Size of Black Skirt Tetras

I thought the size of Black Skirt Tetras were 3" max. I believe I saw on this sight that they were 2"?

If anyone has both Black Shirt Tetras and minor tetras, which one would you prefer? My tank is fully cycled also.

I tried to post this on the Tetra Board but didn't see a post new message thread.

Thanks

 

They get to be 2" long that I know of.

 

I have black skirt tetras and red minor tetras. I'm pretty sure petsmart lists black skirt tetras as up to 3" and I can see why. One of mine is pretty big. I also have red minor tetras as my other mid swimmers. Both breeds are still healthy after 2 years. OTOH I have lost multiple hatchet fish and cory catfish in that time. The red minors can be agreesive sometimes according to many sources. I like them the most since they are a little more colorful. Both breeds need a 20 gallon tank.

 

I have both as well. They are both schooling fish. The male black skirts are easily 3 inches. The black skirts are less active and more aggressive IME. In complete honesty, I wouldn't feel comfortable with a school of black skirts in a 10 gallon.

The red minors are more colorful, and more active, but smaller. Mine have an awesome red/black coloring with a bright white edge on their dorsal and pectoral fins. IMO they are better looking, more fun to watch, and would fit more comfortably as a school in a 10 gallon.

 

I actually thought the black skirts were more colorful. Especially when my lights seem to be brighter on my aquarium than petsmarts and thought they would look pale with lights on in my tank. I had to return 4 guppies yesterday because I can not keep guppies alive, but I have luck with neon tetras, so I only got 2 black shirt tetras to see if I like them or how aggressive they were. They don't seem that aggressive to me and have left my neons alone. One seems to chase one around, but my neons do the same thing. One seems to hide behind the plants, but my neons did the same thing when I first got them. I've heard that moving plants and decorations around may help

Should I get another black shirt tetra or can I get one red minor instead? Will those school together since they are almost the same size. That way I'd have 2 different colors of those tetras.

I have 4 neon tetras and don't want any more small tetras.They are too small to see unless I get right upon the tank. Will that be o.k. I heard of people putting 3 black shirts in with a few tetras with no problem.

 

I hadn't said it before, but welcome to Fishlore! I just realized this was your 1st post.

I have to assume that you have juveniles if your black skirts are the same size as your red minors. Black skirts will easily grow to 2 or 3 times the size of the red minors. This would also explain why there is minimal aggression. The black skirts tend to become more aggressive as they age and can become pretty mean, especially to each other if there's a small number in a small space. They are by far the most aggressive fish in my community tank.

Unfortunately, the black skirts and reds will not school together. Even though they are the same size now, they will not be in a few months and the differences between size and color will detract them from one another. Both of these fish tend to gain comfort by being in a larger group of similar sized/colored/shaped fish. Probably not the answer you're hoping for, but I would suggest sticking with one or the other, not just a few of both. If you like the black skirts, I would see about returning the red minor, as well as the neons, and get a complete school of the black skirts. This will minimize aggression within the group, and reduce stress from to many varied fish types.

When I get home, I'll try to capture a side by side picture of a full grown black skirt and a full grown red minor so you can see the size difference.

 

HI and thanks for the warm welcome. Oh I didn't purchase any of the red minor tetras yet, thank goodness. I was only wondering if they would school together and now have your answer. No.

As far as the 4 neons I have had them for 2 months now and can not return them.
This is my stock as now:
4 neon tetras
2 black skirt tetras

That is it and should I get one more black shirt tetra?
Is it o.k. to wait a while before I get another one. Will those 2 be o.k. for awhile. I just got them last night.
Should I wait and make sure they live or is it better to go ahead and get another one soon.

I know that is a little overstocked, however the neons are little. Now I'm sorry I got them,but they were on sale for $1.00 and I planned on having them with guppies. Like others I can't keep guppies alive. And I can't put them in my 5 gallon tank with my betta. I also have a water test kit I ordered coming in soon.

 

I would really recommend upgrading to a 20 long or a 29g; those fish already don't have enough room in a 10, so they'll be more prone to aggression and sickness (not to mention bioload issues) if you add more, but will be uncomfortable in their incomplete schools if you don't. With a 20 or 29 I believe you could fill out both schools so they'd be happier, healthier AND have enough room to swim.

 

HI and thanks for the warm welcome. Oh I didn't purchase any of the red minor tetras yet, thank goodness. I was only wondering if they would school together and now have your answer. No.

As far as the 4 neons I have had them for 2 months now and can not return them.
This is my stock as now:
4 neon tetras
2 black skirt tetras

That is it and should I get one more black shirt tetra?
Is it o.k. to wait a while before I get another one. Will those 2 be o.k. for awhile. I just got them last night.
Should I wait and make sure they live or is it better to go ahead and get another one soon.

I know that is a little overstocked, however the neons are little. Now I'm sorry I got them,but they were on sale for $1.00 and I planned on having them with guppies. Like others I can't keep guppies alive. And I can't put them in my 5 gallon tank with my betta. I also have a water test kit I ordered coming in soon.

So to start, I'm glad to hear that you've ordered a test kit. It is a major step in understanding/diagnosing tank conditions. It'll help you to confirm what is going on with your water and will aid in preventing fish fatality. That being said, I am curious how you know your tank is fully cycled? Did you have your water tested at the LFS? Before adding any additional stock, I'd wait until the test kit arrives so that you can confirm water parameters. If not tested regularly (especially at start up, or when adding fish), a water parameter issue may be the cause of your fish deaths up until this point.

I'm glad to hear you did not get the red yet. See below for a size comparison once they have grown.

Now, on to your question. I have to say that I agree with Charchar2 in that a 10 gallon is not ideal for either of the species you have currently. Especially when you take into account 5 fish per species is a bare minimum recommendation when keeping either one. If it is possible to increase the tank size, I would strongly encourage it, 20 gallon being the minimum I would recommend. This would provide enough space for a full school of the black skirts and the neons, and maybe even leave space for some other interesting stuff like shrimp, or snails!