Name that tetra!

I cycled my 75 gallon over 8 years ago with a school of relatively cheaply priced but attractive silvery tetras--but for the life of me I just can't remember what they are called! I still have one of the originals, although he's short an eye now and makes half-hearted attempts to school with my pearl danios. I really like him (I also have no clue of the sex) and would like to get more. All the research I've been doing points to it actually being a gold tetra, and that the gold sheen is gone now because of the fact that he's been in my tank for over 8 years and is no longer infested by parasites. Any ideas?

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on October 21, 2011 at 4:49pm

Could be green neon tetras. I saw them in one of Amano's tanks once and thought "Wow, those are great!". They looked amazing schooling in an Iwagumi type setup. I think if you Youtube some Amano tanks you might find them.

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on October 21, 2011 at 4:52pm

Well I just did a quick google and they are definately NOT green neon tetra. I think you are right, gold tetra.

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Permalink Reply by Cristina Green on October 21, 2011 at 4:54pm

Haha, I was going to say, I just did a quick google as well and he's definitely NOT a green neon tetra. Although he does reflect the anubias in the photos and appear green tinged.

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Permalink Reply by 2apes2gp667wr on October 22, 2011 at 11:30am

Oh that green is a reflection. I think if they had that in their coloring it would be cool.

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Permalink Reply by Cristina Green on October 22, 2011 at 7:07pm

Yeah, it'd be pretty super if they looked like that always.

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Permalink Reply by joey c on October 22, 2011 at 3:10pm

for sure it is a gold tetra. i have a large school in one of my aquariums. i know the gold can fade, but i thought the red above and below the black dot on the tail stayed. mine are about a year old. i hear if you put a few more in there they will retain their gold luster. when stressed, or in a too small a school they lose the gold and become silver to even transparent.

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Permalink Reply by Cristina Green on October 22, 2011 at 7:13pm

Hrmm, I don't recall there ever being red dots on the tail. But then again, 8 years is a long time. :) I think he has a bit of red on the upper rim of his remaining eye, though. I always thought that the gold luster was from a non-harmful parasite that wild caught gold tetras harbored. Either way, I'd like to get more of him. Thanks, fellas!

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Permalink Reply by joey c on October 22, 2011 at 9:52pm

that is correct, the parasite is what they belive gives off it's goldish sheen. however, i have read that the parasite never leaves, and that if you put wild caught with tank breed ones the tank breed will also go gold.