Gold Tetra Care Guide
Hemigrammus rodwayi is the gold tetra, whose wild golden sheen results from a skin reaction to a parasite. A peaceful, hardy shoaling characin.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hemigrammus rodwayi, the gold tetra or Rodway's tetra, is a small characin from northern South America. The species is named after the naturalist James Rodway. Its most distinctive feature is a powdery golden tint on the body, which is thought to be caused by a cutaneous reaction to a trematode parasite. Tank-bred fish that have not encountered the parasite typically appear more silvery.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Hemigrammus
- Scientific name: Hemigrammus rodwayi
- Common names: Gold tetra, Rodway's tetra
Habitat
The species occurs in the rivers of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and the wider Amazon basin. It is particularly abundant in coastal creeks and floodplains, where it is associated with waters carrying a certain level of salinity.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (about 21 gal)
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (73-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: at least 6 individuals
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The gold tetra is an omnivore. In the aquarium it accepts dried flakes and granules along with small live and frozen foods. A varied diet supports condition in this active shoaling fish.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, hardy schooling community fish that should be kept in a group. It mixes well with similarly sized peaceful species such as other tetras and Corydoras catfish, and should not be combined with large or aggressive tankmates.
Breeding
The species is an egg-scatterer that has been bred successfully in captivity. As with related tetras, no parental care is given to eggs or fry.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is used in both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Gold Tetra (Hemigrammus rodwayi) Breeding Guide
Overview
Hemigrammus rodwayi is an egg-scattering characin from lowland South America, recorded from Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru and Brazil, where it is abundant in coastal floodplains. The golden sheen of wild fish is attributed to a reaction to internal trematode parasites; aquarium-bred specimens lack this tint and appear silvery. As with most small Hemigrammus, the species provides no parental care, so eggs and fry must be protected from the adults.
Sexing
Females are fuller and more rounded in the belly, especially when carrying eggs. Males show a white leading edge on the anal fin and carry more red pigmentation than females.
Conditioning
Condition the breeding group on plenty of small live and frozen foods until females are visibly rounded with eggs. Fish may be conditioned in a group of around six of each sex or as separately fattened males and females selected for pairing.
Breeding Setup
- Spawning tank around 18 x 10 x 10 inches, kept very dimly lit.
- Soft, acidic water: pH 5.5-6.5 and hardness around 1-5 gH; peat filtration and reverse-osmosis water help.
- Temperature approximately 27-29 C (80-84 F).
- Clumps of fine-leaved plants such as java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh base that lets eggs fall out of reach of the adults.
- A gently bubbling air-powered sponge filter.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Pairs or small groups scatter non-guarded eggs among fine-leaved plants or through a protective mesh. Soft, acidic water and subdued light act as the main spawning triggers. The adults will eat the eggs given the chance and should be removed as soon as spawning is complete.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours, and the fry become free-swimming about 3-4 days later. The eggs and fry are light sensitive in the early stages, so the tank should be kept in darkness as far as possible. Start the free-swimming fry on infusoria-type foods, moving on to microworm and brine shrimp nauplii as they grow.