Serpae tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
A bright red, hardy tetra with a notorious fin-nipping habit; needs a big group and no slow, long-finned tank mates.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.6 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 23 gallons
- Group
- 12+
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Flakes, micro pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia
- Origin
- South America
- Hardier than95%
- Bigger than21%
- Calmer than28%
Water: their range vs yours
Serpae tetra tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cardinal tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Glowlight tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- KribensisGets along in shared water.Good mates
- MollyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusSerpae tetra nips fins; Otocinclus is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Cherry shrimpSerpae tetra nips fins; Cherry shrimp is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Amano shrimpSerpae tetra nips fins; Amano shrimp is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Blood parrot cichlidSerpae tetra nips fins; Blood parrot cichlid is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Bristlenose plecoSerpae tetra nips fins; Bristlenose pleco is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Serpae tetra.Risky
- Fancy guppySerpaes nip guppy tails.Avoid
- BettaSerpaes shred betta fins.Avoid
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Serpae tetra: prey body depth 0.9 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Serpae tetra: prey body depth 0.9 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Serpae tetra: prey body depth 0.9 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Serpae tetra: prey body depth 0.9 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for serpae tetras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 4 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 2.11 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 1.80 BU
- Min. water
- 72 L net
- Min. footprint
- 80 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 12+ (best 15)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- notorious
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Hyphessobrycon eques · FishBase: Hyphessobrycon eques
Care notes
Serpae tetras come from South America and are tough, easy and vividly coloured. Males spar constantly within the group, and a long-finned form is also sold.
Keep twelve or more in at least a 20 gallon tank with a 31-inch footprint; small groups and cramped tanks make the nipping worse. Livebearers, cichlids, bettas and gouramis are all at risk.
Questions
What size tank does a serpae tetra need?
At least 23 gallons (72 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.6 inches without fins.
How many serpae tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 12, ideally 15 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do serpae tetras need?
72–79 °F, pH 5–7.5 and 1–15 dGH. Serpae tetras come from South America.
How long do serpae tetras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with serpae tetras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Panda corydoras, Tiger barb and Black neon tetra. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.