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Redspotted tetra (Copeina guttata) — Lebiasinidae

Redspotted tetra

Copeina guttata
Family: Lebiasinidae

The Redspotted tetra (Copeina guttata) is a freshwater fish of the family Lebiasinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The redspotted tetra is a characin (Lebiasinidae) from slow-flowing fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body on which rows of red spots light up in males. As a lively fish of the upper layer it snaps at insects falling on the water, larvae and small zooplankton. Remarkably it lays its eggs in a pit on the bottom and guards them. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redspotted tetra?

The Redspotted tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Redspotted tetra live?

The Redspotted tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Redspotted tetra get?

The Redspotted tetra grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Redspotted tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Redspotted tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Redspotted tetra edible?

Yes, the Redspotted tetra is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gevlekte spatzalm sourced
English name
Redspotted tetra sourced
Scientific name
Copeina guttata
Family
Lebiasinidae
Other names
Redspotted copeina; Red-spotted copeina; Redspotted tetra verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

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

More from the family Lebiasinidae

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