Silver tipped tetra - Hasemania nana

Scientific name: Hasemania nana

Common name: Silver tipped tetra

Family: Characidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 4 - 5 cm (1.57 - 1.97 inch)

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Recommended pH range: 5.5 - 7

Recommended water hardness: 2 - 12°N (35.71 - 214.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature range: 22 - 28 °C (71.6 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

General Information

Hasemania nana, the Silver Tip Tetra, is a lively schooling characin endemic to the São Francisco River basin in eastern Brazil. Adults commonly reach 4–5 cm (1.6–2.0″). This species is energetic and can be nippy toward slow, long-finned tank mates if kept in small numbers; maintain a proper shoal (10 ) to diffuse aggression and display natural behaviour.

Food & Feeding

Omnivorous micro-predator. Provide quality micro-flakes or fine granules as a staple and rotate frozen/live foods (baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, finely chopped bloodworms). Offer small portions 2–3× daily to keep colours bright without fouling the water.

Sexing

Males are slimmer, more intensely coppery, with bright white/silver tips to the fins; females are fuller-bodied with paler, sometimes yellowish fin edging.

Breeding

Typical egg-scattering tetra with no parental care—straightforward in a dedicated setup. Use very soft, slightly acidic water, dim light, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, and/or a marble/mesh base to protect eggs. Remove adults immediately after spawning. Eggs usually hatch in ~24–36 h; fry become free-swimming after 3–4 days. Start with infusoria/micro foods before introducing newly hatched brine shrimp.

Lifespan

Typically 3–5 years with clean, stable water and a varied diet.

Tank Requirements & Water Parameters

Tank size: at least 75–90 cm (30–36″) length for a proper shoal; open swimming lanes plus plant thickets.
Temperature: 22–28 °C (72–82 °F).
pH: prefers 5.5–7.0; will tolerate near-neutral if stable. Stability is more important than the exact number.
Hardness: soft to moderate (≈ 2–12 °dH).
Filtration/flow: gentle to moderate flow with good oxygenation; low nitrogenous waste.
Aquascape & light: darker substrate, driftwood/leaf litter and plants; subdued lighting (floating plants help).
Maintenance: weekly water changes; avoid abrupt parameter swings.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Best with similarly sized, swift, peaceful species (small rasboras, robust tetras, peaceful dwarf corys). Avoid slow or long-finned fish such as bettas, guppies with long tails, fancy angelfish—silvertips may nip.

Behaviour & Usual Place in the Tank

Active mid-water schooler that tightens its shoal when startled. A larger group reduces nipping and encourages constant, synchronized swimming.

Short Description

Silver Tip Tetras are fast, copper-toned schoolers from Brazil’s São Francisco basin. Keep a large shoal in a softly lit, well-filtered tank, feed fine foods, and avoid long-finned tank mates for a harmonious community.