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Vilma's splash tetra (Copella vilmae) — Lebiasinidae

Vilma's splash tetra

Copella vilmae
Family: Lebiasinidae

The Vilma's splash tetra (Copella vilmae) is a freshwater fish of the family Lebiasinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Vilma's splash tetra is a small characin (Lebiasinidae) from blackwater streams and flooded forest of the Amazon basin in Peru in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate, yellow-brown body with a fine dark longitudinal stripe and a superior mouth. As a calm fish of the upper layer it snaps at insects, larvae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Vilma's splash tetra?

The Vilma's splash tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Vilma's splash tetra live?

The Vilma's splash tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Vilma's splash tetra get?

The Vilma's splash tetra grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Vilma's splash tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Vilma's splash tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Vilma's splash tetra edible?

Yes, the Vilma's splash tetra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vilmas spatzalm sourced
English name
Vilma's splash tetra sourced
Scientific name
Copella vilmae
Family
Lebiasinidae
Other names
Rainbow copella sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Copella

More from the family Lebiasinidae

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