Splash Tetra

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Copella arnoldi, commonly known as the Splash Tetra or Splashing Characin, is a unique and fascinating freshwater fish from South America. While it is often called a "tetra" in the aquarium hobby, it is more accurately classified in the family Lebiasinidae, which includes pencilfishes, not the true tetras (Characidae).

The most remarkable thing about Copella arnoldi is its breeding behavior.

Breeding on a Leaf: Unlike most fish that lay eggs in the water, Copella arnoldi leaps out of the water to deposit its eggs on a leaf or other surface hanging just above the water's surface.

A Coordinated Leap: The male and female will select a suitable location, often an overhanging plant leaf. They then simultaneously leap from the water and cling to the underside of the leaf for several seconds, where the female lays a small batch of eggs and the male immediately fertilizes them. This process is repeated several times until 100-200 eggs have been laid.

Parental Care by the Male: After spawning, the male takes on the role of guarding the eggs. He will remain in the water below the leaf and periodically splash water onto the eggs with a flick of his tail. This keeps the eggs moist and prevents them from drying out until they hatch.

Splash Tetras are pretty easy to care as long as they are introduced to a mature, cycled tank. They can acclimate to a wide range of parameters.  The following are our water parameters we keep them at:

Our Tank Water Parameters

PH: 7.2 to 7.5
GH: 7 to 8
KH: 3 to 4
TDS: 180 to 250
Temp: 72 to 75

We feed them a mix of live baby brine shrimp, frozen daphnia and high-quality flake food.