More info
H. eques is notorious as an aggressive community dweller with a reputation for nipping the fins of tankmates, although this behavior tends to be more pronounced when insufficient numbers are purchased or space is limited.
That said, it is relatively turbulent and is not an ideal companion for very shy, slow-moving or long-finned fish such as many livebearers, cichlids, and anabantoids.
Be careful with the Tetra Serpae
As currently understood (see below), H. eques has a huge distribution in much of the Amazonian drainage in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, in addition to the Paraguay River in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, the upper part of which is connected to the Amazon via the Guaporé River. .
The type locality is 'Villa Bella, Óbidos', referring to the town of that name on the Amazon River in the state of Pará, Brazil, located between Santarém and Oriximiná.
Wild populations vary in color pattern depending on origin, especially in the fins plus the size and shape of the humeral spot, and some populations have previously been described as species in their own right (see 'Synonyms'),
It is possible that some or all of these names will be restored in the future, as only H. eques is currently valid.
