Are black skirt tetras really fin nippers?

[jaylach]

I have 6 black skirts in a 20 gallon cube that constantly chase each other in a manner that seems like nipping but none of the pesky critters show any fin damage at all which I would expect with nipping. Are they actually attacking (nipping) or are they just "playing tag"? They also seem to chase free floating air bubbles in the tank. They are actually fun to watch but I worry about what may happen if I ever find a source for the "feature fish" I want, Laetacara Dorsigera ( South American Dwarf Redbreast Cichlids ). Previously I would think that a cichlid would kick butt on any tetra if it came down to it but I've never had black skirts nor the type of Acara I want. Am I looking to have an ongoing battle? The cube tank has plenty of hiding places including floating fake plant stuff and a hollow fake tree trunk that covers a large portion of the tank with many openings.

The tetras also, at times, pester a tiny albino cory but, again, cause zero damage. They also make the mistake of pestering my pleco but he just gets irritated and chases them off or ignores. Just by what I'm seeing the black skirts are a pain but fun to watch. Are these critters actually a danger or are they just frisky and 'playing'?

 

[GaryE]

In a small group or alone, they will nip (in my experience). In larger groups, they'll just harass and stress. They may be my least liked tetra for that. But given tankmates with fancy finnage, they can do serious damage. Fish with natural fins aren't usually bitten.
I wouldn't keep them with Laetacara (then again, I wouldn't keep them!) because that Cichlid can be so slow and chill. You'd need a large tank as the tetras do grow large.

 

[jaylach]

CRUD! I REALLY want the Laetacara Dorsigera. The black skirts were sort of forced on me as I inherited one without a lot of choice. Since I wanted to be fair I got 5 more to school.

If it comes down to it the tetras would be gone in favor of the Laetacara Dorsigera. Still I sort of have become a bit fond of the stupid tetras and would love to have a situation where I could possibly have both. The cichlids I want tend to be middle to lower lever in a tank while the tetras seem happy at any level. With decent coverage can they co-exist? Here is the current setup. The tank is actually much clearer than it appears. I have yet to figure out how to photo a tank without getting the 'light bounce'. Still the image shows the layout. Can the tetras and Laetacara Dorsigera co-exist in such a setup? I would hate to get rid of the tetras as I'm finding them rather cute but the Laetacara Dorsigera come first.

 

[DoubleDutch]

My experience is they aren't finnippers at all but fish with a misunderstood way of behaviour / communication.
The remark you don't see any damage is telling enough I'd say.

 

[jaylach]

My experience is they aren't finnippers at all but fish with a misunderstood way of behaviour / communication.
The remark you don't see any damage is telling enough I'd say.

I tend to agree totally. While they seem to want chase things, including air bubbles, I have seen zero damage caused to any fish by these pesky critters. Actually I happened to see a couple of the tetras try to pick on my pleco... Keep in mind that the tail of the pleco is about the size of the tetras. After a while it was like the pleco got tired of the irritation and wiped out the tetras with a tail swipe. I mean seriously, the pleco knocked them head over heel. The tetras seemed to get the message and no longer mess with the pleco at all. In fact the tetras tend to vacate the area when the pleco comes out in the open areas of the tank.

The tetras actually seem to recognize what is dominate. I think/hope that the tetras soon learn that the wanted Laetacara Dorsigera are just as dominant as the pleco. The Laetacara Dorsigera may be slower but have a bigger bite.

Now if I could only find a source for the Laetacara Dorsigera I could test this out. I just can't find the danged critters. Eventually I WILL find but really don't know how many to order. Do I get 2, 3 or 4 By the specs my 20 gallon cube could handle 4 but I don't know what number would be best...

 

[Slaphppy7]

How long have you had the BS tetras?

 

[jaylach]

How long have you had the BS tetras?

Short time, total of 6 is less than a month old. The original one ... mayhaps 2 months or so. I would actually have to back through several of my topics to get actual time frames.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Short time, total of 6 is less than a month old. The original one ... mayhaps 2 months or so. I would actually have to back through several of my topics to get actual time frames.

They are still working out the hierarchy amongst themselves...I wouldn't add anything w/out rehoming them...especially in a tank with this kind of footprint...it could get ugly, fast

A bigger tank, with additional BS tetras to spread the aggression may be a different story....

 

[jaylach]

They are still working out the hierarchy amongst themselves...I wouldn't add anything w/out rehoming them...especially in a tank with this kind of footprint...it could get ugly, fast

A bigger tank, with additional BS tetras to spread the aggression may be a different story....

I just don't get the aggression aspect. Ya, they chase things including each other and bubbles but cause no harm. There is absolutely no fish in the tank that shows any sign of fins being nipped. There is zero damage to any fish in the tank so where is the actual danger?

 

[Back in the fold]

I have never had a Black Tetra. We are talking about Gymnocorymbus ternetzi I assume ? Hope that name is right. Only here on the Great TFF Forums have I ever heard the word skirt added to their name. Anywho , never had them but occasionally I have seen very large well grown specimens and thought they looked quite striking. Perhaps they are more closely related to their kinfolk the piranhas and that makes them nippy. And now it is time once again for me to climb up on my soapbox and shout loudly that species only tanks are best. The community tank is a myth. Your fish will show themselves best when kept to themselves. This is the common complaint for our friend the Black Tetra - he won't behave himself.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I just don't get the aggression aspect. Ya, they chase things including each other and bubbles but cause no harm. There is absolutely no fish in the tank that shows any sign of fins being nipped. There is zero damage to any fish in the tank so where is the actual danger?

Give it time...

 

[jaylach]

I have never had a Black Tetra. We are talking about Gymnocorymbus ternetzi I assume ? Hope that name is right. Only here on the Great TFF Forums have I ever heard the word skirt added to their name. Anywho , never had them but occasionally I have seen very large well grown specimens and thought they looked quite striking. Perhaps they are more closely related to their kinfolk the piranhas and that makes them nippy. And now it is time once again for me to climb up on my soapbox and shout loudly that species only tanks are best. The community tank is a myth. Your fish will show themselves best when kept to themselves. This is the common complaint for our friend the Black Tetra - he won't behave himself.

I don't really understand your post as piranha are actually cichlids if I understand correctly and have zero relation to any form of tetra. Yes, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi is a black skirt tetra but I must disagree with not behaving. Ya, they want to chase stuff but I have yet to see them cause any harm to another fish.

 

[Back in the fold]

Hey @jaylach A piranha is a tetra. A really big meat eating tetra. Ask anybody. If they aren't I'll eat my shorts.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Hey @jaylach A piranha is a tetra. A really big meat eating tetra. Ask anybody. If they aren't I'll eat my shorts.

You are correct, put your shorts back on

Pygocentrus nattereri – Red Bellied Piranha (Pygocentrus altus, Serrasalmo ternetzi) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[jaylach]

Hey @jaylach A piranha is a tetra. A really big meat eating tetra. Ask anybody. If they aren't I'll eat my shorts.

I searched it and you are correct. I always thought they were in the cichlid family but, in fact, my search shows that they actually are tetras. I must admit that it surprises me a bit but it is what it is.