topic as I am.