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[ARRIVED 7-MAR-2026] Serpae Tetra 2-4cm

Description

Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques)

Bright red schooling tetra with bold colour, active behaviour, and strong community presence

Quick Facts

  • Size: Approx. 4–5 cm adult
  • Tank Size: 60L+ recommended
  • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
  • Temperament: Semi-peaceful / active
  • Diet: Omnivore
  • Best Kept: Schools of 8+

Is this for you?

✔️ Good if:

  • You want a bright red schooling fish
  • You enjoy active mid-water movement
  • You keep larger community aquariums
  • You can maintain a proper school size

❌ Avoid if:

  • You keep slow long-fin fish like Bettas or Angels
  • You want a very gentle tetra species
  • You only plan to keep 2–3 fish
  • You keep timid nano fish that stress easily

Why this fish?

Serpae Tetras are known for their deep red body colour, dark shoulder marking, and constant schooling activity.

They bring strong contrast and movement to planted community aquariums and stand out well against greenery and darker hardscape.

When kept in proper groups, they display more natural behaviour and reduced aggression within the school.

Common mistakes

  • Keeping too few → increased fin nipping
  • Housing with slow long-fin fish
  • Mixing with very timid species
  • Overcrowding smaller aquariums
  • Expecting them to behave like ultra-peaceful tetras

Care made simple

  • Temperature: 22–28°C
  • pH: Approx. 6.0–7.5
  • Diet: Flake, pellets, frozen foods, live foods
  • Swimming Zone: Mid-water
  • Water: Stable, clean, moderately planted setup

Pair with

  • Corydoras catfish
  • Larger rasboras
  • Peaceful barbs
  • Robust community fish
  • Driftwood and planted aquascapes
NTA Insight:
Serpae Tetras are often labelled “aggressive,” but the real issue is usually poor group size. When kept in larger schools, they focus more on each other and become much better community fish.

FAQ

Are Serpae Tetras aggressive?

They can be fin nippy, especially when kept in small numbers. Larger groups help reduce this behaviour.

How many should I keep?

At least 8 or more is recommended for natural schooling behaviour.

Can they live with Bettas?

Not recommended. Serpae Tetras may nip long fins and stress slower fish.

Are they beginner-friendly?

Yes, provided they are kept in suitable schools and community setups.

Do they work in planted tanks?

Yes. They look excellent in planted aquariums with open swimming space.

[ARRIVED 7-MAR-2026] Serpae Tetra 2-4cm

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50 in stock

$4.00


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    Description

    Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques)

    Bright red schooling tetra with bold colour, active behaviour, and strong community presence

    Quick Facts

    • Size: Approx. 4–5 cm adult
    • Tank Size: 60L+ recommended
    • Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
    • Temperament: Semi-peaceful / active
    • Diet: Omnivore
    • Best Kept: Schools of 8+

    Is this for you?

    ✔️ Good if:

    • You want a bright red schooling fish
    • You enjoy active mid-water movement
    • You keep larger community aquariums
    • You can maintain a proper school size

    ❌ Avoid if:

    • You keep slow long-fin fish like Bettas or Angels
    • You want a very gentle tetra species
    • You only plan to keep 2–3 fish
    • You keep timid nano fish that stress easily

    Why this fish?

    Serpae Tetras are known for their deep red body colour, dark shoulder marking, and constant schooling activity.

    They bring strong contrast and movement to planted community aquariums and stand out well against greenery and darker hardscape.

    When kept in proper groups, they display more natural behaviour and reduced aggression within the school.

    Common mistakes

    • Keeping too few → increased fin nipping
    • Housing with slow long-fin fish
    • Mixing with very timid species
    • Overcrowding smaller aquariums
    • Expecting them to behave like ultra-peaceful tetras

    Care made simple

    • Temperature: 22–28°C
    • pH: Approx. 6.0–7.5
    • Diet: Flake, pellets, frozen foods, live foods
    • Swimming Zone: Mid-water
    • Water: Stable, clean, moderately planted setup

    Pair with

    • Corydoras catfish
    • Larger rasboras
    • Peaceful barbs
    • Robust community fish
    • Driftwood and planted aquascapes
    NTA Insight:
    Serpae Tetras are often labelled “aggressive,” but the real issue is usually poor group size. When kept in larger schools, they focus more on each other and become much better community fish.

    FAQ

    Are Serpae Tetras aggressive?

    They can be fin nippy, especially when kept in small numbers. Larger groups help reduce this behaviour.

    How many should I keep?

    At least 8 or more is recommended for natural schooling behaviour.

    Can they live with Bettas?

    Not recommended. Serpae Tetras may nip long fins and stress slower fish.

    Are they beginner-friendly?

    Yes, provided they are kept in suitable schools and community setups.

    Do they work in planted tanks?

    Yes. They look excellent in planted aquariums with open swimming space.

    Live Arrival & Ordering FAQ

    Do you offer a live arrival guarantee?

    Yes. All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

    In the rare event of DOA, please contact us promptly with clear photos of the livestock in the original unopened bag.

    Please review our full DOA and store policies before purchase.

    Can you ship to all states in Australia?

    No. Due to state restrictions, we cannot ship livestock or live plants to WA and TAS.

    What should I check before ordering?

    Before placing an order, make sure:

    • Your tank is fully cycled and stable
    • Your aquarium has enough space for the species
    • Your current livestock are compatible in temperament, size, and requirements
    • Your water parameters, habitat, and temperature suit the species
    • You are not adding too many fish at once
    What should I expect when my fish arrives?

    It is normal for fish, shrimp, or snails to look pale, stressed, or less active after shipping.

    This is temporary. Most livestock will settle and regain colour within a few days.

    How long does it take for fish to settle in?

    Most livestock will take 3–7 days to fully adjust to their new environment.

    Should I feed my fish immediately after arrival?

    No. We recommend waiting 24 hours before feeding to allow them to settle.

    If you already have fish in your tank, feeding them before introducing new arrivals can help reduce stress.

    Why do fish sometimes struggle after being added to a tank?

    In most cases, issues are caused by tank conditions, not shipping.

    • Uncycled or unstable tanks
    • Poor water parameters
    • Overstocking
    • Unsuitable tank mates
    What is Nano Tanks Australia’s main tip for new livestock?

    Most livestock losses happen in immature or unstable tanks, not during shipping.

    If your setup is not fully established, the risk to new arrivals is significantly higher.

    Not sure if this fish is right for your setup?

    If you are unsure whether this species suits your setup, contact us before ordering and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

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