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Colombian gold tetra

Hyphessobrycon saizi

Also known as Hyphessobrycon eos, Hemigrammus saizi

FreshwaterFish

Colombian gold tetra (Hyphessobrycon saizi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
1.4 in
3.5 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Characidae
Origin
Colombian Amazon near Leticia

Overview

The Colombian gold tetra is a peaceful schooling fish for the middle of a soft-water community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The gold on wild Colombian gold tetras is triggered by a harmless larval parasite. The parasite makes the skin lay down extra guanine crystals. Captive-bred offspring hatch out plain silver, so the golden fish are always wild-caught.

Caring for the Colombian gold tetra

Keep Colombian gold tetras in a group of at least eight to ten, in 14 gal (54 L) or larger. Their golden sheen shows well in a group that size. Give them some planting, open swimming room, and a dark substrate with driftwood and leaf litter. Dim light brings out their color.

They need soft, gently stained water with low hardness, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Gentle flow and clean, well-filtered water keep the group healthy. Feed small foods, such as quality flake and micro pellets, with frequent frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp.

Colombian gold tetras are peaceful and suit calm tank mates of similar size. Other small tetras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids and corydoras all work. They can be spawned as egg scatterers, but it takes some effort.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon saizi is a characin of the family Characidae. It is traded under several names, including Hyphessobrycon eos and Hemigrammus saizi.

In the wild

The Colombian gold tetra comes from soft, gently acidic forest creeks of the Colombian Amazon near Leticia. These are the same clear and blackwater habitats that hold cardinal and red neon tetras.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Colombian gold tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Colombian gold tetra need?

A Colombian gold tetra needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Colombian gold tetra need?

A Colombian gold tetra is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a Colombian gold tetra eat?

A Colombian gold tetra eats small foods, such as quality flake and micro pellets. Give it frequent frozen or live daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp too.

How big does a Colombian gold tetra get?

An adult Colombian gold tetra reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).

Does a Colombian gold tetra need a group?

Yes. A Colombian gold tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Colombian gold tetra breed?

The Colombian gold tetra can be spawned as an egg scatterer, but it takes some effort.

Related species