FishTankSerpae tetra care: tank size, temperature and tankmates
Bright red and always moving. Serpaes are tough but among the nippier tetras.
Quick facts
| Type | Tetra |
|---|---|
| Adult size | About 1.75 inches |
| Smallest tank | 20 gallons |
| Temperature | 72–79°F |
| Keep | 6 or more |
| Watch for | Can nip fins. Keep a full group and avoid long-finned tankmates. |
How to keep them
A group of 8 or more spreads out the chasing. Keep them with fast, short-finned fish.
Like every fish, they need a cycled tank, a heater set inside their range, and a weekly water change of about 25%. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you add them. New to this? Start with how to cycle a fish tank.
Tankmates
Good tankmates
Neon tetra · Cardinal tetra · Ember tetra · Rummynose tetra · Black skirt tetra · Harlequin rasbora · Zebra danio · Cherry barb · Tiger barb · Platy · Endler's livebearer · Molly · Swordtail · Corydoras (bronze or peppered) · Pygmy corydoras · Kuhli loach · Otocinclus · Bristlenose pleco · Cherry shrimp · Amano shrimp · Nerite snail · Mystery snail
Possible, with care
- White cloud mountain minnow: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
- Honey gourami: Serpae tetras may nip the thread-like fins of gouramis.
- Dwarf gourami: Serpae tetras may nip the thread-like fins of gouramis.
- Pearl gourami: Serpae tetras may nip the thread-like fins of gouramis.
Avoid
- Guppy: Serpae tetras nip fins, and guppies have long fins.
- Betta (male): Serpae tetras nip fins, and bettas have long fins.
- Angelfish: Serpae tetras nip fins, and angelfish have long fins.
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
- Common goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
Check a whole tank in the fish compatibility checker, or see if they fit with the stocking calculator.
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