Key Features:

Distinctive Appearance: A tiny, delicate tetra species with a slender, almost reed-like body shape. It has a soft translucent silver-gold sheen, sometimes with faint reddish or amber tones depending on lighting and condition. Its understated coloration gives it a subtle, natural beauty rather than bold patterning.
Graceful Swimmer: A gentle, mid-to-upper water column swimmer that moves in small, loose schools. Its light, flickering motion creates a calm, natural stream-like effect in planted aquariums.
Behavior: Very peaceful and somewhat shy. Best observed in groups where it feels secure enough to display natural schooling behavior.

Care Requirements:

Tank Conditions:
Prefers a heavily planted aquarium with soft lighting and plenty of cover such as fine-leaved plants and driftwood. Ideal temperature is 73–79°F (23–26°C). Thrives in soft, slightly acidic to neutral water with very stable parameters due to its small size and sensitivity.

Diet:
Omnivorous with a preference for tiny foods. Eats micro pellets, crushed flakes, infusoria, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and other fine live or frozen foods. A varied, small-particulate diet is essential for healthy growth.

Compatibility:
Extremely peaceful and best suited to nano-community setups. Should be kept in groups of at least 8–10 individuals to reduce stress. Compatible with other small, non-aggressive species such as pygmy Corydoras, small rasboras, and dwarf shrimp.

Size and Growth:

Adult Size:
Typically reaches 1.5–2 cm, making it one of the smaller tetra species in the hobby.

Growth:
Growth is gradual and highly dependent on stable water quality and frequent feeding of appropriately sized foods. Juveniles are especially sensitive, but in optimal conditions they develop steady coloration and schooling behavior as they mature.