Gold Tetra

Hemigrammus rodwayi is an oddity amongst tetras. Captive bred individuals of this species are a drab silver colour, without much in the way of distinctive colour or pattern. However, wild-caught specimens from certain locals have been exposed to parasites, which cause a crystalline substance to build up in their skin, turning them a sparkling metallic gold! Of course, specimens in the aquarium trade are not suffering from parasitic infection; they simply have the colouration from exposure in the wild. These sparkly swimmers are a great gleam of colour for most peaceful community tanks.