Serpae Tetra care guide
Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 22-27 °C, pH 5.5-7.5.
Overview
The Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) is a deep-bodied characid from the Paraguay, Guaporé and Amazon basins. It is identified by a coppery-red to crimson body with a black comma-shaped shoulder spot and contrasting black dorsal fin edged in white.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Hyphessobrycon
- Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon eques
- Common synonyms: Red Minor Tetra
Habitat
Wild populations occur in slow-flowing tributaries, oxbow lakes and flooded margins of the Paraguay, Guaporé and middle Amazon river systems in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia, often among dense aquatic vegetation and leaf litter.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 3-5 cm
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- School size: ≥6 individuals
Diet
An omnivore that consumes small invertebrates, worms and plant material in the wild. In aquaria it accepts flakes, micro-pellets and a variety of small live or frozen foods.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive schooling species notorious for fin-nipping. Keep a group of at least six (ideally ten or more) to disperse aggression and avoid combinations with long-finned or slow-moving tankmates such as Angelfish, Betta or fancy guppies.
Breeding
An egg-scatterer. Spawning is induced by soft, acidic water and warmer temperatures; eggs are scattered over fine-leaved plants. Adults should be removed after spawning, as they consume their own eggs.