• Scientific name: Corynopoma riisei
• Common name: Swordtail characin
• Synonyms: Corynopoma albipinne, C. aliata, C. seariesi, C. veedoni, Nematopoma searlesi, Stevardia albipinnis, S. aliata, S. riisei
• Group: Characins
• Habitat: South America; Rio Meta, Venezuela, Trinidad and Colombia
• Size: 6-7 cm
• Biotope: Inhabiting coastal rivers and tributaries.
• Social behavior: A peaceful, shoaling fish, ideal for community tanks.
• Diet: Omnivorous, flake and all types of live foods.
• Breeding: Quite easy
• Tank: Minimum 80 litres
• Population: 6 fishes for 100 litres
• Decoration: Densely planted tank, not too small, with lots of light( a bit of sunlight is recommended) and plenty of open space for swimming.
• Temperature: 22-25°C
• pH: 6-8
• Hardness: 3-12 NK°
• Lifespan: 3-5 years

Description: A good quarantine period is essential since the fishes are prone to disease. Sturdy, once acclimated. Male specimens develop the elongated caudal fin that give rise to the common name of the species. The dorsal, anal and pectoral fins of males also become extended, with the anal fin possessing small hooks. emales do not develop these fin extensions and as with most small characins, sexually mature individuals usually appear rounder in the belly than males.

A 40 or 60 cm breeding tank will suffice. Raise the temperature to 24-28 degrees. The fish will become very active prior to mating. A single mating is sufficient to produce several spawns. The male will start displaying in front of the female, and if she is willing, he will start to circle around her. During this "dance' the male will protrude it's gillcovers until they are at a 90 degree angle with the female, and are vibrated in front of the female. Milt is implanted in the oviduct and as the eggs are laid, they are fertilized without a male present. The fry hatch after 20 to 36 hours. Feed artemia (Brine shrimp), finely ground flake-food and liquid foods. In earlier days their distinctive breeding behavior made them favorites, but now, in a time of colored fishes, the Swordtail characin is not as popular. Swordtail characin fry have a silvery coloration with metallic blue, orange and pink shades.