Trout Copeina

Adults reach a length of approximately 7 cm. Sexual dimorphism is rather weakly expressed. The main coloration is silvery, adorned with rows of red dots. The fins, as well as the tail, with the exception of the dorsal fin, have a pinkish tint. This pattern, along with the body shape, gives this fish a resemblance to river trout, which is why it received its name.

This species originates from South America, inhabiting the upper and middle basins of the Amazon River, covering the territories of modern Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Its habitat consists of numerous rivers picturesquely flowing through tropical forests.

This species is generally peaceful, however, during spawning and incubation, males become aggressive, actively defending their offspring. Keeping other fish with a male/female pair is only permissible in aquariums larger than 200 liters. At other times, they are quite compatible with calm species of similar or slightly larger size.

A pair of adult individuals requires an aquarium of at least 150 liters. The Trout Copeina can significantly alter the aquarium's interior, especially during the spawning period. Therefore, when decorating, it is recommended to use sturdy root plants or ferns, which should be placed near snags or tree roots, securely anchored in a sandy substrate. Optimal conditions for keeping are achieved in slightly acidic water with low carbonate hardness at temperatures up to 28°C. These fish are extremely sensitive to the accumulation of organic waste, so weekly partial water changes (20–25% of the total volume) are mandatory, along with regular cleaning of the substrate and aquarium walls. Standard equipment includes a filtration and aeration system, lighting fixtures, and a heater. Equipment settings should provide subdued light and moderate or weak current.

The basis of their daily diet consists of live or frozen foods, such as bloodworms, daphnia, artemia, and other similar products. It is important to supplement them with dry food in the form of flakes or granules containing vegetable additives.

Trout Copeinas show amazing responsibility in their parental duties. During the breeding season, the male prepares a nest by digging a small pit in the soft substrate and persistently invites females to it. Sometimes these courtships turn into pursuit, and if the female is not ready, she may try to hide from her suitor in a shelter. After the eggs are laid, the male takes on their protection, driving away anyone who might pose a threat. His care is also expressed in constantly fanning the eggs with his fins to ensure better gas exchange and thoroughly cleaning the clutch from any contamination. Fry hatch on the second or third day. From this moment, parental instincts begin to weaken, and to protect the offspring, it is advisable to transfer them to a separate tank with identical water conditions.

A balanced aquarium ecosystem, providing conditions suitable for the specific species, serves as the best protection against various diseases. If signs of illness are detected (such as unusual behavior, skin rashes, etc.), the first step should be to check the water quality and its parameters, and only then proceed with treatment. Often, simply bringing the keeping conditions to optimal values is enough to successfully resolve the problem.

When selecting individuals, attention should be paid to their activity, clean skin, and absence of visible fin damage. Healthy fish should show natural curiosity and not exhibit signs of emaciation or unnatural behavior, such as constantly staying near the surface or attempting to burrow into the substrate. Avoid purchasing fish from aquariums where dead individuals are present or signs of mass diseases are observed, as the species is sensitive to environmental quality and tolerates transport stress poorly. It is desirable to acquire specimens that are already adapted to the proposed diet.