To serpae or not

R

reiverix

Aye
Sep 4, 2004
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Columbus, OH
I've been reading up on serpaes and am getting conflicting views on their behaviour. Has anyone kept them with mollies or dwarf gouramis? I quite fancy a small shoal of them but not if they are going to wreak havoc in the tank.

That said, my black skirts don't bother anything and I've read that they can also be a bit nippy sometimes.
 
With most aggressive fish (or semi aggressive if you will), aggression seems to be kept in check much better if there is a group of the fish. 5 or more seems to be the standard school of thought. Gouramis can sometimes be tough enough to take care of themselves, but not if ganged up on. If your tank is big enough and has enough hiding spots then it might be worth a try.
 
I haven't kept them with either of those fish but I wouldn't try it with the gourami. They are beautiful fish- but for a teeny little tetra they're pretty aggressive.
 
ash said:
I haven't kept them with either of those fish but I wouldn't try it with the gourami. They are beautiful fish- but for a teeny little tetra they're pretty aggressive.
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Actually Serpae are very large for tetras, the size of tiger barbs. And most dwarf gourami will not attack even small tetras, they may chase them around but generally show little knowledge of their existance, at least IME.
 
My powder blue gourami ignores everything else in the tank including the black skirts. It lives in its own little world but is the only fish in the tank that takes an interest in me and will eat out of my hand. This is the main reason I'm a bit cautious about the serpaes because I wouldn't want them ganging up on him. I think I'll just go for some rummynose, glowlights or some rasboras.

On a completely different subject....yesterday I was trimming some plants and I felt a slight sting on my arm. I slowly lifted my arm out the water and there was a ghost shrimp clinging to me. It was almost like a weak mosquito bite. I guess thats another tank resident who likes me :)
 
I think the differeing expiriences with serpae and black skirts is the size of tank they are kept in.

in tanks 30 gallons roughly or larger there is enough space and room for enough of the species that agression to other species is minimal.

but in a smaller tank they can be ruthless to any fish, constantly taking nips on fins.
 
A few years ago I had a group of serpaes (six, eight, not sure but it was at least six and less than ten) in my 45g. I wanted a peaceful addition, my tank is a source of stress relief for me and the goal is pretty, small, peaceful fish.
In my tank, serpaes behaved like teeny pirhanna. I'd proceed with caution - by all means try them, but make sure you can return them if needed.
 
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