Serpae tetra

Behaviour and habits

Serpae tetras are bold, red-finned shoalers with a reputation for fin-nipping — but mainly when kept in too small a group. In a shoal of six or more they do their chasing among themselves and settle into lively, colourful mid-water schooling; a lone serpae tends to turn on its tankmates.

What to feed, and how often

They eat almost anything small: flake, micro-pellet, or frozen daphnia and bloodworm. Feed once or twice a day, only what clears in a minute or two, and vary the diet — the red fins deepen with good food.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly. They are hardy and adaptable but dislike sudden swings, so match temperature and chemistry closely and keep the water clean.

Care and how easy it is

An easy, hardy tetra provided it is kept in a proper group; avoid long-finned tankmates that invite nipping.

Common health problems

Robust; the usual problems are ich after a chill and fin rot in poor water.

If it gets sick

Keep the water warm and clean, quarantine new fish, and treat fin damage or spots early rather than waiting.