The Golden Topminnow is a beautiful freshwater fish that is perfect for beginner aquarists. They are very easy to care for and are very tolerant of different water conditions.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Golden Topminnow care. You’ll learn about their size, diet, lifespan, and more!
Table of contents
Species overview
Golden Toppminnows (FPXA-002) are a species of freshwater fish that are native to the United States.
They are found in the Mississippi River basin and have also been introduced to the Great Lakes region.
In the wild, they prefer slow-moving waters with a lot of vegetation. This provides them with places to hide and forage for food.
Golden Toppminnows are peaceful fish that can be kept with a wide variety of tank mates. They are not aggressive and will not bother other fish in the tank.
The main draw of the Golden Toppminnow is its beautiful golden color. This makes them a popular choice for freshwater aquariums.
Appearance
The Golden Toppminnow is an eye-catching freshwater fish that is sure to add some color to your aquarium. As you might expect from their name, these fish have a bright golden coloration that is sure to stand out.
This color is not uniform however. The Golden Toppminnow has a light brown or tan color on their back that fades into the gold. The fins on this fish are also a bit darker than the body, usually being a brown or black.
The Golden Toppminnow has a long and thin body shape that is similar to a lot of other minnow species. They have a long dorsal fin that starts about two-thirds of the way back on their body. This fin is tall and thin, almost looking like half a shell.
The anal fin on this fish is also long and thin. It starts closer to the back of the fish than the dorsal fin does. The caudal fin is forked and symmetrical.
The Golden Toppminnow also has a long and thin snout. This snout is slightly upturned, giving them a bit of a “smiling” appearance.
Lifespan
The lifespan of the Golden Toppminnow is about 2-3 years. Once again, there are a number of factors that impact their life expectancy.
For starters. if these fish haven’t reproduced then their lifespan will usually be on the higher side of this range. That process can really take a toll on the fish.
The general level of care they receive obviously matters a great deal as well. Even though these are very hardy fish, they’ll obviously live longer in optimal conditions.
Size
The Golden Topminnow grows to a maximum length of just over 2 inches. However, most captive specimens only reach about 1.5 inches in length.
Tank
Tank Size
The recommended tank size for golden toppminnows is 10 gallons or larger. If you’re looking for a freshwater fish that can fit in an average-sized tank, this is a good option.
Water Parameters
The golden Toppminnow is a small African freshwater fish that is known for its peaceful nature and beautiful gold coloration. They are a perfect addition to any community aquarium and can do well in a wide range of water conditions.
While they are adaptable, it’s still important to maintain some consistency in their water parameters. Sudden changes can be stressful for them and lead to health problems.
Here are a few guidelines to help you create a healthy environment for your golden Toppminnow.
- Water temperature: 72 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- pH levels: 6.5 to 7.5
- Water hardness: 2 to 12 dGH
- Alkalinity Levels: 4-8 dKH
What To Put In Their Tank
Golden Toppminnows are another species of fish that don’t need too much in the way of fancy decorations. A simple setup with some plants and a few hiding spots will do just fine.
That being said, we recommend giving them a little more attention when it comes to the substrate. They’re known to be a bit of a finicky bunch when it comes to this and will often prefer something soft and sandy.
If you can manage it, we say go for it. If not, then a simple gravel substrate will suffice.
As for plants, there are a few different options you can go with. Golden Toppminnows are known to nibble on vegetation, but they’re not as destructive as some other species.
That being said, we recommend sticking with hardier plants like Hornwort or Water Wisteria.
You can also include some floating plants to help diffuse the light and create some shady areas in their tank. This will give them a place to hide if they ever feel the need.
Finally, we recommend adding a few pieces of driftwood or rocks. These will help create some additional hiding spots and give the inside of their tank a little more personality.
Common Diseases
The Golden Topminnow is a very hardy and disease-resistant fish. They are quite resilient to the usual suspects when it comes to freshwater fish diseases.
However, that doesn’t mean that they’re immune to everything. There are still a few potential illnesses that your fish could contract.
The most common one is Ich. This is a very contagious disease that can quickly spread through an entire tank. It’s marked by the presence of white spots on the body of the fish.
If you notice this, it’s important to act quickly. Ich can be treated, but it’s important to catch it early.
Other potential diseases include parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial infections. These are all fairly common in the fish world, but they’re not as common in Golden Topminnows.
As always, the best way to prevent your fish from getting sick is to maintain a clean and healthy tank. Provide them with high-quality water and a stable environment and they’ll be much less likely to contract an illness.
Behavior & Temperament
The golden toppminnow is a peaceful and social fish. It prefers to live in groups of five or more, so we recommend keeping at least that many in your aquarium.
These fish are relatively active and love to swim around. They’re often seen near the surface of the water and enjoy cruising through the plants.
Although they’re not the most shy fish, they can be a little jumpy. So, it’s important to have a tight-fitting lid on your aquarium.
When it comes to food, the golden toppminnow is not picky. It’ll eat just about anything you give it. This includes flakes, pellets, live food, and frozen food.
Tank Mates
Golden Toppminnows are peaceful, schooling fish that do well in community tanks. They’re not picky when it comes to tank mates and can get along with most species.
The main thing you’ll want to avoid is putting them with fish that are too small. Golden Toppminnows are voracious eaters and will eat anything they can fit in their mouth. This includes smaller fish, so it’s important to be mindful of that.
Other than that, there are tons of options when it comes to finding compatible tank mates. Some good choices include:
- Guppies
- Platies
- Mollies
- Swordtails
- Neon Tetras
- Cherry Shrimp
- Ghost Shrimp
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Corydoras Catfish
Breeding
The Golden Toppminnow is a beautiful little fish that’s easy to breed in captivity. This species is perfect for beginner fish breeders!
To start, you’ll need to set up a breeding tank. It should hold at least 5 gallons of water. The water should be on the cooler side, around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, add some live plants and a few hiding places. The plants are important because they help to keep the water quality high. Hiding places are necessary because Golden Toppminnows are pretty shy.
When ready, add two females for every male. Males are usually a bit larger and have more colorful fins.
Feed the fish a high-quality diet and change about 25 percent of the water every week.
The spawning process usually happens in the morning. The female will lay her eggs on the plants and the male will fertilize them. After that, the male will guard the eggs until they hatch.
Eggs usually hatch in about 3 days. When they do, remove the adults from the tank. The fry are too small to be eaten, but the adults may see them as a threat.
Feed the fry baby brine shrimp or other small live foods. You can also use a high-quality fry food.
Conclusion
The Golden Toppminnow is a beautiful, peaceful fish that is a great addition to any community tank. They are very easy to care for and are very tolerant of different water conditions.
The only thing to be aware of is that they are very shy fish and may not come out much if there are other, more boisterous fish in the tank.
Overall, we think the Golden Toppminnow is a great fish for both beginner and experienced aquarium owners alike.
