Though most specimens of this species are a dull, silvery gray in color, some fish develop a metalic gold coloration. In their natural habitat, these fish are prone to contracting a particular type of parasite which causes a reaction resulting in the yellow or gold coloration for which these fish are named. Yellow Tetras are native to the coastal regions of Brazil in South America. These fish can typically be found in lakes and streams but they also tend to inhabit floodplain tributaries and other areas under forest cover.