Serpae tetra tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for serpae tetras are corydoras, otocinclus and sparkling gouramis. Each match shares serpae tetras' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

One of the worst fin nippers among tetras. Avoid long-finned tank mates.

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum tank: 20 gal
With care: 19
Avoid: 19

How each group of fish does with serpae tetras. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive. Serpae tetras hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
Honey gourami Serpae tetras nip at slow fish. Honey gouramis cannot get away.
Cherry shrimp Serpae tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.
Dwarf gourami Serpae tetras nip at slow fish. Dwarf gouramis cannot get away.
Ghost shrimp Serpae tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give ghost shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog Serpae tetras nip at slow fish. African dwarf frogs cannot get away.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for serpae tetras.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small serpae tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Kissing gourami At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small serpae tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Pearl gourami Serpae tetras nip at slow fish. Pearl gouramis cannot get away.
Bala shark At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small serpae tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Clown loach A grown clown loach may treat small serpae tetras as food, especially at night.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Tinfoil barb At 12 inches a tinfoil barb can swallow a small serpae tetra. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Severum A grown severum may treat small serpae tetras as food, especially at night.
Blood parrot A grown blood parrot may treat small serpae tetras as food, especially at night.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: serpae tetras want pH 6–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Peacock cichlid Different water: peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, serpae tetras want pH 6–7.5.

Avoid

Betta Serpae tetras nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.
Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); serpae tetras need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.
Guppy Serpae tetras nip fins, and the long fins of guppies are an easy target.
Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); serpae tetras need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Angelfish An adult angelfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
Elephant nose fish At 9 inches an elephant nose fish can swallow a 1.75-inch serpae tetra whole.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than serpae tetras.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.75 inches serpae tetras do.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, serpae tetras need 72–79°F.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); serpae tetras need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and much bigger than serpae tetras.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); serpae tetras need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, serpae tetras need 72–79°F.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, serpae tetras need 72–79°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the serpae tetra care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for serpae tetras?

Corydoras, Otocinclus, Sparkling gouramis, Bolivian rams, Amano shrimp. They share serpae tetras' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with serpae tetras?

Bettas, Axolotls, Guppies, Pictus catfish, Goldfish. Serpae tetras nip fins, and the long fins of bettas are an easy target.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.