Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
Also known as Red Minor Tetra, Callistus Tetra
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A deep red, lively tetra that is much feistier than it looks. Serpaes are known fin nippers, especially in small groups or cramped tanks, so buy a large group and give them room. Keep them with fast, robust fish rather than anything slow or long-finned.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 19 US gal
- Footprint
- 31 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 68–82 °F
- pH
- 5–7.5
- Hardness
- 1–15 dGH
- Swim zone
- Mid-Water
- Min group
- 12 or more
- Lifespan
- About 5 years
Serpae Tetra tank mates and swim zone
Mid-Water
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Corydoras aeneus
Corydoras paleatus
Corydoras panda
Corydoras aeneus (albino)
Pangio kuhlii
Sewellia lineolata
Xiphophorus maculatus
Serpae Tetra is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Platy. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Poecilia sphenops
Serpae Tetra is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Molly. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Serpae Tetra is a boisterous fin nipper and a poor match for slower fish like Bolivian Ram. Only try this with a large group in a long tank.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Bristlenose Pleco is much larger than Serpae Tetra and may frighten or even eat it.
Boraras brigittae
Serpae Tetra is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Chili Rasbora.
Danio margaritatus
Serpae Tetra is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Celestial Pearl Danio.
Poecilia reticulata
Serpae Tetra is a known fin nipper and will shred the long, flowing fins of Fancy Guppy.
Poecilia wingei
Serpae Tetra is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like Endler's Livebearer.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as Serpae Tetra.
Serpae Tetra feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed flakes or pellets twice a day in small amounts to reduce nipping.
- Add frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp for rich red color.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Sexually mature females are noticeably rounder in the body and a little larger than males.
Serpae Tetra care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 12 fish so they feel secure.
- Never keep them with long-finned fish such as bettas, guppies or angelfish. They will nip.
- A small group is the main cause of nipping, so never buy just a few.
- Do not overcrowd the tank, because tight spaces make their sparring far worse.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons.
Serpae Tetra tank setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 19 US gal (72 L), 80 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Serpae Tetra. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
None of the tanks we recommend is big enough for this species yet. See Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29? for what to look for.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Serpae Tetra, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Serpae Tetra's temperature range.
None of the kits we recommend fits Serpae Tetra yet. See Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For for what to look for.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 68–82 °F (20–28 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29. Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateDecor is not critical; a dark substrate shows its colour best, and sand suits a natural look.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorLive plants, wood that forms shady spots and dried leaves suit it.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Serpae Tetra
We have not found a store that sells Serpae Tetra under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Serpae Tetra FAQ
What size tank do Serpae Tetras need?
Our sourced minimum is 19 US gallons (72 liters), with a footprint of 80 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Serpae Tetras should I keep?
Keep at least 12 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Serpae Tetras?
Good matches on our list include Bronze Corydoras, Peppered Corydoras and Panda Corydoras. Avoid Chili Rasbora and Celestial Pearl Danio.
How long do Serpae Tetras live?
Care guides report about 5 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
How do I stop serpae tetras nipping?
Keep a large group, give them plenty of space, and choose fast, short-finned tank mates. Their nipping is usually aimed at each other when numbers are high enough.
Serpae Tetra facts and sources
- Family
- Characidae
- Native to
- Amazon basin and Paraguay
- Adult size
- 1.6 in (4 cm)
- Temperament
- Semi-Aggressive
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Any
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Will Eat Shrimp
- Fin nipping
- High
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.