All fish / Characidae

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon eques

Also known as serpae tetra, serpa tetra, red minor tetra, callistus tetra, jewel tetra, blood tetra, long fin serpae tetra, serpae, ปลาเตตร้าเซอร์เป้, tetra serpae, セルフィン・テトラ, ブラッドフィン・テトラ

A small, deep-bodied tetra with a rich red body, a black shoulder mark and a black dorsal fin edged in white. It is hardy, cheap and very colourful, so it is a common choice for lively planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

4 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and small pellets, plus frozen or live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 7 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon, Guaporé and Paraguay river basins in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina

Breeding

An egg-scattering species that spawns among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, with no parental care. Breeding is fairly easy in a separate soft, slightly acidic tank, but the adults should be removed afterwards because they eat the eggs.

Good to know

Hyphessobrycon serpae is a synonym; the valid name is Hyphessobrycon eques. It is a well-known fin nipper, so keep it in a decent-sized group and away from long-finned fish such as bettas, guppies and angelfish.