Family: Characidae
Golden Tetra — a Characidae from South America. Reaches 4–5.8 cm; keep at 24–28 °C.
Hemigrammus rodwayi, a member of the family Characidae, comes from South America, where it inhabits blackwater streams and flooded forest. Mostly peaceful; larger species predatory and omnivore with carnivorous tilt, it grows to 4–5.8 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 24–28 °C range. Other Hemigrammus species in our database include Hemigrammus bleheri, Hemigrammus ocellifer, Hemigrammus rhodostomus.
Intermediate difficulty. Mostly peaceful; larger species predatory; strong shoalers; keep in groups of 8 or more.
Aim for 24–28 °C. Heater for stable tropical warmth; 24–28 °C recorded range.
Full size is 4–5.8 cm. Minimum tank: 40 L, with open swimming space along its bottom-dwelling habits.
Omnivore with carnivorous tilt. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Yes, with care. Mostly peaceful; larger species predatory — pair it with Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs and skip Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Native to South America, where it lives in blackwater streams and flooded forest. Still to gentle current; Moderate.
Low escape risk, but a lid is cheap insurance.
In the aquarium: egg-scatterer among fine plants. Subtle; females fuller-bodied.