Golden Tetra (Hemigrammus rodwayi)
| Golden Tetra Hemigrammus rodwayi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Golden Tetra |
| Name Lat. | Hemigrammus rodwayi |
| Family | Characins |
| Family lat. | Characidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | N-South America |
| Habitat | Tributaries, ponds |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.5-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5.5 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 1-12 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.2" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 18-214 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the goldtetra is slow flowing rivers and streams and floodplains in the rainforests of Guyana, Suriname, Peru and Brazil.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have soft, slightly acidic water and partially dense planting that provides both shelter and swimming space. A dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves), shaded light (floating plants) and a weak current is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food offer consists of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia and tubifex, which is accepted without problems also in frozen form, supplemented with frozen food mixtures. Especially mysis and mosquito larvae should not be missing. In addition, they also need some vegetable food, such as crushed peas, mashed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food (flakes, granules) with high vegetable content (spirulina, kelp)
A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are peaceful and well tolerated schooling fish suitable for any community tank. At least 5, but preferably much more Goldtetra should be kept together.
In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements to the water condition and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The anal fin is white in the front of the male and more reddish in color than the more plump female.
Reproduction and breeding
They are free spawners that spawn in soft, slightly acidic peat water, usually among fine-textured plants, and do not engage in brood care. The larvae hatch after 24-36 hours and swim freely after 3-4 days.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (e.g. Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
Their natural coloration is greenish-silver. Only wild-caught fish that have been attacked by skin parasites (trematodes) have a metallic gold coloration. In response to these parasites, guanine is formed in the skin of the fish, resulting in the magnificent gold coloration. The gold coloration cannot be inherited, so offspring are greenish-silver. There is no risk of infection for other fish.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF