Fish
Splash Tetra
Copella arnoldi
Origin: The splash tetra inhabits the lower Amazon basin and coastal rivers of the Guianas in South America. It lives in shallow forest streams and backwaters with soft, acidic water, overhanging vegetation, and shade.
Also known as: Jumping tetra, Copella arnoldi
Fact sheet
- Size
- 7 cm
- Lifespan
- 4 years
- Minimum tank size
- 75 L
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C
- pH
- 5–7
- Hardness GH
- 1–8 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 6+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Top
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- Yes
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
The splash tetra is a small surface-dwelling characin famous for its unique breeding method: the pair leaps out of the water and lays eggs on a leaf or other surface ABOVE the water, after which the male regularly splashes the clutch to keep it from drying out. It is a peaceful, schooling fish of the upper layers and an excellent jumper. Keep it in a group in a tank with an open surface, overhanging plants, and absolutely a tight lid. An interesting and unusual species for a soft-water community tank.
Appearance
The body is slender and elongated, 6–8 cm long (males larger). Colour is beige-gold with reddish fins and a dark band through the eye. Males have elongated dorsal and tail fins with white and red edging. When spawning and displaying, males are brighter and larger. The mouth is upturned, adapted to taking food from the surface.
Care
A tank of at least 75 L with a large surface area, a low-to-medium water level, overhanging and floating plants, and ABSOLUTELY a tight lid — the fish jump and need a surface above the water to spawn. Temperature 23–29 °C, pH 5.0–7.0, hardness GH 1–8. Soft water and calm flow are needed.
Feeding
An omnivore feeding at the surface. It takes small flakes and live or frozen fruit flies, small insects, daphnia, and brine shrimp nauplii. It is especially keen to take food from the surface. Feed once or twice daily in small portions.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling fish of the upper layers. It mixes well with small characins, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and corydoras. Avoid tankmates that compete for the surface. Keep in groups of at least 6–8.
Breeding
The famous out-of-water spawning: the pair leaps together and sticks eggs to a leaf or glass above the waterline. The male stays nearby and splashes the clutch with its tail every few minutes to keep it moist. After 2–3 days the fry hatch and drop into the water.
Fun facts
Spawning above water protects the eggs from aquatic predators — a very rare strategy among fish. The male can splash the clutch for dozens of hours on end. The name splash tetra comes precisely from this behaviour.