Serpae tetra

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Hyphessobrycon eques
Serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Hyphessobrycon
Species: H. eques
Binomial name
Hyphessobrycon eques
(Steindachner, 1882)

Serpae tetras are one species of the genus Hyphessobrycon, and are now known as Hyphessobrycon eques. These South American tropical characids are popular aquarium fishes, often identified as "red minor tetras". They are found in the wild in the Madeira and Guaporé regions of the Amazon River, and in upper Paraguay.

In the aquarium

A long-finned variety of H. eques

Serpae tetras prefer water temperatures ranging from 72-79°F (22-26°C). They will generally do better and show off their best colors in soft, neutral to slightly acidic water. As with any other schooling fish, they thrive in large groups and should be kept in schools of at least six fish. The tank should be well-planted, providing shelter and hiding spots.

If any aggression is seen in the fish, it is usually among conspecifics, especially if they are kept in large groups where they can establish a pecking order (a behavior similar to Puntius tetrazona).

Breeding

Breeding, as with most other tetras, can be difficult due to the few obvious differences between the genders. However, males are usually slimmer and smaller than females. Also a visible difference in the shape of the swim bladder can be seen above and behind the silverish abdominal cavity. To breed these fish, they should be given a small, dedicated breeding tank planted with thick bunches of fine-leaved plants such as Myriophyllum on which they can lay eggs. Filtering through peat moss can also be helpful. The eggs hatch in about a day.

The average lifespan for a serpae tetra is about seven years.

See also

References

  • H. Axelrod; G. Axelrod, W. Burgess, N. Pronek, H. Axelrod, J. Walls (2007). Dr. Axelrod's Atlas of Freshwater Aquarium Fishes (Eleventh Edition). T.F.H. Publications. p. 292. 

External links

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