How big does Serpae Tetra get?

Serpae Tetra reaches an adult standard length of 3–4 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Serpae Tetra need?

22–27 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 5 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.

What is the smallest tank for Serpae Tetra?

At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.

What is Serpae Tetra like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can Serpae Tetra be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Serpae Tetra and Angelfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 11Freshwater

Serpae Tetra红十字

Hyphessobrycon eques · Characidae

A red shoulder patch with black-edged fins: handsome, and famous for nipping long fins.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 11 · Serpae Tetra Hyphessobrycon eques

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 红十字
Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon eques
Family: Characidae
Origin: Amazon and Paraguay river basins, South America
Adult size: 3–4 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Beginner
School size: ≥ 6
Min. tank: 60 L
Min. length: 60 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.22–27 °C

pH5.5–7.5

Hardness2–12 dGH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1A notorious fin nipper, so house it with fast, short-finned species.
2At eight or more, internal chasing largely replaces attacks on tankmates.
3Color peaks at 22-27 °C in softer water; hard water dulls the red.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Serpae Tetra against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Serpae Tetra get?: Serpae Tetra reaches an adult standard length of 3–4 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Serpae Tetra need?: 22–27 °C, pH 5.5–7.5, 2–12 dGH. At 5 °C wide it is one of the more forgiving ranges.
What is the smallest tank for Serpae Tetra?: At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is a schooling fish: keep at least 6 together. Fewer than that and it hides, loses colour, and aggression has nowhere to spread.
What is Serpae Tetra like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is omnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can Serpae Tetra be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Serpae Tetra and Angelfish is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.