Excellent fish for beginners, nearly unkillable. And fairly pretty.
Name
Serpae Tetra
Introduction:
This hardy tetra is native to South America. It is one of the very best beginner tetras being hardy and not overly aggressive.
Description:
In health, this fish will grow to over one inch in length and will attain a very deep orange which borders on being red. Black trim finishes the appearance as one of the more beautiful tetras.
Behavior:
Will form tight schools when kept with active dither fish. The Serpae Tetras are picky amongst themselves but will not usually harm other fish. Keep them in groups of three, five or seven. Even numbers of these tetras are bad luck.
Requirements:
I have had these in warm water [85 degF +], cold water [72 degF], still water, and well circulated water. They are tough and adaptable. Serpaes are impervious to ammonia and nitrite toxicity. They are highly susceptible to Ich and fluke infestations however. Serpaes survive salting and will survive Fluke Tab treatments. I have had Serpaes which have lived over two years.
Feeding:
They thrive on flake foods of good quality [so skip Wardley’s] and appreciate occasional feedings with tubifex, blood worms, and brine shrimp, and Serpaes can be trained to take food from a basket feeder. Feed at least once daily, and if kept warm, please feed two to three times daily to accomodate their higher metabolism.
Precautions:
They can nip each other, and losing one to fin nipping is not a surprise at any time.
