Black Widow Tetras should be kept in shoals of 6 or more fish. They are a peaceful species, although they may bicker amongst themselves from time to time, and larger groups will help to reduce this. However, they should not bother other species in the same aquarium. These fish will feel most at home in a planted tank incorporating floating plants to provide them with shady areas.
May also be seen referred to by the American common name Black Skirt Tetra. A gold form of this species is also available under the names Gold Widow Tetra or White Widow Tetra.