Lebiasinidae

The Lebiasinidae family, also known as pencil fishes, is a group of freshwater fish found in Central and South America. These fish are characterized by toothed jaws and typically possess an adipose fin. They exhibit a wide range of sizes, from small cave fish to larger, salmon-like species.1

While many characins, a related group, scatter their eggs, the spraying characin (Copeina arnoldi), a member of the Lebiasinidae family, exhibits unique reproductive behavior. The male splashes water onto eggs deposited out of water on overhanging leaves to keep them moist. Some species within this family are popular in aquariums due to their small size, vibrant colors, and lively, unaggressive nature. The classification of these groups can vary, with some authorities considering them distinct families while others group them as subfamilies of the larger Characidae family.1