Golden Tetra

About

The golden tetra (Hyphessobrycon roseus) is a very small characid from the Maroni and Oyapock River basins of South America, where it lives alongside a diverse mix of similarly sized fish. Adults rarely exceed three centimeters, so their compact size is something to keep in mind when choosing tankmates. The body carries a soft rose flush with red fins and no black fin markings, and a well-defined oval humeral spot sits roughly halfway down the body depth. A useful detail when distinguishing it from lookalike species in the hobby. Interestingly, two color forms have circulated in the trade, one of which has small hooks on the fin rays, which adds a little confusion to its identification history. Behaviorally, this is one of the more relaxed tetras you can keep. Genuinely peaceful and at home with other small characins, hatchetfish, smaller catfishes, and non-aggressive cichlids. Buy a mixed-sex group of eight to ten or more; a larger school not only looks more natural but also keeps individuals calmer and more confident. It will scatter eggs freely in a mature tank and fry can occasionally appear on their own, though a dedicated breeding setup improves results considerably. Overall this is a forgiving choice for newer keepers who want a calm, sociable schooling fish with a bit of warmth to its coloration.