Edit Copella nattereri

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Name

Scientific name

Copella nattereri

Described by

Authority Steindachner, Year 1876, Bracketed

Family

Lebiasinidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 9 credited

Summary

Copella nattereri is a small lebiasinid widespread in the middle and upper Amazon drainage in Peru and Brazil. It is sometimes traded as C.…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

45mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–28°C, pH 4–7

Hardness

1–5dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Peru, Amazon, Corrientes, Curuá, Curucamba, Curupira, Marañón, Nanay, Negro, Purus, Solimões, Trombetas, Ucayali

Writing

Etymology

Copella: a diminutive of the generic name Copeina which was named for naturalist Edward Drinker Cope (1840-1897). nattereri: named for Austrian naturalist Joha…

Distribution

This species is widespread in the middle and upper Amazon river drainage, including its major tributaries, in Peru and Brazil. The type series was collected fr…

Habitat

Mostly inhabits forest streams and minor tributaries, and often occurs in flooded forests during periods of high water. Its most-favoured habitats are characte…

Aquarium size

Surface dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the minimum considered for long-term care although smaller aquaria can be used for breeding.

Maintenance

Best kept in a densely-planted aquarium or paludarium with some overhanging vegetation, roots or branches important if you wish to raise fry alongside the adul…

Best kept in a densely-planted aquarium or paludarium with some overhanging vegetation, roots or branches important if you wish to raise fry alongside the adults (see 'Reproduction').

Floating vegetation is also useful since this species appears to prefer relatively dim conditions and spends much of its time in the upper part of the water column.

The addition of dried leaf litter further emphasises the natural feel and as well as offering additional cover for the fish brings with it the growth of microbe colonies as decomposition occurs.

These can provide a valuable secondary food source for fry and the tannins and other chemicals released by the decaying leaves are also considered beneficial for fishes from blackwater environments. Alder cones may also be used for the latter purpose.

The water should be well-oxygenated with a little surface agitation advisable.

Do not add this fish to a biologically immature aquarium as it can be susceptible to swings in water chemistry.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Probably a micropredator feeding on tiny invertebrates and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will accept dried foods of a suitable size but shoul…

Behaviour and compatibility

Peaceful but somewhat unsuitable for the general community aquarium. It’s perhaps best-maintained alongside similarly-sized characids, gasteropelecids, lebiasi…

Sexual dimorphism

Males grows significantly larger, develop more-extended fins and are more intensely-coloured than females, while the latter are noticeably rounder-bodied, espe…

Reproduction

This species deposits its eggs among vegetation, these being guarded by the male during incubation. In a mature set-up it's possible that small numbers of fry …

Notes

This species is sometimes traded as C. sp. 'red line', 'spotted tetra' or as its congener C. nigrofasciata. It looks very similar to C. nigrofasciata but can b…

References

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References