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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
Range
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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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. South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru

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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Redspotted tetra edible?

Yes, the Redspotted tetra is commonly eaten.

More photos

Redspotted tetra (Copeina guttata) — Lebiasinidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Redspotted tetra (Copeina guttata) — Lebiasinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) arthurlk11, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redspotted tetra (Copeina guttata) — Lebiasinidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
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All data

Identification

English name
Redspotted tetra sourced
Scientific name
Copeina guttata
Family
Lebiasinidae
Other names
Redspotted copeina; Red-spotted copeina; Redspotted tetra; Red spotted characin 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
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Lebiasinidae

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