Silvertip Tetra (Hasemania nana)

The Silvertip Tetra (Hasemania nana) is a small, energetic schooling fish from the São Francisco River basin of Brazil. Its golden-copper body with distinctly white-tipped fins — particularly the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins — creates a twinkling, silvery flash when a school moves under aquarium lighting. Males tend to display deeper orange-gold coloration than females.

Silvertip Tetras are among the more spirited and active tetras, combining good hardiness with vivid coloration and lively behavior. They are well-suited to community aquariums but share some of the same fin-nipping tendencies as Serpae Tetras — particularly noticeable in small groups or with long-finned tankmates. Keeping them in schools of 10 or more significantly reduces this behavior.

This species adapts well to a range of water conditions, making it accessible to beginners while still offering enough personality to interest experienced aquarists. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral water and shows its best colors in a planted aquarium with dark substrate and open swimming space.

Silvertip Tetras are omnivores that readily accept a wide range of standard aquarium foods. Their combination of hardiness, affordability, and attractive appearance has made them a long-standing favorite in the hobby.

Water Parameters: pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–28°C, GH 4–15. Adaptable to a range of conditions; soft, slightly acidic water enhances coloration. Avoid extremes. Regular water changes of 25–30% weekly maintain optimal conditions.

Tank Setup: Minimum 80 liters for a school of 10. Planted aquarium with open swimming space, dark substrate, and subdued lighting produces best coloration. Floating plants diffusing light create a natural feel. Good filtration with moderate flow.

Feeding: Omnivores that accept flake food, micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Feed twice daily in small amounts. Varied diet improves coloration and health.

Tankmates: Best kept with active, similarly-sized, short-finned fish: other small tetras, rasboras, danios, Corydoras. Avoid bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish, or other long-finned species — fin-nipping is very likely, especially in smaller groups. Keep 10+ to reduce fin-nipping behavior.

Health: Hardy and disease-resistant. Sensitive to rapid parameter changes. Watch for ich, velvet, and bacterial infections. A robust, beginner-friendly species when kept in appropriate groups and conditions.