Splash Tetra (Copeina arnoldi) Ultimate Care Guide

• Author: Richard James

Splash Tetras are one of my favorite nano fish. Only reaching around 1.5” (3.5cm) long, Splash Tetras are perfect for those wishing to keep a small aquarium. The most amazing aspect of keeping Splash Tetras is the method with which they breed.

I have been keeping Splash Tetras for around 4 years at this point, and they never cease to amaze me. Splash Tetras are an active, undemanding fish which will happily live either in a small species only tank or as part of a larger community,

Characteristics

Splash Tetra Origins

The Splash Tetra is believed to be widely distributed across the Amazon Basin. Reports show that it has been found in parts of Brazil, Suriname and French Guiana including the Demerara, Essequibo, Suriname and Nickerie and coastal drainages of Guyana. Some of these locations have ‘type locality’ variants of the Splash Tetra which may only be found in those locations.

Map of Splash Tetra Range, Central South America

Splash Tetra Habitat

The Splash Tetras natural habitat is slow moving streams and minor tributaries. The Splash Tetra has also been found in forests which are flooded due to seasonal rains. Splash Tetras are almost always found in areas with lush, overhanging vegetation. Their water is often murky and stained dark by tannins in the water.

What Size Aquarium for Splash Tetra?

For Splash Tetras, surface area seems more important than water volume. I currently keep my Splash Tetras in a 40 gallon aquarium which measures around 3’ (90cm) long, but I do not have it filled all the way. In fact it is probably only filled about two thirds of the way, meaning I have about 25 gallons (100 litres) of water in the aquarium.

---

This video from Hampus Hertzman shows Splash Tetras spawning

---

How Should A Splash Tetra Aquarium Be Set Up?

Splash Tetras need to be kept in a really heavily planted aquarium. My Splash Tetra aquarium has almost the entire bottom of the aquarium covered in Cryptocoryne Wendtii. The addition of roots and wood also make the Splash Tetras feel secure and the hiding places are crucial if you hope to raise baby Splash Tetras.

Splash Tetras like their water dark and moody. I have actively encouraged tannins in my water by adding lots of bogwood and catappa leaves. In the wild their water is a brown, weak tea color. I have also added some floating Water Lettuce to give the Splash Tetras an added feeling of security.

As mentioned above, my Splash Tetra aquarium is only about two thirds full. The final third of the aquarium is filled with artificial plants to give the feeling of overhanging vegetation. This mass of branches and leaves provides the perfect location should my Splash Tetras wish to spawn (see below).

Splash Tetra Behavior in the Aquarium

Splash Tetras are best kept in a species only aquarium, although they will be ok in a very peaceful community setup with other fish. Splash Tetras are incredibly peaceful and will not cause issues for any other fish they live with.

To get the best colors from your Splash Tetras they are best kept in a mixed group of males and females. The males look their best when showing their coloration off to the females. I keep a group of 8 splash tetras and I believe I have 3 males and 5 females. I also keep a small group of Panda Corydoras with my Splash Tetras.

---

This video from Oddball aquatics has a Splash Tetra tour

---

What do Splash Tetras Eat?

Splash Tetras are described as a ‘micro-predator’. In the wild they like to eat tiny crustaceans and waterbourn creatures. In our aquariums we can feed our Splash Tetras live or frozen newly hatched brine shrimp, cyclops or microworms.

I have successfully transitioned my Splash Tetras onto micro pellets and crushed flake food. Small frozen bloodworms are also readily accepted.

Breeding Splash Tetras in Captivity

When it comes to breeding, Splash Tetras are truly unique. During spawning, eggs are deposited on vegetation which overhangs the water. During courtship, both male and female Splash Tetras will leap out of the aquarium and cling onto overhanging vegetation using their pelvic fins. They can remain clinging to the leaves for upto 10 seconds at a time whilst eggs are deposited and fertilized. This process may be repeated until 100-200 eggs have been deposited.

After the eggs have been deposited, the female takes no further part. The male however will stay in the vicinity and, during daylight hours, repeatedly splash the eggs to keep them from drying out. The male continues to keep the eggs moist for 36-72 hours until the fry hatch and drop into the water. At this point all parental care stops and the fry are on their own.

I have so far not succeeded in breeding my Splash Tetras, but I am forever hopeful.

In Conclusion

Splash Tetras are a fascinating fish to keep and watch. Their unique reproductive behavior alone makes them worth keeping, but they are a bright colorful fish that never gets boring to watch, I can not recommend them enough.

---

Other Articles of Interest

• Blue Spotted Hill Trout Ultimate Guide

  

  • Richard James

• Fahaka Puffer Ultimate Care Guide

  

  • Richard James

• Silver Tip Tetra Ultimate Care Guide

  

  • Richard James

• African Freshwater Pipefish Ultimate Care Guide

  

  • Richard James

• Bucktooth Tetra Ultimate Care Guide

  

  • Richard James

• Bumblebee Goby Ultimate Care Guide

  

  • Richard James

---

Article Sources

• seriouslyfish.com/species/copella-arnoldi/
• wikipedia.org/wiki/Copella_arnoldi
• fishbase.de/summary/10741
• iucnredlist.org/