The Serpae Tetra, also known as the Red Tetra, Red Minor Tetra, or Red Serpae Tetra, is a striking freshwater species that adds a splash of energy and color to any aquarium. With its deep ruby-red body and shimmering black-tipped fins, the Serpae Tetra fish stands out among all Tetras types for its bold appearance and active schooling behavior. Native to the Amazon River Basin and Paraguay, the Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) thrives in warm, slow-moving, plant-rich waters. This Tetra fish is highly adaptable and ideal for both beginner and intermediate aquarists. Their vibrant coloration and social personality make them a must-have for anyone building a diverse and visually captivating community tank. The average Serpae Tetra size is 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm), making them a perfect mid-sized schooling fish. Their bright red bodies are accentuated by a distinct black spot behind the gills and semi-transparent fins with a hint of black edging. Males often display deeper coloration, especially during breeding or when kept in larger groups. When placed under good lighting in a planted aquarium, their color truly shines. Serpae Tetras are active, semi-peaceful schooling fish that do best in groups of at least 6–8 individuals. They are known for their playful energy, darting through plants and open spaces. While they can occasionally nip at slower or long-finned fish, keeping them in larger groups helps diffuse aggression and encourages natural schooling behavior. Ideal Serpae Tetra tank mates include other active Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Corydoras Catfish, and small peaceful Cichlids. At Splashy Fish tropical fish store, our Serpae Tetra for sale and other Tetras for sale are tank-bred, grown, and sold with love and care. Visit our fish store online or aquarium in Virginia for more high-quality freshwater fish for sale. We have a lot more fish available for sale, such as betta fish for sale, aquatic plants for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, and other aquarium supplies. What You Can Expect From Serpae Tetra Deep red coloration with striking black accents Hardy and beginner-friendly community fish Small size (1.5–2 inches), perfect for mid-level schooling Ideal for planted and tropical aquariums One of the most eye-catching red tetras available Serpae Tetra Water Parameters Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a school Temperature: 75°–82°F (24°–28°C) pH: 6.0–7.5 Hardness: 5–15 dGH Filtration: Gentle flow with stable water parameters and live plants Serpae Tetra Care Guidelines Diet: Omnivorous. Feed high-quality flake or micro pellet food daily, and supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp to enhance color and health. Tank Setup: A Serpae Tetra aquarium should include live plants, driftwood, and dim lighting to simulate their Amazon habitat. Provide open swimming spaces and dark substrate to enhance their vibrant red tones. Behavior: Active and social schooling fish. Best kept in groups of six or more to minimize fin-nipping and encourage natural interaction. Tankmates: Compatible with rasboras, tetras, gouramis, corydoras, and peaceful barbs. Avoid slow-moving or long-finned species like angelfish or bettas. Visit here for more detailed information about How to Care for Tetra Fish. Serpae Tetra Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Can Serpae Tetra live with shrimp? It’s generally not recommended to keep Serpae Tetras with shrimp, especially small or juvenile shrimp. While Serpae Tetras are not strictly aggressive predators, they may nip at or eat smaller shrimp like cherry shrimp or baby Amano shrimp if given the chance. Adult Amano shrimp or larger species may coexist safely in a heavily planted tank with hiding spots. If you want to keep Serpae Tetras and shrimp together, ensure dense vegetation and plenty of cover to protect the shrimp population. Are Serpae Tetras aggressive? Serpae Tetras are semi-aggressive, particularly when kept in small groups. They may nip at the fins of slower or long-finned fish such as guppies, angelfish, or bettas. To reduce aggression, keep Serpae Tetras in schools of at least 6–8 fish, which helps disperse their energy and encourages peaceful schooling behavior. Providing ample space, plants, and tank decorations also minimizes territorial behavior and makes them excellent additions to active community aquariums. How often should I feed Serpae Tetra? Feed your Serpae Tetras once or twice daily with an amount they can consume within 2–3 minutes. A varied diet is key to maintaining bright color and longevity. Offer high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. Avoid overfeeding, as it can cause water quality issues. Consistent feeding and clean water conditions will help your red serpae tetras reach their full color potential and maximum Serpae Tetra lifespan of 5–7 years. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Can Serpae Tetra live with shrimp?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "It’s generally not recommended to keep Serpae Tetras with shrimp, especially small or juvenile shrimp. While Serpae Tetras are not strictly aggressive predators, they may nip at or eat smaller shrimp like cherry shrimp or baby Amano shrimp if given the chance. Adult Amano shrimp or larger species may coexist safely in a heavily planted tank with hiding spots. If you want to keep Serpae Tetras and shrimp together, ensure dense vegetation and plenty of cover to protect the shrimp population." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Are Serpae Tetras aggressive?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Serpae Tetras are semi-aggressive, particularly when kept in small groups. They may nip at the fins of slower or long-finned fish such as guppies, angelfish, or bettas. To reduce aggression, keep Serpae Tetras in schools of at least 6–8 fish, which helps disperse their energy and encourages peaceful schooling behavior. Providing ample space, plants, and tank decorations also minimizes territorial behavior and makes them excellent additions to active community aquariums." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How often should I feed Serpae Tetra?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Feed your Serpae Tetras once or twice daily with an amount they can consume within 2–3 minutes. A varied diet is key to maintaining bright color and longevity. Offer high-quality flake food, micro pellets, and frozen or live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. Avoid overfeeding, as it can cause water quality issues. Consistent feeding and clean water conditions will help your red serpae tetras reach their full color potential and maximum Serpae Tetra lifespan of 5–7 years." } }] }
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