Identify This Fish?

[depuyc]

First thank you for having this place, it has been on of my go to's for research. Recently at my LFS I was getting some madagascar rainbows and in the same tank was a fish I didnt recognize. Long story short they didnt either, it came with the madagascars and I got an ok price on it. Attached is some pictures, it is about 2.5 - 3" long, golden green on top shading to a silver belly. The fins are what is different, the tail of the body is a black triangle where it meets the rear fin, from there it turns to white then translucent with two hints of red mix inbetween the black and white. The top fin is white at the base to translucent as it goes up. It seems completely peaceful, hangs in one spot of the tank for days now though every few minutes it runs a short or long lap around the tank before returning to the same spot. It will sometimes school with my various rainbows but not for long. It does not eat algae or off the bottom, it will eat flake but often spits the pieces out as fast as they go in. I have had him about 3 days now and he doesnt seem to be losing any weight even though I dont see him eat much. We think he is a form of tetra but my searching does not give me any hints as to what kind and he is much larger than any tetra I am personally familiar with.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I think it’s a head and tail light tetra.

 

[Retired Viking]

Possibly a gold tetra

 

[JuiceBox52]

Looks like a gold tetra to me too

 

[depuyc]

Thank you. I think the gold tetra looks like a strong contender. Looking briefly they show as growing less than two inches. I spent awhile today holding a tape measure up to the tank and this one is close to three inches, slightly longer than one of my juvenile Madagascar rainbows. Do the golds get that big?

 

[Retired Viking]

I have had several types of tetras and have seen golden tetras at the LFS but do not know how big they get. Sorry

 

[Colin_T]

Thank you. I think the gold tetra looks like a strong contender. Looking briefly they show as growing less than two inches. I spent awhile today holding a tape measure up to the tank and this one is close to three inches, slightly longer than one of my juvenile Madagascar rainbows. Do the golds get that big?

no.

It could be one of the African tetras. Unfortunately I don't have my books anymore otherwise I would be able to tell you exactly what is was.

 

[Retired Viking]

Whatever he is he has a nice home, with plenty of plastic plants. Good looking tank. I would suggest in the future you consider live plants. They help improve the water quailty. There are several easy to care for plants like Anacharis and Water Sprite that look good and you can let float or just plant into the gravel. They absorb what they need from the water.

 

[depuyc]

Thank you for the tip on African tetras, I see some possibilities there and am researching them.

The plants is a future endeavor, still researching it before I commit.