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Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characidae
📍 South America
Serpae tetras are vivid red fish with a distinctive black comma-shaped shoulder mark. They are hardy and bold, but known to be fin-nippers especially in small groups — keep 10 or more to redirect aggression within the school.
Care Guide
Diet
Serpae tetras are omnivores that thrive on a varied diet of high-quality flake food and small pellets as staples. Supplement 2-3 times weekly with frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp to enhance coloration and maintain health. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.
Behavior
Serpae tetras are bold, active schooling fish that spend most of their time in the mid-water column. They are semi-aggressive and notorious fin-nippers, especially in groups smaller than 10 individuals—keeping larger schools redirects aggression within the group rather than toward tank mates. They are hardy and adapt well to established tanks with moderate water flow.
Breeding
Breeding Serpae tetras in captivity is moderately difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), dense vegetation for egg scattering, and separation of parents immediately after spawning to prevent egg consumption. Fry are tiny and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro-pellets.
Tank Mates
Similar size and water requirements; schooling behavior complements Serpae tetras, though monitor for excessive nipping
Nocturnal algae eater that avoids conflict; provides tank cleaning without competing for resources
Can work if tank is large enough (20+ gallons), but Serpaes may nip at flowing fins; monitor closely
Small shrimp may be viewed as food; only suitable in heavily planted tanks where shrimp can hide effectively
Small, peaceful algae eaters that occupy bottom zones; their small size and behavior minimize conflict
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature to 28–29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or commercial ich treatment for 7–10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or disintegrating fin edges, white or gray coloration on fins, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce aggression by increasing school size, apply antibiotic medication if severe
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, curved spine, erratic swimming, white stripe along lateral line fades
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, euthanize if severely affected
Bacterial Infection
Red streaks on body, swollen abdomen, torn fins, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 50% water change, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain temperature at 25–26°C, improve tank hygiene
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – flake, pellets, bloodworms, daphnia
- lifespan
- 5–7 years
- max size
- 4.5 cm (1.8 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- school size
- 10+
- temperament
- Semi-aggressive; fin-nipper in small groups
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)