Splash Tetra
A shoal of subtly beautiful Splash Tetras makes for a great addition to peaceful, planted softwater aquariums and paludariums. Whilst they may not be as flamboyantly coloured as some species, they more than make up for this with their absolutely fascinating breeding behaviour. In the wild, Splash Tetras are found in small sluggish blackwater tributaries and quiet river channels off of the main waterways, typically with an abundance of overhanging vegetation. They have also been known to move into flooded forests during the rainy season. The aquarium should be mature, water movement gentle, and the tank furnished with driftwood and plenty of plant life. Peat filtration would be very beneficial. Ideally they should be kept in a tank with a significantly lowered water level or a paludarium type set up (see notes on breeding below) with plants that grow out of the water with leaves draping above the water’s surface. This will enable them to behave in a natural manner when ready to spawn. As these fish are accomplished jumpers, the aquarium must have tight fitting coverslides with no escape holes where equipment might feed in to the tank (holes can be blocked with bits of coarse filter sponge). As a shoaling species, Splash Tetras are best maintained in good sized groups; six specimens at the minimum and 10+ being much better. Due to their relatively small adult size, care must be taken when considering tankmates. They are easily intimidated by boisterous fish and should not be housed with anything that would consider them a snack. Good companions would include smaller species of Corydoras catfish, dwarf cichlids, pencilfish, and other small blackwater tetras.
- Species – Copella arnoldi
- Common Name – Splash Tetra
- Origin – Brazil, Columbia, and Peru in South America
- Diet – Omnivore
- PH Range – Alkaline 6.5 – 7
- Temperature – Tropical 26-28°c
- Breed Type – egg scatterer
- Maximum Size – approximately 6cm
- Sex – Un-sexed
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