Silver Tetra

About

The silver tetra (Gymnocorymbus bondi) is a relatively uncommon find in the hobby, which is a bit of a shame given how well-suited it is to a community setup. Native to the Orinoco River basin in South America, it's a small, active shoaler that spends most of its time in the company of its own kind. Juveniles are genuinely attractive fish, showing reddish coloration in their unpaired fins, but that color fades as they grow and adults are fairly subdued in appearance. So don't expect the look of a juvenile to stick around. Like many tetras, it does best in groups of at least six to eight individuals; smaller numbers tend to produce shy, withdrawn fish that don't show natural behavior. It gets along well with similarly-sized peaceful South Americans, other tetras, Corydoras, smaller plecos, but has a reputation for nipping fins, so long-finned tankmates like bettas, guppies, or angelfish are best avoided. Despite being listed as intermediate care, it's a hardy and forgiving fish that a careful beginner could manage well. It's occasionally sold under the name G. socolofi, which is now considered a synonym. Breeding is achievable in a dedicated spawning tank, though adults will consume their own eggs given any opportunity.