Splash Tetra

Copella arnoldi

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characiformes›Lebiasinidae

📍 Lower Amazon & Guiana, South America

Famous for its unique spawning behaviour — pairs leap out of water together and deposit eggs on overhanging leaves, which the male then splashes with water to keep moist. A must-have lid is non-negotiable.

Size3"

Min Tank20g

School4+

peaceful

Zonetop

Care Guide

Diet

Splash Tetras are omnivores that readily consume high-quality flake foods, micro pellets, and small frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia. They naturally feed on small insects and zooplankton, so offering varied frozen foods 2-3 times weekly enhances coloration and health. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes.

Behavior

These peaceful, schooling fish are most active at the water surface and in the upper tank zones where they hunt for insects. They are social and should be kept in groups of at least 4 to exhibit natural behavior and reduce stress. Males are territorial during spawning but otherwise non-aggressive toward other species.

Breeding

Breeding Splash Tetras in captivity is moderately challenging but rewarding. Pairs require calm conditions, low light, and overhanging leaves or plants just above the waterline where they perform their famous synchronized jumping behavior to deposit eggs. Males guard and splash eggs with water for 24-36 hours until fry drop into the water; remove parents after hatching to prevent predation.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Peaceful bottom-dweller that won't compete for surface food; shares similar water parameters

excellent

Neon Tetra

Compatible schooling fish with identical water requirements and peaceful temperament

excellent

Rummy Nose Tetra

Similar size, peaceful behavior, and preference for soft acidic water

excellent

Corydoras Duplicareus

Gentle catfish that occupies bottom zone without interfering with surface-feeding tetras

good

Dwarf Gourami

Generally peaceful but can be territorial; monitor for aggression during breeding season

caution

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, flashing against surfaces

Treatment

Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 7-10 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stocking density, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure good filtration and stable parameters

Neon Tetra Disease

Symptoms

Loss of coloration, curved spine, erratic swimming, lethargy, progressive wasting

Treatment

No cure available; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, euthanize severely affected individuals to prevent transmission

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Open sores, red streaks on body, swollen belly, torn fins, loss of appetite

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, maintain temperature at 26-27°C, improve water quality and reduce stress