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The Silvertip Tetra is a small but striking schooling fish, named for the glowing white tips on its fins that flash like sparks in a well-lit aquarium. With a coppery-gold body and fast, playful nature, this tetra brings movement and colour to peaceful community setups. It's an active species that thrives in planted tanks and loves to shoal in groups.
Species: Hasemania nana
Common Names: Silvertip Tetra
Origin: Brazil – rivers and streams of the São Francisco River Basin
Light Requirements: Moderate – enhanced under full-spectrum lighting
Diet: Omnivorous – accepts flake foods, micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp
Maximum Size: 4–5 cm
Temperament: Peaceful to mildly boisterous
Care Level: Easy
Aquarium Setup:
Best kept in aquariums of 60 litres or more, Silvertip Tetras thrive in schools of six or more with plenty of swimming space. A well-planted tank with driftwood, dark substrate, and gentle filtration will mimic their natural habitat and bring out their colour. Although peaceful, they can be a little nippy if kept in small numbers—ensure they’re kept in proper schools.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–27°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (5–15 dGH)
Growth and Maintenance:
Hardy and long-lived (up to 5 years), Silvertip Tetras are low-maintenance and suitable for beginners. Regular water changes, a varied diet, and stable parameters will keep their colours vibrant and behaviour active. Males are usually more brightly coloured and slightly slimmer than females.
Care Tips:
✔ Always keep in groups of six or more to minimise nipping
✔ Feed small, varied meals for peak colour and condition
✔ Use darker substrate and plants to enhance natural tones
✔ Perform regular partial water changes to maintain water quality
✔ Avoid housing with slow or long-finned tankmates
Compatibility:
Great for peaceful community tanks with similarly sized fish like rasboras, other tetras, Corydoras, livebearers, and dwarf gouramis. Avoid pairing with very slow or delicate species, as they may outcompete them for food.
Availability:
Regularly available in the Australian aquarium trade. Sold in small groups or as part of community fish bundles—ask us for stocking tips.
Disclaimer:
Keep Silvertip Tetras in schools to reduce fin-nipping and encourage natural behaviour. Their copper-gold colour and flashing fins are most vibrant when kept in a well-maintained tank with proper lighting.