Serpae Tetra

Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon eques

The Serpae Tetra is a colorful South American schooling fish known for its deep red-to-orange body, contrasting black markings, and dark fins. Their bold coloration and active swimming behavior make a properly sized school stand out especially well in planted community aquariums.

Serpae Tetras are hardy and adaptable, but they can be more assertive than many other common tetras. They are known for occasional fin-nipping, particularly when maintained in groups that are too small. Keeping a larger school helps distribute their attention among themselves and encourages more natural social behavior. Slow-moving or long-finned tankmates such as Bettas should generally be avoided.

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Active / Schooling / Semi-Aggressive
Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons recommended
Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 5.0–7.5
Diet: Omnivore
Recommended Group Size: 8–10 or more

Recommended Setup: A planted aquarium with plenty of open swimming room and areas of cover is ideal. Driftwood, live plants, and broken lines of sight can help provide structure while giving the school sufficient room to remain active. Maintain a good-sized group to help reduce fin-nipping behavior, and avoid slow-moving fish with long or elaborate fins. Feed a varied diet of quality flakes or small pellets supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.

Please Note: Serpae Tetras naturally vary in size, sex, and coloration. Juveniles and recently transported fish may initially display lighter coloration, with stronger red tones developing as they mature and become established. Male and female fish are selected at random, and a specific sex or ratio cannot be guaranteed. The fish you receive may not look exactly like the individual pictured.

All livestock from Felipe’s Fish is carefully selected and prepared for safe transport. Please review our shipping and Live Arrival Guarantee policies before ordering.