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Copeland's tetra (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) — Characidae

Copeland's tetra

Hyphessobrycon copelandi
Family: Characidae
LC · Least Concern

The Copeland's tetra (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; slow-flowing creeks of the Amazon basin.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Copeland's tetra is a small South American characin of the family Characidae from the Amazon basin. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, partly translucent body with a shining sheen and, in courting males, reddish fins. It stays in slow-flowing waters and counter-current zones of small creeks. As a small omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and plant matter. It is a peaceful schooling fish popular in the aquarium. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Copeland's tetra?

The Copeland's tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Slender, partly translucent small tetra; courting males with reddish fins.

Where does the Copeland's tetra live?

The Copeland's tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America; slow-flowing creeks of the Amazon basin.

How big does the Copeland's tetra get?

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

Is the Copeland's tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Copeland's tetra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Copeland's tetra edible?

The Copeland's tetra is not usually eaten.

More photos

Copeland's tetra (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) — Characidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Lucas Ribeiro Jarduli, Alexander Claro-García, Oscar Akio Shibatta (CC BY 4.0)
Copeland's tetra (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) — Characidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jackson Frost, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Copeland's tetra (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) — Characidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) IPBio - Reserva Jutuarana, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Copeland's tetra (Hyphessobrycon copelandi) — Characidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) IPBio - Reserva Jutuarana, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Copeland's tetra sourced
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon copelandi
Family
Characidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; slow-flowing creeks of the Amazon basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insect larvae and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Slender, partly translucent small tetra; courting males with reddish fins. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hyphessobrycon

More from the family Characidae

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