Page 159 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

LIVEBEARERS 157

Heterandria formosa Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus Poecilia melanogaster
Least Killifish Two-Spot Livebearer Blackbelly Limia

ORIGINS North America, where it is restricted to the ORIGINS Central America, from Mexico southward to ORIGINS The Caribbean, where it is restricted to the
state of South Carolina. parts of Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. island of Jamaica.
SIZE 1 ⁄4 in (4.5 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm).
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DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Prepared foods and small live foods. DIET Prepared foods, plant matter, and small live foods.
WATER Temperature 61–77°F (16–25°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); hard WATER Temperature 72–82°F (22–28°C); hard
(100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral (pH 7.0). (150–200 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.5).
TEMPERAMENT Social and nonaggressive. TEMPERAMENT Aggressive. TEMPERAMENT Males often harass partners.
Female These fish are often brownish-yellow, and many Bluish body color is characteristic of these
of the scales have darker borders. A dark spot is livebearers. They can be kept in groups, ideally
evident on the caudal fin. The male is smaller containing more females than males (to prevent
and can be identified by his gonopodium. individual females from being chased constantly
Females may produce more than 100 fry every by would-be partners). Algal growth in the tank
two months. After giving birth, the females must is beneficial because it supplements the diet.
be removed, or they will eat their offspring. Blackbelly Limias are not prolific breeders; the
Variable black markings Silvery-white
on the dorsal and anal fins underparts females produce no more than 25 fry every six
weeks or so after reaching maturity.
A broad but uneven black stripe running down the
sides of the body, and an obvious black Anal fin extension
blotch on the dorsal fin, help to identify this called the gonopodium
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tiny fish. The males, which are just ⁄4 in (2
cm) long, rank among the smallest of all Male
vertebrates. Breeding is straightforward, but
instead of giving birth to her brood of up to 20
fry all at once, the female produces offspring
over an extended period of two weeks. A tank for Female
Least Killifish needs to be densely planted.
Poecilia nigrofasciata
ALL-SEEING EYES
Black-Barred Limia develop a hump on their heads as they grow older.
They also have a narrow keel, which extends The surface-dwelling Four-Eyes (see
ORIGINS The Caribbean, where it is restricted to the back on the underside of the body between the opposite) is so called because each pupil
Haitian part of Hispaniola. anal and caudal fins. Like related species, Black- is divided into two parts. This adaptation
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). Barred Limias will take a wide variety of foods enables the Four-Eyes to see simultaneously
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DIET Prepared foods, plant matter, and small live foods. and benefit from vegetable matter in their diet. both above and below the waterline,
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); hard Females have relatively large broods, producing alerting it to feeding opportunities and
(100–150 mg/l) and alkaline (pH 7.1). as many as 50 fry at a time; broods are born predators in either environment. The eyes
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful by nature. every six weeks or so. The percentage of male are positioned high on the head, so the fish
offspring apparently increases when females can lie in the water with the rest of its body
The distinctive black barring on the body of this are kept at higher temperatures. submerged, rather like a crocodilian. In the
livebearer shows best under bright light. The body wild it occasionally clambers out of the water
coloration itself is variable, although it tends to be to rest on rocks, and it should be given the
yellowish, especially around the head. Mature opportunity to do this in the aquarium, too.
males, which are slightly smaller than females,

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