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Gold Tetra
Hemigrammus rodwayi
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characidae
📍 Essequibo and Amazon basins, South America
The gold tetra has a distinctive golden-yellow sheen to the body caused by a parasitic infection the fish experiences in the wild — this actually produces the attractive gold iridescence that hobbyists prize. Tank-bred specimens often lack the intense gold but retain a pleasant iridescence. A peaceful, undemanding schooling fish.
Care Guide
Diet
Gold tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality small flake foods and micro pellets as staples. Supplement 2-3 times weekly with frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms to enhance coloration and maintain health. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Gold tetras are active, peaceful schooling fish that exhibit their best behavior and coloration when kept in groups of 8 or more. They occupy the mid-water column and are constantly in motion, displaying natural schooling patterns that make them engaging to observe. They are non-aggressive toward other peaceful species and rarely nip fins.
Breeding
Breeding gold tetras in captivity is possible but moderately difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), dense vegetation or spawning mops, and careful conditioning of breeding pairs with live foods. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours, and fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament; both prefer soft, slightly acidic water
Similar size, temperament, and water requirements; excellent schooling companion
Peaceful schooling fish with overlapping water parameter ranges
Peaceful, non-aggressive; prefers slightly warmer water but compatible with gold tetras
Peaceful invertebrate that shares similar water preferences; minimal predation risk with adult tetras
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, flashing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28–29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, and treat with ich medication or salt (1 teaspoon per gallon) for 7–10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stocking density, and treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, spinal curvature, erratic swimming, gradual wasting
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, and consider euthanasia if severely affected
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, clamped fins, loss of appetite
Perform frequent water changes, treat with antiparasitic medication, and quarantine new fish before adding to main tank
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – small flake, micro pellets, frozen foods
- schooling
- 8+ recommended
- tank size
- 15 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful schooling fish
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- hardness
- 3–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–81°F (22–27°C)