Silvertip Tetra

Hasemania nana

Also known as: Silver tip tetra, Copper tetra

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22–28°C
• pH: 6–7.5
• Hardness (GH): 36–214 ppm (2–12 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A small, energetic tetra in warm copper-gold, each fin dipped in bright, opaque white, and unusually for a tetra it lacks an adipose fin. Silvertips are active, confident, and quick to learn feeding routines, often the first fish to the surface at mealtime, which makes them lively and endearing. The catch is a strong fin-nipping streak, more pronounced than in most community tetras and worst when the group is too small, so they need a school of six or more, ideally eight, and fast, sturdy, short-finned tankmates rather than slow or long-finned fish. Given numbers and the right company they are hardy, colourful, and full of character, an excellent choice for an active community that is not stocked with flowing fins.

Tankmates

Lively and engaging, but a keener fin-nipper than most community tetras, and worst in groups that are too small. Keep a school of six or more (eight-plus is better) and pair it with fast, robust, short-finned fish such as danios, larger barbs, and other sturdy tetras. Avoid bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish, and other slow or flowing-finned species. It occupies the upper water and may nip or eat adult shrimp.

Compatible with

• Black Skirt Tetra
• Zebra Danio
• Bronze Corydoras
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Harlequin Rasbora
• Gold Barb

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Dwarf Gourami
• Guppy
• Angelfish
• Long Finned Species
• Cherry Shrimp

Common Problems

• fin nipping, worse in groups smaller than six
• nipping slow or long-finned tankmates
• males fading in colour outside breeding condition
• ich

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20