Are serpae good tank mates for black neons?

I've a black neon species tank, the original plan has always been to add two school of tetras and nothing more. I live in a small country and I've limited options for stocking. Recently I found serpae available in an other city.

My problem is that serpae have the reputation of being nippers and bullies towards other fish and in top of that black neons are known for being shy.

In your knowledge and experience, would they be okay in the same tank?

If so, what ratio would you recommend?

 

Hyphessobrycon eques – Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon callistus, Hyphessobrycon serpae) — Seriously Fish

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi – Black Neon Tetra — Seriously Fish

As they have overlapping ranges in the wild, what do you think?

My problem is that serpae have the reputation of being nippers and bullies towards other fish and in top of that black neons are known for being shy.

I don't know where you got that from. As long as they are kept in a suitable tank in appropriate numbers per species, all you will see is typical tetra bickering. Tetras are not all cuddly and peaceful, but they are also not monsterfish. Expect a base-level of aggression, and only intraspecies. Some roughed up fins maybe. If anything more serious crops up it's either due to numbers, structure, tanksize or all of these together.

Keep 10 each if the tank dimensions allow for that.

 

How big is your tank? I haven't kept either species, though I have some tetras similar to serpaes and they do not cause any trouble. If your tank is big enough to have 10-15 of each I think they should be fine and would look good together as they contrast in shape and colour.. I don't know if they actually occur together in the wild, but they do both occur in the Paraguay drainage which is nice.

Posted before I saw MacZ's answer...

 

Hyphessobrycon eques – Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon callistus, Hyphessobrycon serpae) — Seriously Fish

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi – Black Neon Tetra — Seriously Fish

As they have overlapping ranges in the wild, what do you think?


I don't know where you got that from. As long as they are kept in a suitable tank in appropriate numbers per species, all you will see is typical tetra bickering. Tetras are not all cuddly and peaceful, but they are also not monsterfish. Expect a base-level of aggression, and only intraspecies. Some roughed up fins maybe. If anything more serious crops up it's either due to numbers, structure, tanksize or all of these together.

Keep 10 each if the tank dimensions allow for that.

I've heard that serpae are nippers and like to chase other smaller fish. I have only kept them in species tank so I don't have first hand experience of them being aggressive towards other fish.

I only ask because I don't want my black neons to be stressed out all the time.

How big is your tank? I haven't kept either species, though I have some tetras similar to serpaes and they do not cause any trouble. If your tank is big enough to have 10-15 of each I think they should be fine and would look good together as they contrast in shape and colour.. I don't know if they actually occur together in the wild, but they do both occur in the Paraguay drainage which is nice.

Posted before I saw MacZ's answer...

I have a 20 tall
pH: 6.5
The background is planted with stem plants that go all the way to the top and the rest of the tank is free for them to swim (I don't have any hardscape only sand)
It's stocked with 14 black neons.

According to AqAdvisor I can fit to schools of 15 each.

What would you recommend?

 

I have a 20 tall

Ok, stick to the H. herbertaxelrodi, no second species.

According to AqAdvisor I can fit to schools of 15 each.

That site is - pardon - rubbish. Delete the bookmark.

 

Since it's a 20 gallon tank I agree with MacZ to stick with one species, but if other people (with larger tanks) are wondering, while I haven't kept serpae tetras with black neons, I have a dozen or so in a tank with ten pristella tetras with no issues.