Blood Tetra "Extra Red" - Hyphessobrycon callistus

The lively blood tetra, also known as serpae tetra or serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques, formerly: Hyphessobrycon serpae) originates from the South American Amazon region and belongs to the true tetras.

The high-backed aquarium fish are orange-reddish in color. They often have a more or less large black spot behind the cheek, and the dorsal fin also bears a black spot fringed with white behind. The ventral fin is fringed with black. The adipose fin, typical of tetras, is rather small in the blood tetra. The coloration of the females is less intense than that of the males, but they are somewhat taller and also somewhat rounder. Blood tetras grow to about 4 cm in length.

Blood tetras fit into a community aquarium with other hardy fish preferably from South America. Since Hyphessobrycon eques is quite an assertive aquarium fish, it should not be put in the aquarium with very calm fish. If fed incorrectly, it is possible for the Blood Tetra to chew on the fins of other fish. Small shrimp will be eaten, so the serpae tetra should only be placed in the aquarium with larger shrimp species such as Amano shrimp, or with very well reproducing shrimp such as Red Fire (Neocaridina davidi) or Sulawesi domestic shrimp. These shrimp then require many hiding places and finely structured plants such as dense cushions of aquarium moss.

Blood tetras are predominantly found in the middle water layers and may therefore offer dwarf crayfish somewhat more of a target than other tetras, which are mainly found in the upper part of the aquarium. Only rather peacefully minded dwarf crayfish should be socialized here.

Blood Tetras need room to swim and a decent amount of perimeter planting to hide in. They come from unshaded biotopes and therefore do not necessarily need a shaded aquarium.

As a schooling fish, the Blood Tetra should be kept with 10 conspecifics in a sufficiently large aqu arium of at least 150 liters. An overstocking and a too close attitude leads to serious intra-species friction. This can result in fin damage, but it heals very quickly in this species of fish. Blood tetras can live about 5 years in the aquarium if kept well.

Blood tetras like soft to medium hard water in the aquarium and a high content of humic substances. The water temperature should be between 23 and 28 degrees.

For breeding Hyphessobrycon eques needs rather soft and slightly acidic water with 26-28 °C. A pair of the Blood Tetra is placed for spawning in a breeding aquarium of 54 liters with fine-foliaged plants or mosses as spawning substrate. Blood Tetras are free spawners, so the female lays her eggs in the water, which then sink into the plant pads. Before mating, the male chases the female intensively. After spawning, the adults should be returned to the large tank so they do not eat the eggs. The fry can be raised initially on infusoria and then on artemia euplii after the transition to free swimming.

Blood tetras, like the vast majority of South American true tetras, like a varied diet. In addition to animal foods (frozen foods, live foods), they also eat plant foods. They are therefore well served with a flake food for omnivorous aquarium fish. However, frozen food or live food should always be part of the weekly menu.

Our food recommendation: This NatureHolic Main Feed is a professional staple feed for all aquarium fish. Main feed we supply in the form of soft granules, which thanks to its grain size of half a millimeter can be easily absorbed by small to medium-sized fish. The soft consistency resembles the texture of insect larvae in nature and protects the fish mouth from micro-injuries.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free from algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.