The Hyphessobrycon eques, better known as the tetra serpae or tetra jewel, is a small, very colourful South American characid with an intense orange-red body and a dark dorsal fin edged in white. Active and robust, it adds a highly contrasting touch to well-designed community aquariums.

Origin & habitat

This species is native toSouth America, mainly the Rio Guaporé and Rio Paraguay basins. It is found in calm rivers, ponds and flooded areas, where the water is generally soft, slightly acidic to neutral and often lined with aquatic vegetation and submerged roots. The water is well oxygenated, with natural light filtered through the canopy.

Description & sexual dimorphism

• Adult size: 3.5-4.5 cm
• Lifespan: 4 to 6 years in good conditions
• Body: stocky, typical grouse shape, slightly compressed laterally
• Colouring: orange-red to reddish-brown, with a comma-shaped black spot behind the operculum
• Fins: dark dorsal fin often edged with white, other fins reddish to slightly smoky

Males are generally more colourful and slender, with slightly more developed fins. Females are slightly rounder, especially during the spawning period, and are sometimes slightly less brightly coloured.

Recommended water parameters

• Temperature: 23-27°C
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Hardness: 2-12 °dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
• Water quality: zero nitrites, low nitrates, well-oxygenated water

Hyphessobrycon eques is relatively robust, but like all small characids it appreciates stable, clean water with regular changes (20-30% per week) and effective filtration.

Aquarium maintenance

• Minimum recommended volume: from 100 L with a good front length (80 cm or more).
• Decor: densely planted aquarium, roots, driftwood, shaded areas and open swimming area
• Substrate: neutral to dark, to bring out the red colouring
• Swimming area: mainly in the middle of the tank
• Lighting: moderate, possibly subdued by floating plants

An Amazonian-style setting planted with a few tannins (catappa leaves, alder fruit) is particularly well suited to this species and highlights its intense colours.

Behaviour & cohabitation

Hyphessobrycon eques is a gregarious, active fish that must be kept in shoals of at least 8 to 10 individuals. In too small a group, it may show itself to be a fin pincher towards other fish.

• Character: lively, sometimes a little 'teasing', especially between fellow fish or if the group is too small.
• Ideal mates: other tetras of similar size, rasboras, calm bearded fish, corydoras, small loricarids.
• Avoid: fish with large veiled fins (sailfish, bettas, scalarfish, Chinese sailfish) which risk being pinched.

In a large shoal and a well laid-out tank, aggression is diluted and they occupy the middle zone with very interesting group behaviour.

Diet

An omnivore with a tendency to eat insects, the tetra serpae accepts a wide variety of foods:

• Dry food: quality flakes and granules for tropical fish.
• Live/frozen supplements: artemia, daphnia, mosquito larvae, cyclops, to boost colour and vitality.
• Plant-based: food containing spirulina or plant extracts for a healthy digestive balance.

Give 2-3 small meals a day, consumed in a few minutes, to avoid overfeeding and maintain good water quality.

Reproduction in an aquarium

Hyphessobrycon eques can be reproduced by motivated aquarists. It is a free-laying species that spreads its eggs among the fine vegetation.

• Breeding tank: small dedicated volume with fine-leaved plants (Java moss, Cabomba, etc.) or spawning mops.
• Parameters: soft, slightly acidic water, very subdued lighting.
• Introduce a well-fed live couple or small group to stimulate egg-laying.
• Remove adults after spawning, as they may consume the eggs.
• The eggs hatch in 24-36 h; feed the fry with infusoria, followed by artemia nauplia.

Aquabota tips

• Maintain a large shoal to reduce fin pinching and observe natural group behaviour.
• Avoid roommates with long decorative fins, which are often targeted.
• Offer a planted tank with shaded areas and an open swimming area in the centre.
• Stable parameters and clean water = more colourful, more resistant fish.

Quick facts

• Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon eques
• Common names: serpae tetra, jewel tetra, red tetra
• Origin: South America (Rio Guaporé basin, Rio Paraguay)
• Adult size: 3.5-4.5 cm
• Swimming area: middle of the tank
• Temperature: 23-27°C
• pH: 6.0-7.5
• Hardness: 2-12 °dGH
• Behaviour: gregarious, active, sometimes pinches fins if kept in too small a group
• Difficulty level: easy to intermediate

Shipping & Delivery of live fish

Our Hyphessobrycon eques are prepared with the greatest care in our Aquabota fishroom. Each fish is selected, acclimatised and observed before shipping to ensure optimum health.

• Packaging: oxygenated bags, insulated in crates specially designed for transporting live fish.
• Transport: express delivery via specially adapted carriers, to keep time spent in transit to a minimum.
• Temperature: addition of heaters or ice packs depending on the season, to maintain a stable temperature.
• Arrival: an Aquabota acclimatisation guide accompanies you step by step to help you introduce your fish in the best possible conditions.

If you have any questions before or after placing your order, our Aquabota team will be happy to advise you on compatibility with your population, the choice of decor and the ideal parameters for your Hyphessobrycon eques.