Golden Tetra

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Widely distributed in the Amazon River basin (Brazil). Inhabits open waters in slow streams, quiet inlets, and floodplain lakes, generally avoiding areas with strong currents.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Golden Tetra / Levis Tetra (Hemigrammus levis). The body is silvery and elongated, similar in shape to a Buenos Aires Tetra but much less boisterous. The mouth is pointed slightly upwards to catch insects.

Social Behavior: Highly gregarious species and active swimmer. Tends to occupy the middle and upper layers of the water column. A school of 10 or more individuals is crucial: fewer numbers lead the specimens to hide.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Brilliant silvery base, often with delicate golden or greenish reflections under angled lighting. Features a dark tear-shaped spot on the caudal peduncle and a thin horizontal dark line. Females are noticeably broader.

Aquarium Setup: A standard 80 cm (32 inches) aquarium provides enough swimming space. Prefers open aquariums with floating plants. Being a lively fish, it requires wide central spaces clear of bulky rocks or wood.

Diet and Feeding: Micro-predator. Accepts any prepared food: floating micro-pellets, flakes, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Particularly useful for controlling the proliferation of small aquatic insects or mosquitoes in summer.

Water Quality: Decidedly adaptable and tolerant compared to most Hemigrammus. Withstands moderately hard waters (up to 12 GH) and neutral/slightly alkaline (up to 7.5 pH), making it perfect for novice aquarists.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Extremely peaceful and an excellent "dither fish" for dwarf Cichlids or shy Loricariids, as its incessant open-water swimming signals the absence of predators. Avoid pairing with predatory or very large fish.

Aquarium Reproduction: Highly prolific egg scatterers. Males drive females to spawn among thickets of fine plants at dawn. Parents will quickly eat the spawn if a bottom net is not used.

Risks and Diseases: Being very active and fast, they can be suddenly startled (for example, by the brutal turning on of lights) and hit the glass or jump out. Very resistant to classic diseases.