Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques)

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Serpae Tetra

Serpae tetras-2886.jpg
Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon eques

57 Litres (15 US G.)

3-4.1cm (1.2-1.6 ")

sg

Freshwater

pH

5.0 - 7.8

22 -26 °C (71.6-78.8°F)

10-25 °d

1:2 M:F

Omnivore
Pellet Foods
Flake Foods
Live Foods

3-5 years

Family

Characidae

This animal is available captive bred



Additional names

Serpae Tetra, Jewel Tetra, Callistus Tetra, Blood Characin

Additional scientific names

Cheirodon eques, Chirodon eques, Hemigrammus melasopterus, Hemigrammus serpae, Hyphessobrycon callistus, Hyphessobrycon serpae, Megalamphodus eques, Tetragonopterus callistus


Origin

Found in South America, primarily in Amazon, Guaporé and Paraguay River basins.[1]


Sexing

Females are more rounded and robust than the slimmer males.


Tank compatibility

Can be nippy amongst themselves and towards other fish, keep in groups of 6 or more. Do not keep with slow moving, long-finned or very small fish. Can be put with other short finned fast swimming fish such as Zebra Danios.


Diet

Will take most foods including pellet and flake, as well as live/frozen foods such as brine shrimp and daphnia.


Feeding regime

Feed once or twice a day.


Environment specifics

Appreciate open swimming space as well as tall plants to hide in. They don't like very strong currents or very bright lights. Sensitive to water parameters, so make sure they have a mature tank and good quality filter.


Behaviour

This fish is generally peaceful as long as it's kept in a good group. However, they can get over-excited at feeding time and nip at fins of their own and other species, reminiscent of a Piranha feeding frenzy!


Identification

Similar, but slightly more elongated, body shape to the Black Widow Tetra. They are coloured a rich red-brown colour all over. They have a black comma shaped spot behind the gills on either side of the flanks, this spot fades as the fish ages. The caudal, anal and ventral fins are red, whereas the dorsal fin is is tall and black with a white fringe. The anal fin is also fringed with black and white.
A long-fin variety has been bred, but is prone to being nipped.

Pictures

References

  1. Fishbase (Mirrors: Icons-flag-us.png) Distribution

External links