Serpae Tetra
Scientific Name : Hyphessobrycon callistus
Common Names : Jewel Tetra, Red Minor Tetra
Care Level : Easy, good for freshwater beginners
Size : 1.5 inches (4 cm)
pH : 5 – 7.8
Temperature : 72°F – 79°F (22°C – 26°C)
Water Hardness : 10° to 25° dH,
Life Span : 5 – 7 years
Origin / Habitat : South America
Temperament / Behavior : This tetra is generally peaceful but they are sometimes prone to fin nipping on some of their tank mates. Keeping them in a school of 6 or more may help alleviate this problem.
Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : Not too hard if the ph is between 6.5 and 6.8.
Tank Size : 10 gallon or larger.
Compatible Tank Mates : Other Tetras, Catfish and Plecos, Swordtails.
Fish Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease – Diagnose, Symptoms and Treatment
Diet / Fish Food : Omnivore, they will eat many fish foods including flakes, freeze dried and live foods. As with many fish, try to vary their diet for optimum health and colors.
Tank Region : Middle to bottom
Gender : Hard to determine, but the female may be more round in shape.
Gallery Photos : Serpae Tetra Photos
The Serpae Tetra is one of the more colorful tetras that sometimes gets a bad reputation for being a fin nipper. This behavior is usually brought on because they are not being kept in schools of 6 or more. Provided that you have the room for a small school of these fish, the Serpaes can make a good addition to a community tank.
They have a brown body, almost amber colored with a black dorsal fin and red caudal and anal fins. They look really good in an aquarium with a lush growth of live aquarium plants.
You can usually find them swimming in a shoal in the middle to bottom regions of your tank. They should leave other fish alone and chase each other playfully around the tank.
Serpae Tetras will accept nearly all fish food such as flakes, frozen, live and freeze dried.
