Copeina Splashing Tetra

The Copella arnoldi, or splashing tetra, is a pretty, slender schooling fish from northern South America. Splashing tetras get their name from their breeding behavior. The male and female jump out of the water and land together on low leaves. They then breed and fertilize the eggs and jump back into the stream.

These tetras are great community fish, but there should be a cover on the fish tank in case a couple of them get in the mood. These tetras are fast swimmers and range over the whole aquarium. Males get a bright, fringed, large dorsal fin.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them plants along the back and sides, open swimming space in front and a dark substrate, which brings out their color. Keep a lid on the tank, since tetras can jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or small pellet once or twice a day, only as much as they eat in a couple of minutes. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They get along with most peaceful community fish of similar size, such as other tetras, rasboras, danios, corydoras, dwarf cichlids, gouramis and livebearers.

Good to know: Tetras feel safer and show better color in a group. A larger school also spreads out any chasing.