Home · Lebiasinidae · Vilma's splash tetra
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
Range
South America: Brazil
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Vilma's splash tetra?

Get the app

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. South America: Brazil

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. 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 Vilma's splash tetra edible?

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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Vilma's splash tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Vilma's splash tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

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
Natural range
South America: Brazil 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

Same genus Copella

More from the family Lebiasinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Vilma's splash tetra?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Vilma's splash tetra is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Vilma's splash tetra? Get the app