Black Bellied Limia (Limia melanogaster)
| Black Bellied Limia Limia melanogaster | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Black Bellied Limia |
| Name Lat. | Limia melanogaster |
| Synonym | Poecilia melanogaster |
| Family | Livebearers |
| Family lat. | Poeciliidae |
| Order | Killifishes & Livebearers |
| Order lat. | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Origin | Central America |
| Habitat | Streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.5-8.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Livebearer |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 4-6 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Hardness | 20-30 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 120 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.6"-2.4" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Hardness | 356-534 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 30 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the Jamaica Carps is Jamaica and Haiti. They live in the clear water of small, slow flowing waters with dense underwater vegetation, where they usually occur in shoals.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a partly dense edge planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate, some shaded light (floating plants) and slightly alkaline, medium to hard water with a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as algae leaves or commercial green food (spirulina, kelp)
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
These peaceful and lively fish should be kept in a group of at least 6-8, with females predominating. They can be well socialized with peaceful fish such as other livebearers, Corydoras, etc.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The smaller males become more high-backed as they age and have an anal fin (gonopodium) that has been converted to a mating organ. The females are larger and appear rounder.
Reproduction and breeding
They are live-bearing fish. Internal fertilization is provided by the male's gonopodium. After about 6-8 weeks of gestation, 20-50 fry are born. They are already fully developed and independent at birth. After filling their swim bladder at the water surface, they can immediately start feeding.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, dust food). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
Soft water is not tolerated well on a permanent basis, so the addition of sea salt (mineral salt) from the pet store to harden the water is recommended for soft water.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the contaminant level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF