The serpae tetra, commonly known as the red tetra, is a vibrant tropical freshwater fish that captivates aquarists with its stunning appearance. Resembling a small, moving flame, these fish bring a dynamic energy to any aquarium. Their schooling behavior creates a lively display, making it hard to look away. Ideal for both novice and experienced fish keepers, serpae tetras thrive in community tanks, provided they have ample swimming space and compatible tank mates.
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Habitat in the wild
The serpae tetra, scientifically known as Hyphessobrycon eques, is a captivating member of the Characidae family, one of the largest and most diverse families of freshwater fish. This family is renowned among aquarium hobbyists for its vibrant colors and peaceful nature.
Native to South America, serpae tetras are commonly found in the Orinoco and Amazon River basins, extending from Guyana to the Paraguay River in Brazil. They thrive in slow-moving or still waters, such as streams and ponds, often in heavily vegetated areas filled with submerged plants and driftwood, which provide essential hiding spots. These fish prefer to stay near the water’s surface, feeding on insects, larvae, and plant matter.
In their natural habitat, serpae tetras flourish in soft to moderately hard water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, typically between 72°F and 82°F (22°C to 28°C). As shoaling fish, they feel more secure in groups, forming schools for safety and efficient foraging. When kept in aquariums, it’s essential to replicate these conditions to ensure their health and well-being.
Description
Size
Serpae tetras are relatively small fish, typically reaching a length of about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) as adults. This measurement includes the entire body, from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail fin. Their compact size makes them well-suited for a variety of aquarium setups, allowing them to thrive in community tanks alongside other small, peaceful fish. Their small stature also means they can navigate through dense vegetation in aquariums, mimicking their natural habitat.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of serpae tetras ranges from 3 to 5 years. However, with proper care and optimal conditions, some individuals may live slightly longer, while others might have shorter lifespans. Factors that influence longevity include water quality, diet, tank size, stress levels, and genetics. To promote health and longevity in your serpae tetras, it is crucial to provide a well-maintained aquarium with stable water parameters, a balanced diet rich in both plant and animal matter, and companionship with at least six individuals of their own species to encourage natural schooling behavior.
Body Characteristics
The body of the serpae tetra features an olive-brown back, with striking red sides that can vary in intensity depending on environmental conditions and diet. A small black spot may be present on the opercle, although it can sometimes be absent. The dorsal fin is typically black, occasionally adorned with white edges or just at the tips. The remaining fins exhibit a vibrant blood-red color, except for the flesh fin, which remains uncolored. This coloration not only enhances their visual appeal but also plays a role in social interactions and mating displays.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon eques |
| Common Name | Serpae Tetra; red tetra; red minor tetra; callistus tetra |
| Family | Characidae |
| Native Region | South America (Orinoco and Amazon basins) |
| Adult Size | Up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) |
| Lifespan | 3 to 5 years |
| Behavior | Shoaling, generally peaceful but can be semi-aggressive towards similar-looking species |
| Temperament | Peaceful with proper tankmates, avoid keeping with long-finned or slow-moving fish |
| Coloration | Vibrant red with a black spot near the caudal fin |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons for a small group |
| Water Parameters | Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C) |
| pH: 6.0 to 7.5 | |
| Hardness: Soft to moderately hard | |
| Diet | Omnivorous – High-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods |
| Habitat | Slow-moving or still waters with dense vegetation, submerged plants, driftwood, and leaf litter |
| Tank Setup | Heavily planted with hiding spots and open swimming areas, dark substrate, and driftwood |
| Schooling Behavior | Prefers to live in groups of at least six for security and stress reduction |
| Compatibility | Suitable for community aquariums with peaceful tankmates of similar size |
| Breeding | Egg-scattering species, separate adults after spawning to protect eggs and fry |
| Special Considerations | Avoid keeping with fin-nipping or aggressive tankmates, provide good water quality and perform regular water changes |
Difficulties in keeping
Serpae tetra care isn’t difficult since the fish isn’t a demanding one.
It lives in small tanks and it’s not a fish that is hard to be kept in aquarium. Although the serpae tetra is easy in care it can become a problem itself when chasing and nipping the fins of slow tank mates. Because of that you should be careful when choosing tetra tank mates.
This is a schooling fish and it feels better in a school. There should be at least 6 fishes in it and the fish can be kept together with some other fishes of the same size and activity level. The drawback of keeping tetras in a tank is their a bit troublesome temper – they can haunt and nip the fins of more slow tank mates.
Care and keeping in a tank
Tank Size
The recommended tank size for a group of serpae tetras is a minimum of 20 gallons (about 75 liters). These fish are active swimmers, and providing ample space is crucial for their well-being and overall health. A larger tank enhances swimming room and offers a more stable environment with easier maintenance. Since serpae tetras are schooling fish, they thrive in groups of at least six individuals, so if you plan to keep a larger school, consider a correspondingly larger tank.
In an aquarium, serpae tetras typically occupy the middle and bottom water layers. They do well in community tanks that are at least 24 inches (60 cm) long, especially with other active, peaceful species. Creating a well-planted environment with hiding spots and open swimming areas will replicate their natural habitat, allowing them to explore and find refuge when needed.
Water Parameters
Optimal water conditions for serpae tetras include:
- Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C). They thrive in a warm, tropical environment.
- pH Level: 6.0 to 7.5. Slightly acidic to neutral water is preferred, and stable pH levels are essential.
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard, with a general hardness (GH) of 4 to 12 dGH and carbonate hardness (KH) of 2 to 8 dKH.
- Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Aim for low to non-detectable levels. Ammonia and nitrite should always be at 0 ppm, while nitrate levels should ideally be below 20 ppm, maintained through regular water changes.
A reliable filtration system is vital for maintaining water quality by removing waste and toxins. Adequate aeration and water movement help provide oxygen and stabilize conditions. It’s crucial to avoid sudden changes in water parameters, as these can stress fish and lead to health issues. When performing water changes, try to match the new water’s temperature and parameters closely to the existing aquarium water. Regular testing and monitoring are essential for creating an optimal environment for your serpae tetras.
Diet
Serpae tetras are omnivorous, enjoying a varied diet that includes both animal and plant matter. In the wild, they feed on small insects, crustaceans, plant material, and algae. To ensure their health and vibrancy in an aquarium, it’s important to replicate their natural diet. Due to their small mouths, choose appropriately sized foods.
Suitable Foods for a Balanced Diet:
- Algae-Based Foods: Spirulina-based flakes or pellets can fulfill their herbivorous tendencies and provide additional nutrients.
- High-Quality Flakes or Pellets: Look for commercial fish flakes or pellets formulated for tropical fish, containing a mix of protein sources, vitamins, and minerals.
- Live or Frozen Foods: Offer occasional treats of live or frozen foods like brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, and mosquito larvae to provide essential nutrients.
- Vegetable Matter: Supplement their diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, or peas, chopped into small pieces for easy consumption.
Tank mates
Serpae tetra is considered to be a proper fish to keep in community tanks, but it’s not exactly so. It’s true only if the neighbors with large and active fishes. The fishes that are smaller than tetra will be haunted and pressured.
The same is about any slow fishes with large fins, for example bettas or angelfish – their long fins will be constantly nipped, till the fish gets sick or dies. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose tank mates that can coexist peacefully with serpae tetras and are not overly sensitive to fin nipping.
However, if serpae tetra is in a school, its temper becomes more calm regarding other fishes in a tank, since they have an hierarchy inside the school and the focus of the fish attention gets shifted onto their family. At that males pretend to fight with each other, however they don’t do any harm to each other.
Here are some suitable tank mates that are generally compatible with serpae tetras:
- Harlequin Rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
- Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)
- Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
- Glowlight Tetras (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)
- Black Neon Tetras (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
- Cardinal Tetras (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
- Rummy Nose Tetras (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
- Dwarf Gouramis (Trichogaster lalius or Trichogaster chuna)
- Sparkling Gouramis (Trichopsis pumila)
- Celestial Pearl Danios (Danio margaritatus)
- White Cloud Mountain Minnows (Tanichthys albonubes)
- Dwarf Rasboras (Boraras spp.)
- Endler’s Livebearers (Poecilia wingei)
- Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
- Platies (Xiphophorus spp.)
- Corydoras Catfish (Corydoras spp. – pygmy cory, panda cory, adolfoi catfish)
- Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus spp.)
- Bristlenose Plecos (Ancistrus spp.)
Gender differences: male vs female
Differentiating between male and female serpae tetras can be challenging, as the differences are often subtle and more pronounced during the breeding season. Here are some characteristics to help identify their sex:
- Body Shape: Female serpae tetras typically have a rounder and fuller body compared to males. This difference becomes more noticeable as the fish mature.
- Color Intensity: Males usually display deeper, more vibrant red hues, while females tend to have a less intense coloration. This can be particularly evident in their red markings.
- Fin Size and Shape: Males often have longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins, especially during the breeding season. In contrast, females have shorter, rounder fins.
- Behavior: During the breeding period, males exhibit more active chasing and courtship behaviors, while females may be observed searching for suitable spots to lay their eggs.
Keep in mind that these distinctions may not be easily noticeable, especially in young or immature fish. The most reliable way to determine sex is by observing behavior during the breeding season or noting physical changes as they reach sexual maturity.
Breeding Serpae Tetras
Serpae tetras reach reproductive maturity at around 8 to 10 months of age. To breed them successfully, you will need a dedicated spawning tank with the following specifications:
- Tank Size: A spawning tank should have a minimum base area of 700 cm² (approximately 108 square inches).
- Setup: Include a protective grid and a bush of small plants in the tank to provide hiding spots for the female and a place for eggs to adhere.
- Lighting: Use dim and soft lighting to create a comfortable environment for breeding.
- Water Conditions:
- Temperature: Maintain a temperature between 24°C and 28°C (75°F to 82°F).
- Water Hardness: General hardness should not exceed 6° dGH, and carbonate hardness should be kept below 1° dKH.
- pH Level: Aim for a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
- Water Depth: The water level should be about 12 to 15 cm high. It is advisable to use water treated with peat to create a suitable breeding environment.
Preparing the Water:
To prepare the spawning tank, add a concentrated decoction of peat into dechlorinated water, monitoring the pH levels. Let the mixture settle for about a week, or even up to a month, to ensure stability.
Spawning Process
- Tank Setup: After preparing the water, fill the spawning tank with two-thirds of this water mixture, adding some fresh water if desired.
- Introducing Fish: In the evening, introduce one female (with a rounded abdomen) and two males into the tank. Gradually raise the water temperature to encourage spawning.
- Breeding Timing: Breeding often occurs before sunrise, finishing as the sun rises.
- Post-Spawning Care: After approximately 72 hours, feed the fish bloodworms. The female will lay about 200 to 300 grayish eggs, which will adhere to the plant leaves or settle on the bottom of the tank.
- After Spawning: Remove the plants and protective grid from the tank after spawning. Keep the tank shaded to protect the eggs from direct light, and provide gentle aeration.
- Hatching: Avoid touching the eggs, as they are very sensitive. The eggs will hatch within 24 to 30 hours, and the fry will begin swimming after 3 to 5 days. At this point, you can turn on the aeration and lights.
Feeding Fry
Start the fry on a diet of rotifers and infusorians, which are suitable for their small mouths. Gradually transition them to larger foods as they grow.