Gold Tetra

The gold tetra, also called the brass tetra or the golden tetra, is often found in the trade as an imported tank-raised species. Unfortunately, the bred tetras simply do not have color. We import wild gold tetras from Brazil, where they tend to have the most color. Size can vary within one school of fish, since they are wild-caught, but these fish will hold their magnificent 24-karat color. Actually, the color shade varies depending upon where they are caught; hence sometimes they are gold, sometimes brass. These are peaceful fish that will not even harm nano tank species but are fast enough to be kept with small and mid-size cichlids.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them plants along the back and sides, open swimming space in front and a dark substrate, which brings out their color. Keep a lid on the tank, since tetras can jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They get along with most peaceful community fish of similar size, such as other tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, dwarf cichlids, gouramis and livebearers.

Good to know: Tetras feel safer and show better color in a group. A larger school also spreads out any chasing.