Red-spotted tetra

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep a small group in a roomy tank with open swimming space and a secure lid, since they are active and will jump. They are mostly peaceful but boisterous, so choose robust rather than timid tankmates. Males color up strongly and spar during spawning.

In the wild

Found in the middle Amazon in streams and flooded areas, often near the surface in open water. It is an adaptable fish that copes with a range of conditions. Males become boldly spotted and colorful in the breeding season.

Good to know

Copeina guttata is one of the larger members of the family Lebiasinidae, the males studded with rows of red spots and reaching around 10 cm. Unlike egg scattering tetras, it digs a shallow pit in the substrate and guards the eggs. Fishbase lists a maximum standard length near 7.6 cm, though aquarium fish are often reported a little larger.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Splash tetra

  Copella arnoldi

  2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 18 gal (70 L)

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)18 gal (70 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)

• 

  Purple pencilfish

  Nannostomus rubrocaudatus

  1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)

  1.2 in (3 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Golden pencilfish

  Nannostomus beckfordi

  2.4 in (6 cm) · 18 gal (70 L)

  2.4 in (6 cm)18 gal (70 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)

• 

  Harrison's pencilfish

  Nannostomus harrisoni

  2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)

  2.2 in (5.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Spotted pyrrhulina

  Pyrrhulina spilota

  2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)

  2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Marilyn's pencilfish

  Nannostomus marilynae

  2 in (5 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)

  2 in (5 cm)14 gal (54 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)