Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques)

Serpae Tetra is a variety of the Hyphessobrycon type of fish that comes from the Characidae family. Currently, this fish breed is recognized as Hyphessobrycon eques. These fish varieties are native to South America and they are admired aquarium fishes, habitually known as Red minor tetras. They are largely seen in the wild in the Guaporé and Madeira areas of the Amazon River, and in Paraguay. These fish breeds prefer soft, neutral to somewhat acidic water environment with the temperature ranging from 72 degrees Fahrenheit to 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Features

The Serpae Tetra fish variety is a small, semi- violent fish that attains a maximum body length of 2 inches when fully grown. They come in three body colors such as orange, black and red. Usually, these fish breeds perform well and demonstrate their finest colors in malleable, neutral to somewhat acidic water. Like with other schooling fish varieties, they flourish in huge groups and are supposed to be kept in schools of six fish as a minimum quantity when bred in an aquarium. The aquarium is supposed to be well-planted, offering protection, such as driftwood and hiding spots, such as plants and rocks.

If any violence is observed in the fish, it is generally among conspecifics, particularly if they are developed in huge groups where they can set up a pecking order. The Serpae Tetra fish variety prefers taller plants that agree with its average-level swimming habits together with an abundance of rock fashioned cave arrangements.

Diet

Serpae Tetra fish varieties are omnivores and they feed on various small foods, such as daphnia or brine shrimp, freeze-dehydrated Tubifex and bloodworms, a high quality flake food and micro pellet food when developed in an aquarium.

Breeding

Like with all other tetra varieties, breeding in Serpae Tetra fish varieties can be difficult because of some obvious variations between the male and female breeds. However, male breeds are typically smaller and slimmer than female ones. Moreover, a visible disparity in the form of the swim bladder can be observed above and at the back of the silver-colored abdominal hole. To breed these varieties of fish, they must be offered a small, devoted breeding container, planted with dense bunches of well-leaved plants on which they can leave their eggs. The eggs will hatch after a day they were laid.

The average lifespan of the Serpae Tetra fish breed is 7 years.