Product Details

Silvertip Tetra – Hasemania nana

The Silvertip Tetra is a lively, copper-gold South American tetra with bright pale tips to the fins and plenty of movement in the aquarium. Hasemania nana is hardy, colourful and well suited to planted community tanks, but it is more energetic than very gentle nano species. It should be kept in a proper group so its natural activity stays focused within the shoal rather than on slower tank mates.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Silvertip Tetra
Other Names: Silver Tip Tetra, Copper Tetra, Silver-tipped Tetra
Scientific Name: Hasemania nana
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Hasemania nana is native to Brazil, where it is recorded from the São Francisco River basin in Minas Gerais. In the aquarium, it suits clean, well-filtered water with open swimming space, shaded planted areas and enough cover for the group to settle confidently.

A planted layout with darker décor, wood, smooth stones and open midwater swimming lanes works well. Although adaptable, Silvertip Tetras should be added only to mature aquariums with stable water quality.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Silvertip Tetras have a slim, active body with a bronze, copper or golden sheen. The pale white or silver tips on the fins give the species its common name, while settled males can show especially warm colouration. Females are usually fuller-bodied and slightly softer in colour.

Adults usually reach around 3.5–4 cm, making them small but active shoaling fish. Their movement and social behaviour mean they need more swimming space than their size alone may suggest.

Aquarium Suitability:

This is a good choice for lively planted community aquariums, mixed tetra displays and robust peaceful setups. Silvertip Tetras are hardy and adaptable, but they are best kept with tank mates that can cope with their active movement.

They are not ideal for very quiet nano aquariums, slow fancy fish, delicate long-finned species or immature aquariums with unstable water quality.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 75–90 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for bigger groups and mixed community displays.

Keep in a group of at least 8, with 10 or more preferred. Good group size helps reduce chasing, improves confidence and shows more natural behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Silvertip Tetras are adaptable once settled, but sudden changes in water chemistry should be avoided. Regular water changes, good filtration and open swimming space are important for long-term health.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Silvertip Tetras are active community fish. Suitable tank mates include other lively tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs, Cory-type catfish, bristlenose plecs, small rainbowfish and robust peaceful livebearers in compatible water.

Avoid male bettas, fancy guppies, long-finned gouramis, very shy nano fish and slow fancy varieties. Silvertips can become nippy if kept in small numbers, so they should not be kept singly, in pairs or in tiny groups.

Feeding:

Silvertip Tetras are easy-feeding omnivores. Offer quality flakes, micro pellets or small granules as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and small bloodworm.

A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and activity. Feed small amounts that are eaten quickly, as this species is fast and eager at feeding time.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species usually swims in the middle and upper areas of the aquarium, moving actively in a loose group. Males may chase and display to one another, especially in mature shoals, but this behaviour is usually manageable when the group is large enough and the aquarium has enough space.

Silvertip Tetras are egg scatterers and do not provide parental care. If spawning occurs in a community aquarium, eggs and fry are usually eaten unless a separate breeding setup is used.

Care Notes:

Add Silvertip Tetras only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide open swimming room, planted edges and shaded areas. Avoid slow long-finned tank mates, cramped aquariums and small groups, as these conditions can encourage fin-nipping.

A secure lid is recommended, as active tetras may jump if startled. Their copper colour and silver fin tips show best in stable water with good diet and calm surroundings.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Usually captive-bred or farmed

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, copper colour, silver fin tips, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.