Breeding the splashing tetra
Spawns out of the water: the pair leap together onto an overhanging leaf or the cover glass and cling there while eggs are laid; the male then guards the eggs and splashes them with his tail to keep them moist.
Step by step
Keep a pair or group; the male leaps with the female to lay eggs on leaves above the water.
40-60 L tank with a tight lid, 5-10 cm of water level and an overhanging leaf or glass pane, soft acidic water.
Warm soft water and live food; males guard and splash the eggs.
10-12 eggs per leap, repeated until the female is spent, for a total brood of usually 100-200; eggs hatch after 36-72 hours and the fry drop into the water.
After 3 days the male splashes eggs with water; fry fall into the water and eat infusoria then brine shrimp.
- No lid or overhang
- Hard water
- Disturbing the male
Male or female
Males grow significantly larger than females, with longer fins and brighter colours; nuptial males may show a broad dark band behind the gill cover.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Good for a first breeding project.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for other egg layers
- Day 0Spawning
See the species guide for the details.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
See the species guide for the details.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.