Serpae Tetras

[MeanHoney]

Hi all-
I have 3 Serpae tetras in a 10 gallon tank. 2 of them seem to be bullying the 3rd. I had a similar problem with tiger barbs and exchanged them for tetras, based on (bad) advice from my lfs. I found out after getting them that serpaes have a reputation as being aggressive. I've tried rearranging the tank, but the bullying hasn't stopped. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[lljdma06]

Hi all-
I have 3 Serpae tetras in a 10 gallon tank. 2 of them seem to be bullying the 3rd. I had a similar problem with tiger barbs and exchanged them for tetras, based on (bad) advice from my lfs. I found out after getting them that serpaes have a reputation as being aggressive. I've tried rearranging the tank, but the bullying hasn't stopped. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Get three more serpae tetras. Tetras, in general, but especially the blood characins (which the serpae is a member of) do better in groups of 5 or more. This will reduce the agression on the one individual. Serpaes stay small, about 1.5 inches, so 6 should be fine in a 10g if you don't add anything else. I have 8 in my 20g and I love them to bits. They are a great fish once you understand their behavior and great community fish if you know what community they're best for. Serpaes also need to be kept well fed. If they are not, they will turn on a weaker fish. When your tank is a year old, and if you're up on your water changes, you can get 2 more. If you can return them, then I encourage a smaller tetra, like glowlights, as serpaes stay small but really do better with a little more space. But, if you get 3 more, I don't think you'll have a big problem.

Hope this helps a bit,

llj

 

[MeanHoney]

Thanks llj.

I have two small catfish along with the tetras, would another three tetras be too much for the tank?

 

[three-fingers]

Depends on what type of catfish and how big they are . If you don't know what type of catfish they are, take a picture. Its pretty important to know what type of catfish you have, you could have small peaceful corydoras that usually get around 3" or something like a red tailed catfish that can get to 4' .

 

[MeanHoney]

Depends on what type of catfish and how big they are . If you don't know what type of catfish they are, take a picture. Its pretty important to know what type of catfish you have, you could have small peaceful corydoras that usually get around 3" or something like a red tailed catfish that can get to 4' .

They are Synodontis eupterus which I know are going to get too big for the tank (again bad advice from lfs). Right now they are both less than 2" long, but I don't know how fast they will grow. I guess that's another problem for another day

 

[tetras4me]

ANYWAYS i have three surpae tetras aswell as you can see. well surpae tetras do have a tendedncy too fight. they do so to decide ranks. it all naturell. but to make if the fighting starts to get fatel or seriously harmfull i would suggest puting them in a group of five or six.

 

[lljdma06]

ANYWAYS i have three surpae tetras aswell as you can see. well surpae tetras do have a tendedncy too fight. they do so to decide ranks. it all naturell. but to make if the fighting starts to get fatel or seriously harmfull i would suggest puting them in a group of five or six.

You are correct in stating that it's to establish ranks, Tetras4me. An alpha male in the group will assert his dominance over the others. He is usually the fish with the most impressive finnage. My alpha is easy to spot and one of my favorite fish. But why wait until the fighting becomes harmful or fatal? Serpae tetras can tend toward aggression if their numbers aren't in check. They can also turn on other fish and start nipping. It is really best to address agression issues before they result in a compromise in fish health, which could lead to disease.

I am no expert on synodontis catfish, but Synodontis eupterus gets to be 6 inches long, way to big for a 10g tank. If you could find a bigger home for them, MeanHoney, that would be best.

Tetras4me, I know you mean well, but there are several species on your list where the numbers need to be amended. Tetras are schooling fish and appreciate greater numbers. A nice number to aim for is 5, but the 7 neons you have in your tank is much better. I am assuming that you plan to increase the numbers of your schooling species, which also include the harlequins as well. Rainbows also prefer to be in groups. In addition, and I'm only saying this to help, bala sharks are also schooling fish. Schooling fish that can grow to be 13 inches long! Not the best fish for a 55g tank. Finally, make sure you know what species your pleco is. Several species can reach 2 feet or more in length. But other species only stay at around 5 inches or less. It's great that you want to help out, and I encourage continued research and reading.

55 gallon
7 neon tetras
6 blck neon tetras
1 dimond tetra
4 x-ray tetras
2 bueanos arieas tetras
3 surpae tetras
1 rainbow shark
2 two inch bala shark
1 pleco
2 zebra dainos
3 harlequin rasboras
1 paradise fish


Warmest regards, and I hope that your situation with your Serpae tetras, MeanHoney, improves. They are really a fantastic fish.

llj

 

[three-fingers]

They are Synodontis eupterus which I know are going to get too big for the tank (again bad advice from lfs). Right now they are both less than 2" long, but I don't know how fast they will grow. I guess that's another problem for another day

You should really rehome them before you get too attached . I have one of them and he has grown from 1.5inches to 5 inches in just over a year and a half, and i have heard of them growing much faster than that too .

 

[UBigBobby]

From personal experience, the more the merrier with serpae tetras. I have a shoal of 12, and they seldom ever go after each other, as there are just so many. Because of their large number, they keep to themselves and ignore the 5 harleguin rasboras I have.