Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Family: Characidae • Origin: South America
Serpae Tetras are deep red with a black shoulder spot. Beautiful but nippy — best kept with robust, fast-moving tankmates.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
1.75"
Temperature
72-82°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
semi-aggressivebeginneromnivoreschoolingfin-nipper ⚠️
Care Tips
- • Keep in groups of 8+ to reduce nipping
- • Avoid all long-finned fish
- • Hardy and active
- • Best with other semi-aggressive species
- • Intense red coloration
Feeding: Flakes, pellets, frozen foods. Voracious eater.
Compatibility Notes: Known fin-nipper. Keep in groups of 8+ to spread aggression. Avoid long-finned fish.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–82°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- Yes ⚠️
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Known fin-nipper. Keep in groups of 8+ to spread aggression. Avoid long-finned fish.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
20 gallonsemi aggressive community
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Colombian Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+2.5"
Columbian Red Fin Tetra
Hyphessobrycon columbianus
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+2.5"
Buenos Aires Tetra
Hyphessobrycon anisitsi
64-82°FpH 6-820+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"