Serpae Tetra - (No Online Purchases)

Serpae Tetra - Pick Up In Store Only

Scientific Name: Megalamphodus eques — formerly Hyphessobrycon eques.

Description: A colourful, deep-bodied tetra with a rich red body, a dark shoulder marking and a black dorsal fin. The anal fin has a dark border, often edged with white. Active and bold, Serpae Tetras create an impressive shoaling display but require carefully selected tank mates due to their fin-nipping behaviour.

Origin: South America; the Amazon and Paraguay river basins.

pH: Approximately 6.0–7.5.

Temperature: Around 23–27°C.

Adult Size: Approximately 4–5 cm.

Lifespan: Approximately 5–7 years with good care.

Food: Omnivorous. Feed quality tropical flakes or small pellets, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms. Spread food across several areas to reduce competition at feeding time.

Compatibility: Best kept with similarly sized, active fish of suitable temperament. Keep in groups of at least eight, preferably ten or more, to help distribute chasing and reduce fin-nipping. Avoid bettas, angelfish, fancy guppies and other slow-moving, timid or long-finned fish. Larger groups reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of nipping.

Habitat: Provide an established freshwater aquarium with planted edges, driftwood and shaded retreats, leaving plenty of open swimming space. Use plants and decorations to break up sightlines. Maintain effective filtration, gentle to moderate water movement and regular partial water changes.