[Ebook] 500 freshwater aquarium fish – Livebeavers – Black-barred Livebearer (Quintana atrizona)

When it is in peak condition, the Black-barred Livebearer is a delightful species with vertical black body bars, black patches in the dorsal fin, light blue in the pelvic and anal fins, and a silvery chest and belly. This small species can be kept in very small tanks—in fact, in aquaria that are too large, Black-barred Livebearers have a tendency toward dwarfism.

Other common name

• Barred Topminnow

Family

• Poeciliidae

Subfamily

• Poeciliinae

Distribution

• Western Cuba.

Size

• Males up to 1 in (2.5cm); females up to 1 1/2n (4cm).

Behavior

• Retiring shoaler. Must not be kept with boisterous tankmates.

Diet

• Livefoods preferred, but other diets accepted; a vegetable component is recommended.

Aquarium

• Densely planted, with surface vegetation and little water movement. Clean, slightly alkaline, medium-hard water is preferred. Temperature range: 75-82 F (24-28 C).

Breeding

• Broods numbering on average around 25-30 fry are produced every 5-8 weeks.