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.
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.