The fascinating freshwater fish known as Copeina arnoldi, or Arnold’s Copeina, infuses any aquarium with vibrant color and lively movement. These fish, which are native to South America’s serene, shaded streams and rivers, are adored by aquarists for their striking appearance and distinctive habits. They are a wonderful addition to a community tank because of their eye-catching coloring and calm disposition.
The spawning behavior of Arnold’s Copeina is one of its most amazing characteristics. They ensure their offspring are safe from aquatic predators by jumping out of the water to lay their eggs on overhanging leaves, in contrast to many other fish. This amazing adaptation adds excitement for those who keep these fish while showcasing the natural world’s inventiveness.
Arnold’s Copeina grows best in a tank that is densely planted, has lots of hiding places, and has soft, slightly acidic water. They are appropriate for both novice and seasoned aquarists because they are simple to maintain. With the right maintenance and consideration for their unique requirements, these eye-catching fish can thrive in a home aquarium and bring hours of entertainment with their colorful antics.
Habitat
Widely dispersed throughout Brazil, Suriname, and Guiana in the lower Amazon River basin (South America). lives in the flooded tropical forest substrate during high tide, as well as in small streams and river tributaries. Prefers coastal regions with low-lying vegetation.
- Aquarium volume – from 150 l.
- Temperature — 23–28 °C
- pH value — 5.0–7.5 (acidic and slightly acidic)
- Water hardness — soft (5–12 dH)
- Substrate type — any dark
- Lighting — subdued
- Brackish water — no
- Water movement — weak or stagnant
Fish characteristics:
- Size — up to 8 cm.
- Feeding — any
Description
Elongated, short body covered in many scales. In comparison to females, males are longer, slimmer, and have larger fins. The hue is golden-brown. Men have more vibrant colors. The coloring and design may vary slightly depending on the area of origin.
Aquarium enthusiasts often choose Arnold’s Copeina, a colorful and lively freshwater fish with striking colors and an active lifestyle. This fish does best in well-kept aquariums with lots of plants and hiding places so it can interact peacefully with other fish species and show off its natural behaviors. For both novice and expert fish keepers looking to add some color and excitement to their aquarium, Arnold’s Copeina is an easy-to-care-for plant.
Feeding
They eat tiny invertebrates and other zooplankton at the water’s surface in the wild. When they are at home, they will eat any dry food that floats as long as it has protein additives; otherwise, meat food is needed. Fruit flies, brine shrimp, nauplii, and grindal worms can all be used as live food.
A spacious aquarium from 120 liters with rich vegetation, located in groups, and shelters in the form of roots and branches of trees. Floating plants are welcome, but do not allow the surface to become overgrown. Any dark soil with some tree leaves on the bottom, pre-dried. They color the water in a light brown shade, characteristic of the natural habitat. If breeding is planned, then a closed paludarium will be required, filled to ¾ of the volume with plants hanging close to the surface (see below for why this is necessary).
Arnold"s Copeina is sensitive to the hydrochemical composition of water and does not tolerate fluctuations in pH and dH. Optimal conditions are soft acidic or slightly acidic water. Renew once a week by 15-20% during cleaning the soil with a siphon. It is more advisable to carry out water treatment using special reagents that change the composition of the water. Sold in pet stores or online along with test kits (usually in the form of litmus papers).
The minimum set of equipment consists of a filtration system, a heater, a lighting system and aeration.
Behavior
A fish that schools in peace and harmony. Men fight a lot, usually with little damage done to the other. Males compete with females for their attention by displaying the brightest colors, which leads to this kind of competition. When a harem is maintained with one male and several females, it fades and becomes unremarkable. suitable with the majority of calm species. Keeping with large and aggressive species is not permitted.
Breeding/reproduction
The fish has an extremely interesting way of protecting its eggs. They are laid on the leaves of plants hanging over the water. During the courtship period, the male chooses the desired leaf by repeatedly jumping out of the water. Then he invites the female and they make a paired jump. With the help of their ventral fins, they cling to the surface of the leaf, in this position they can hold for up to 10 seconds. At this time, the female attaches eggs, and the male fertilizes them.
About 10-12 eggs are attached during one paired jump, then the procedure is repeated until the female lays about 100-200 eggs. After that, the female no longer takes any part in caring for the offspring and swims away. The male, on the contrary, remains in close proximity and periodically splashes water with his fins and tail, moistening the eggs. He does this for 36 to 72 hours, until the fry appear, which fall into the water with the splashes.
In some cases, the male looks after several females and is forced to maintain several batches of eggs on different leaves, constantly swimming from one to another. After the offspring appear, the parental instinct dries up. The young should be caught and placed in a separate tank with identical water conditions.
Due to the peculiarities of breeding, the presence of above-water plants is mandatory, the leaves should hang over the water no further than 10 cm., it is not necessary that these are live plants, it is allowed to use artificial ones.
| Category | Description |
| Scientific Name | Copeina arnoldi |
| Common Name | Arnold"s Copeina |
| Origin | South America, mainly in the Amazon Basin |
| Size | Up to 7 cm (2.8 inches) |
| Diet | Omnivore – eats both plant material and small invertebrates |
| Water Conditions | pH 5.5-7.5, temperature 23-28°C (73-82°F) |
| Temperament | Peaceful, suitable for community tanks |
| Breeding | Egg-layer, known for jumping out of water to lay eggs on leaves above the water |
A wonderful addition to any freshwater aquarium is the colorful and unique Arnold’s Copeina fish. This species will definitely draw the attention of anyone looking at your tank because of its vivid colors and lively behavior. It’s crucial to keep in mind that Arnold’s Copeina has particular care needs, such as a clean habitat and a well-balanced diet, despite its lovely appearance.
Arnold’s Copeina will flourish in the right conditions with clean water, compatible tank mates, and ample room. Although generally peaceful, this species can act territorially, particularly when mating. An aquarium that is harmonious can be guaranteed by monitoring the interactions amongst fish.
Arnold’s Copeina is a fantastic option for aquarists wishing to add a captivating and eye-catching fish to their collection. This species can add color and life to your aquarium for many years to come with the correct upkeep.
