Species › Tetras

Serpae tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Hyphessobrycon eques

Serpae tetras grow to 4 cm (1.6 in). They live in groups: keep at least 12. They nip the fins of slow or long-finned fish. They need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) and pH 5.0–7.5.

Minimum tank

72 L (19 US gal), at least 80 cm (31 in) long

Adult size

4 cm (1.6 in)

Temperature

22–26 °C (72–79 °F)

pH

pH 5.0–7.5

Group

12 or more

Serpae tetra minimum tank size

Serpae tetras need at least 72 L (19 US gal), in a tank at least 80 cm (31 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 4 cm (1.6 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (16 cm (6.3 in)).

Serpae tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against serpae tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (24)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cardinal tetra
• Cherry barb
• Clown loach
• Common pleco
• Dwarf gourami
• Glowlight tetra
• Harlequin rasbora
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Panda corydoras
• Peppered corydoras
• Platy
• Red tail shark
• Siamese algae eater
• Swordtail
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (19)

• Celestial pearl danioSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy celestial pearl danios are likely targets.
• Cherry shrimpSerpae tetras (4 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Chili rasboraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy chili rasboras are likely targets.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and serpae tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy ember tetras are likely targets.
• Endler's livebearerSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy Endler's livebearers are likely targets.
• Glass catfishSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy glass catfish are likely targets.
• Honey gouramiSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy honey gouramis are likely targets.
• KribensisSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy kribensis are likely targets.
• MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and serpae tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and serpae tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy otocinclus are likely targets.
• Paradise fishThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by serpae tetras and paradise fish. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy pearl gouramis are likely targets.
• Pygmy corydorasSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy pygmy corydoras are likely targets.
• Rosy barbThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by serpae tetras and rosy barbs. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy rummy-nose tetras are likely targets.
• White cloud mountain minnowThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by serpae tetras and white cloud mountain minnows. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (9)

• AngelfishSerpae tetras nip fins, and angelfish have long, trailing fins. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and serpae tetras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; serpae tetras grow to 4 cm.
• BettaSerpae tetras nip fins, and bettas have long, trailing fins. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as serpae tetras, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); serpae tetras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Congo tetraSerpae tetras nip fins, and Congo tetras have long, trailing fins.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so serpae tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; serpae tetras grow to 4 cm.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); serpae tetras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Serpae tetras nip and chase; shy German blue rams are likely targets.
• GoldfishSerpae tetras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• GuppySerpae tetras nip fins, and guppies have long, trailing fins.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; serpae tetras grow to 4 cm.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank