Red Minor Tetras versus Red Phantom Tetras

Hi guys,

I thought I had red phantom tetras, but I actually have red minor tetras. Aren’t they the same species? 5 of my tetras are longfin red minor tetras...does it really matter?

Thanks

 

They aren't the same species. Red minors (serpae tetras) are H. eques, red phantoms are H. sweglesi. Tetras will do best when with their own species. Serpaes have more of a reputation as being fin nippers when kept in lower numbers. How do they act together?

 

There are 7. They school well....5 long fin and 2 regular fin

 

There are 7. They school well....5 long fin and 2 regular fin

So 5 serpaes and 2 red phantoms? Ideally they would have be in a group of their own.

 

I thought they were all serpae tetras...all red minors...no red phantoms. When I bought them, they were all red minor tetras...does the fin length make a difference?

 

If they are all serpae tetras then they should be just fine together, whether they are long finned or not, as they are the same species. The longer fins will be easier to nip, but as long as serpae tetras are in a decent group they are often fine.