{"product_id":"serpae-tetra-hyphessobrycon-eques","title":"Serpae Tetra | Hyphessobrycon eques","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Serpae Tetra is a jewel of warm blood-red flushed with black — one of the most striking small tetras, and one of the cheekiest. It stays small at around 4 cm, but be candid: this is a lively, nippy little fish that will harass long fins if kept in too small a group, so it is best in a large shoal with active tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHyphessobrycon eques comes from the Amazon and Paraguay river basins of South America, where it lives in slow-moving tributaries, backwaters, oxbow lakes and flooded margins — typically soft, slightly acidic, tannin-stained water among dense vegetation and submerged leaf litter.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA deep, coin-shaped body glows in shades of rusty red to deep crimson, marked by a distinctive comma-shaped black shoulder blotch behind the gill. The dorsal fin is black with a white tip and the anal fin edged in black, adding to the fiery contrast. Long-finned and colour-enhanced forms are also available.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and a notorious fin-nipper. Kept singly or in small numbers it becomes a bully; kept in a shoal of eight to ten or more, aggression is spread within the group and directed less at tank mates. Even so, avoid pairing it with slow, long-finned fish. Good companions are other robust, fast-moving fish of similar size that can hold their own.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easy omnivore with a hearty appetite. A quality flake or micro-granule makes a good staple, supplemented with frozen and live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm and mosquito larvae to bring out the richest red colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L to allow a proper shoal and reduce nipping. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.5 and GH soft to moderately hard, around 4–12. Gentle flow, some planting and open swimming space suit it well, and slightly softer, darker water shows the colour best. It is plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn egg-scattering species that spawns among fine-leaved plants and gives no parental care — indeed, adults eagerly eat their own eggs. A conditioned pair or small group in soft, slightly acidic water will scatter adhesive eggs that hatch in a day or two; fry are reared on infusoria and then fine live foods.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHyphessobrycon eques\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSerpae Tetra, Red Minor Tetra, Blood Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Amazon and Paraguay basins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–7 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (fin-nipper); keep in large groups\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner (with the right tank mates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: flake, micro-granules, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 4–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted community aquariums with robust, active tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other robust tetras, larger rasboras, danios, active barbs, corydoras and other peaceful catfish — fast, sturdy fish that will not be intimidated.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with slow, long-finned fish such as bettas, angelfish, guppies and fancy goldfish, which will have their fins nipped, and with very small, timid fish that may be harassed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232816611619,"sku":"AA1539","price":7.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/serpae-tetra-hyphessobrycon-43077927633187.webp?v=1790306323","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/serpae-tetra-hyphessobrycon-eques","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}