Serpae tetra

Overview

The serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) is a deep blood-red beauty with a dark shoulder spot and black-and-white fins — one of the most striking small tetras in the trade. It comes with a caveat: serpaes are known fin-nippers, most of all when kept in too small a group. Managed well, in a large shoal and with sensible tankmates, they’re hardy, long-lived and undemanding, which keeps them firmly in the easy bracket for experienced-enough keepers.

Tank & water

An easy fish to keep alive, but one that needs numbers to behave:

• A cycled tank of at least 60 litres — cycle the aquarium first, then stock. Check how many fish in an aquarium.
• Temperature 22–27 °C with a reliable heater.
• Soft to moderately hard water (pH 5.5–7.5); they’re adaptable. Gentle filtration suits them.
• A planted layout with open space — plants break up sightlines and reduce squabbling, while open water lets the shoal display.

Feeding

Serpaes are enthusiastic omnivores. A quality tropical flake or micro-pellet staple, with frozen or live daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm, keeps their red rich. Feed small amounts once or twice a day — well-fed serpaes are less inclined to nip. See the fish food hub and best fish food picks.

Tankmates

Choose robust, fast, short-finned companions — other active tetras like black skirt and lemon tetras, danios, barbs and corydoras. Avoid slow-moving or long-finned fish such as bettas, angelfish and guppies, whose fins are an irresistible target. Keep the serpae shoal large and their tankmates sturdy and the tank runs peacefully.

Set up a well-planted community with plenty of swimming room — our best aquarium for beginners guide helps — and serpaes are a bold, long-lived red shoal.