Hasemania nana, often called copper tetra or silvertip tetra, is a small, very active South American characid, known for its metallic copper coat and light fin tips. Robust, undemanding and always on the move, it instantly brings life and colour to well-planted community aquariums.

Origin & habitat

This species is native to Brazil, where it mainly inhabits the Rio São Francisco basin. It is found in rivers and streams with light to moderate currents, vegetated margins and submerged roots and branches. The water is generally clear to slightly tinted, well oxygenated, with a sandy-gravel substrate.

Description & sexual dimorphism

• Adult size: around 4-5 cm
• Lifespan: 4 to 6 years in good conditions
• Body: spindle-shaped, slender, without adipose fin (unlike many other grouse)
• Colour: coppery to golden all over the body, dark line along the caudal peduncle
• Fins: whitish tips, especially visible on the caudal, dorsal and anal fins

Males are generally more colourful, with more intense copper highlights and marked contrasts. Females are slightly stockier, with a paler shade of yellow-brown.

Recommended water parameters

• Temperature: 23-28°C
• pH: 6.0 to 7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly basic)
• Hardness: around 2-15 °dGH (soft to moderately hard water)
• Conductivity: low to medium, clean, well-oxygenated water

Like many tetras, it appreciates stable water and good maintenance habits: regular water changes (20-30% per week) and effective filtration, without excessive current.

Aquarium maintenance

• Minimum recommended volume: from 80-100 litres with a front length of at least 60 cm.
• Decor: dark substrate, roots, stones and densely planted areas at the sides and rear
• Swimming area: especially the middle area, needing a large, clear space for bench swimming
• Lighting: medium to bright; overly bright lighting can be softened by floating plants

A decor combining stemmed plants (Rotala, Ludwigia, Hygrophila, etc.), background plants and a few floating plants will bring out its copper highlights particularly well.

Behaviour & cohabitation

Hasemania nana is a very active schooling fish. It is essential to keep it in groups of at least 8 to 10 individuals, ideally more, to limit stress and disperse dominance behaviour between males.

• Character: generally peaceful but lively, sometimes a little 'teasing' with the fins of other fish if the group is too small.
• Ideal mates: other small characids, rasboras, danios, corydoras, small loricarids, robust shrimps.
• Avoid: fish with large fins (sailfish, scalaria, bettas, Chinese sailfish) that can get pinched.

In a well-sized community aquarium, with enough people and hiding places, copper tetras are dynamic, not shy and very interesting to watch.

Diet

An opportunistic omnivore, Hasemania nana accepts a wide range of foods:

• Dry food: quality flakes or micro-granules for tropical fish.
• Live/frozen supplements: artemia, daphnia, mosquito larvae, cyclops, which intensify colours.
• Plant-based: food containing algae (spirulina) or a few finely chopped poached vegetables (spinach, courgette).

Give them 2 to 3 small meals a day, eaten in a few minutes, to maintain good water quality and vitality.

Reproduction in an aquarium

Reproduction is possible for motivated aquarists. It is a free-laying fish that spreads its eggs among fine plants or spawning mops.

• Dedicated breeding tank (20-40 L), soft, slightly acidic water, subdued lighting.
• Protective substrate: plants with fine leaves (Java moss, Ceratophyllum) or screens to prevent the parents from reaching the eggs.
• Remove adults after laying to avoid predation.
• Eggs generally hatch in 24-36 hours; fry swim freely after a few days and then accept infusoria, followed by artemia nauplia.

Aquabota tips

• Keep a large shoal to channel their energy and see them behave naturally.
• Moderate light and a dark background will bring out their magnificent copper colouring.
• Pair them with calm fish of a similar size and avoid long-finned species.
• Stable parameters, clean, well-oxygenated water = hardier fish, brighter colours.

Quick facts

• Scientific name: Hasemania nana
• Common names: copper tetra, Silvertip tetra
• Origin: Brazil (Rio São Francisco basin)
• Adult size: 4-5 cm
• Swimming area: middle of the tank
• Temperature: 23-28°C
• pH: 6.0-7.8
• Hardness: 2-15 dGH
• Behaviour: gregarious, active, sometimes claws fins if kept in too small a group
• For aquarists: beginners to advanced

Shipping & delivery of your live fish

Our Hasemania nana are prepared with the greatest care in our Aquabota fishroom. Each fish is selected, acclimatised and observed before shipping to ensure optimum health.

• Packaging: oxygenated bags, insulated in crates specially designed for live transport.
• Transport: express delivery via specialised carriers, l