Silvertip tetra
Hasemania nana
A lively, hardy Brazilian tetra with a golden-amber body and silver-white fin tips that gleam like tiny beacons in the tank — a particularly evocative effect in compact schools with dim lighting and dark substrate. Native to Brazil's São Francisco River basin. Taxonomic peculiarity: it is one of the rare tetras lacking an adipose fin. A tireless, active swimmer, it is ideal for communities with fish of the same energy. In groups that are too small it may develop fin-nipping tendencies with long-finned fish.
Temperatura da água
22 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.5
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Meio
Tamanho adulto
5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 60 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
5 - 15 dGH
KH
2 - 7 dKH
TDS
95 - 295 ppm
Condutividade
148 - 461 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: São Francisco river basin (eastern Brazil). Clear but shady rivers (Whitewater/Clearwater), with strong flow among the gallery vegetation and the muddy or rocky bottom.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Silvertip Tetra (Hasemania nana). Small lively characin. Differs from most tetras in the absolute lack of the small adipose fin (on the back, before the tail). Compact torpedo body.
Social Behavior: Always on the move, snappy and often defined a bit of a "bully" if kept in small numbers. Males engage in fake circular fights for hierarchies. Schooling is mandatory (minimum 10 specimens).
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Color in copper and gold base. The name (Silver Tip) derives from the unmistakable pure white/silver dots, almost reflective, present on the tip of all fins and tail. Males turn a bright dark copper, females are yellowish and pot-bellied.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Standard 80-100 cm (32-40 inches) tank. Loves the intersection between dense plant forests (Hygrophila) in the center/back of the tank and endless free spaces on the front where to swim frantically. The water must be kept moving by a small pump.
Diet and Feeding: Not picky at all (Omnivorous micro-predator). Throws itself fiercely on flakes, freeze-dried brine shrimp and bloodworms, sweeping the food from the surface, but struggles to feed from the bottom.
Water Quality: Very tolerant of hardness and pH, it can withstand even pH 7.5 and hardness above 15 GH without losing its coloring, which makes it perfect for tap water, provided good changes are made.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal companion for large Corydoras (Sterbai) and tough cleaners. Must NOT be paired with Discus or Angelfish: its frantic swimming terrifies Discus and it will arrogantly nip Angelfish fins.
Aquarium Breeding: Randomly scatters eggs in the mossy substrate without caring for them and, if not separated, eats the caviar back instantly. Very easy to breed by isolating 2 males and 1 swollen female in a net tank.
Risks and Diseases: Repressed aggression from limited schooling. If bought in small groups of 3 or 4 fish, they will dedicate themselves to decimating and skinning the fins of all the slower tankmates until they die of stress.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
São Francisco river basin (eastern Brazil). Clear but shady rivers (Whitewater/Clearwater), with strong flow among the gallery vegetation and the muddy or rocky bottom.
Origem
Extra-Amazônica América do SulEuropa, Mediterrâneo e Ásia Ocidental
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Peaceful
- They are lively, boisterous, and exceptionally active for a small tetra. Their constant movement adds dynamic energy to any freshwater setup. However, their slightly mischievous fin-nipping behavior requires careful selection of tank mates.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- These micro-predators are not fussy and will eagerly accept most standard aquarium foods. Offer them high-quality micro-pellets or crushed flakes as a staple diet. Supplement with live or frozen daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- Males possess a deep copper color, while females are paler and slightly more robust. They must be kept in a school of at least six to eight individuals to feel secure. A mixed ratio is fine, as schooling behavior disperses their mild internal bickering.
- Frequência de alimentação
- 2-3 times daily
- Feed them small amounts one or two times daily. They are aggressive eaters that will rush the surface during feeding time. Ensure food particles are small enough to fit into their tiny mouths.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- The Silvertip Tetra has a very low bioload, making it ideal for small or densely populated community tanks. Their small size and efficient metabolism mean they produce minimal waste. Standard aquarium filtration and regular maintenance easily handle their impact.
- Fluxo
- Moderate
- They prefer a moderate water flow that mimics the streams of their native South American habitat. The flow encourages their active schooling behavior and keeps them fit. Planted resting areas should be provided to allow them to escape the current.
- Risco de salto
- No
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- They are egg-scatterers that will frequently spawn in densely planted aquariums. They provide no parental care and will eagerly consume their own eggs if given the chance. For successful breeding, a separate darkened tank with spawning mops is required.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Community
- They are generally peaceful schooling fish but can be surprisingly nippy compared to other tetras. They should be kept with other fast-moving, short-finned community fish to prevent fin damage. Avoid housing them with slow-moving species like bettas or angelfish.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle
- Silvertip Tetras are incredibly active and will dart around the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. They are bold swimmers that spend most of their time in open water displaying to each other. They occasionally dive into the plants when resting or seeking cover.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,2 ± 0,5 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5078
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.01259, b = 3.11
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
Galeria de imagens
Imagens licenciadas vinculadas à espécie ou, quando marcadas, ao táxon representativo mais próximo.
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