Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 3–4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 70 litres
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C
Species profile
Sailfin Tetra
Crenuchus spilurus
Common names: Sailfin Tetra, Sailfin Characin
Recognized speciesTetras
Adult size
Up to 7 cm
Up to 7 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A mature, stable aquarium
Think carefully if
- Your tap water is hard and you do not want to treat it
- Your tank is newly set up
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
An unusual, chunky fish with a tall dorsal fin on the male, also called the Sailfin Characin. Keep alone or in a small group in 68 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
An unusual, chunky fish with a tall dorsal fin on the male, also called the Sailfin Characin. It behaves more like a small cichlid, guarding eggs in a cave, and it is usually kept as a pair.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Males usually grow larger, with longer fins, but sexing can be hard outside breeding.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 270–340 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 75–100 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 68 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 75 cm
- Minimum group size
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 2
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide wood, rocks and clear territories, with enough open water for a fish of this size. Strong filtration helps, because cichlids produce a lot of waste.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A characterful fish that interacts with its surroundings and often recognises its keeper.
Often best as a pair, or as a small group in a roomy tank.
Can be territorial, especially when breeding.
Choose tankmates with care, by size and temperament. It may eat much smaller fish, and it can harass peaceful ones when breeding. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Needs soft, acidic water.
Parameter caveat
Add this fish only to a mature, fully cycled tank, and keep up regular water changes.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality pellets or flakeA good staple. Choose a size that fits its mouth.
- Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimpOffer several times a week for colour and condition.
- Algae or vegetable-based foodInclude some plant matter for balance.
Takes good-quality pellets, along with frozen foods for variety.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Cave Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Spawns inside a cave, and one parent guards the eggs and young. Provide a suitable cave for each pair.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater Stream
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Crenuchus
- Family
- Crenuchidae
- Species group
- Fish, Tetras
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Silvertip Tetra
Hasemania nana
- Care level
- Beginner
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 87 litres
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
Small Scaled Tetra
Mimagoniates microlepis
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 87 litres
- Temperature
- 18–23 °C
Splashing Tetra
Copella arnoldi
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 5.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 81 litres
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C