Gold Tetra - Hemigrammus rodwayi 1cm

The Hemigrammus rodwayi, commonly known as the Gold Tetra or Brass Tetra, is a captivating freshwater fish native to the slow-moving rivers and floodplains of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Peru, and Brazil.

These small, peaceful characins are renowned for their stunning metallic gold or brassy colouration, which shimmers beautifully under aquarium lighting. Interestingly, this golden sheen is actually caused by a harmless parasite (trematode cysts) in wild specimens that triggers the fish to deposit guanine in its skin as a defence mechanism—captive-bred specimens often lack this intense gold and appear more silvery-yellow, though they remain attractive fish with subtle golden highlights and red-tipped fins.

Growing to a modest 4-5 centimetres in length, Gold Tetras are active schooling fish that add a touch of elegance and movement to any community aquarium.

As with most tetras, Gold Tetras are highly social and must be kept in groups of six or more to thrive and display natural behaviour—solitary fish become stressed, pale, and reclusive.

In proper schools, they are lively and confident, occupying the middle to upper water levels where their metallic scales catch the light.

These peaceful fish are excellent community inhabitants, compatible with other small, non-aggressive species such as rasboras, Corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and other tetras.

Omnivorous by nature, they are unfussy eaters that readily accept quality flake foods and micro-pellets, though their colouration and health are best maintained with regular offerings of small live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms.

They appreciate a well-planted aquarium with dimmed lighting or floating plants to replicate their natural blackwater habitat, along with open swimming space.

With proper care including regular water changes and stable water parameters, Gold Tetras typically live 3-5 years, making them delightful, shimmering additions to peaceful community setups.