Finding a centerpiece fish for my 37-gallon community tank

[boomer]

I think you're running your tank a bit too warm for the neons, 79 degrees is a bit too toasty for them. 77 degrees is more like it, max.

The issue with keeping serpae tetras in small groups is a very real one. When you have a naturally aggressive species like this, and you keep them in groups of four, you're almost guaranteed to see aggression eventually. It's a scientific fact that shoaling fish in groups of three and five are more aggressive than they would be in a group of ten.

I'm not saying that your serpae tetras will definitely turn aggressive, but the likelihood is there. It's hard to say why some fish don't behave according to their natural inherent behaviors, but we do know that keeping them in smaller groups can contribute to aggression. Animals can be affected by all sorts of things, resulting in non-normal behavior. So, it's always best to assume the norm for a species, rather than hoping they'll be an exception.

The temperature range for serpae tetras is 72-82F, and some sources suggest that keeping them at the lower end of this range can reduce fin nipping issues. They're native to South America, and are found in the Amazon, Parana, Guapore, and Paraguay River basins.

One thing that's worth noting is that the behavior of serpae tetras can be unpredictable. Keeping them in large groups and in larger tanks can help to reduce aggression, but it's not a guarantee. There's also some evidence to suggest that commercially bred serpae tetras may be more aggressive than wild-caught fish, due to decades of inbreeding. This inbreeding may also be responsible for the loss of the dark shoulder or humeral patch that's characteristic of wild-caught serpae tetras.

[oceanlover]

So I'm on the hunt for a centerpiece fish that's super chill and won't bother my other guys. I've got a 37-gallon tank with sand and river rocks on the bottom, some spiderwood decor, and it's packed with plants.

My current crew is:
- 4 serpae tetras
- 2 black mollies
- 1 neon tetra (getting 4 more soon)
- 1 nerite snail
So far, zero aggression in the tank, which is awesome.

I'm looking for something that's gonna pop with color and draw your eye in. I thought maybe a honey gourami, but I'm not sure.

My tank's at 79 degrees, and I've got two bubble filters running to keep the oxygen levels up. The tank's pretty tall and vertical, too.

I'll throw up a pic of the tank, and with all this in mind... what fish species would be a great fit as the star of the show?!

I'd recommend getting at least two honey gouramis, they're social fish and having them in pairs will make for a more interesting display.

[Snout]

I found @boomer's insight into the complexities of serpae species quite enlightening. Upon reviewing the initial post, I must admit that the fish depicted don't immediately strike me as serpae tetras, rather they resemble Hyphessobrycon. Beyond that, the identification becomes murky. I wouldn't categorically label them as serpae, particularly given the OP's observation of their peaceful nature.

[navline]

@sSjey hit the nail on the head. I completely agree with the need for a larger school of neon tetras - a minimum of 10 is essential, but having a few more can only be beneficial for their overall well-being. The serpae tetras, on the other hand, are a recipe for disaster in this setup. Their fin nipping tendencies make them a poor match for your tank, and I would strongly consider rehoming them as soon as possible. A peaceful, laid-back fish like a gourami would be a poor match for the serpae tetras, and it's best to avoid any potential conflicts.

Thanks, I've got a lot to consider now.