Serpae tetra
Hyphessobrycon serpae
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 17 gal (65 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina
- Family
- Characidae
Overview
Keep them in a group of at least six, and lean toward a larger group, because they are known fin-nippers and a bigger school keeps that behavior aimed at each other rather than tankmates. They hold the middle of the tank and want around 65 liters or more. Avoid slow, long-finned tankmates like bettas and angelfish. Feed flake, small pellets, and occasional live or frozen brine shrimp and bloodworms, in water from about pH 5.5 to 7.5 and the low to high 20s C.
In the wild
Serpae tetras come from the Amazon basin across Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina, in slow rivers, streams, and seasonal floodplains. They live among dense plants, submerged roots, and fallen leaves over soft, slightly acidic to neutral water. A planted tank with driftwood, some cover, and a darker substrate brings out their color and keeps them comfortable. Open swimming lanes between the planting let the group move.
Good to know
This is a characin in the family Characidae, reaching about 4.5 cm. It is known for a deep red body and a dark comma-shaped mark behind the gills. They are egg scatterers that give no parental care, with eggs hatching in roughly a day to a day and a half. Captive breeding is challenging. The species is not listed as threatened in its native range.
Did you know
Their fin-nipping is not random aggression so much as a side effect of a busy, peck-order-driven school. Keep them in tight, well-fed groups and the nipping mostly stays within the group, but a lone serpae or a tiny pair is far more likely to harass slower fish.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Flip Aquatics Quarantined shrimp, snails and nano fish
- Dan's Fish Freshwater fish, shrimp and snails with a live arrival guarantee
- Aqua Huna Freshwater fish, shrimp and plants with a three day live arrival guarantee
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Freshwater fish · Tetras · Beginner fish · Schooling fish · Community fish
Keeping Serpae tetra?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Mayan Tetra
Hyphessobrycon compressus1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Ornate tetra
Hyphessobrycon bentosi1.8 in (4.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Purple tetra
Hyphessobrycon metae1.8 in (4.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Lemon tetra
Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis2 in (5 cm)17 gal (65 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Peruvian tetra
Hyphessobrycon peruvianus1.6 in (4 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Red phantom tetra
Hyphessobrycon sweglesi1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)