White Widow Tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi (white form)) is the naturally pale or leucistic form of the Black Widow Tetra, with the same deep body and active shoaling behaviour.
Appearance and natural habitat
In a settled group the fish spend much of their time together in midwater, with short displays and changes of position giving the aquarium constant movement. Keeping enough of their own kind improves confidence, colour and natural social behaviour.
In the wild, this fish comes from a captive colour form of a species from the Paraguay and Guapore basins of South America. It is associated with slow rivers, streams and flooded areas with vegetation and open midwater space. Matching some of that shelter and maintaining stable water helps the fish settle; use the species-appropriate conditions shown below.
White Widow Tetra care
- Adult size: up to 6 cm
- Temperature: 20-26°C
- pH: 6.0-7.0
- Temperament: Peaceful community fish
- Group: At least 6; 8 or more is better
- Care level: Easy
Aquarium setup
Provide a mature aquarium with open swimming space and plants or wood around the edges. Avoid delicate long-finned tank mates, particularly if the group is too small.
Use an established filter and introduce the fish only after the aquarium is fully cycled. Regular partial water changes and steady conditions are safer than sudden attempts to adjust pH or hardness.
Feeding and tank mates
Feeding: Use quality flakes or small pellets as the staple and add frozen daphnia, brine shrimp or bloodworm for variety.
Compatibility: Keeping a good-sized group reduces fin nipping and gives more natural behaviour. This description refers to the undyed white form.
Watch the group at feeding time to make sure every fish gets food, particularly when they share the aquarium with faster species. A varied diet, clean water and suitable companions are the best route to strong colour and long-term health.


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