Cauca Molly (Poecilia caucana)
| Cauca Molly Poecilia caucana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Cauca Molly |
| Name Lat. | Poecilia caucana |
| Family | Livebearers |
| Family lat. | Poeciliidae |
| Order | Killifishes & Livebearers |
| Order lat. | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Origin | Central and South America |
| Habitat | Tributaries |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Livebearer |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 4-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 3-5 cm |
| Temperature | 26-30 °C |
| Hardness | 10-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | 60 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.2"-2" |
| Temperature | 79-86 °F |
| Hardness | 178-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The natural range of the Cauca Molly extends from Panama to Colombia and Venezuela. They live mainly in shallow rivers with partly dense underwater vegetation and in Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a varied planting, with shelters and hiding places (roots) and provide sufficient swimming space. A dark substrate, some shaded light (floating plants) and medium to hard water 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
In nature they feed on algae and insect larvae. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed them once a day with a high-quality dry food (flakes, granules, pellets) as well as cyclops, daphnia or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, they need vegetable food, such as algae leaves, pureed leafy and wild vegetables or dry food with vegetable ingredients (spirulina, kelp)
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms
Behaviour and compatibility
They are peaceful, shy fish and well suited for a community tank with other calm and peaceful fish. They should be kept in a group with a few males and several females.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar water condition and water temperature requirements should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The smaller males are more colorful and have an anal fin (gonopodium) 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. A female releases up to 25 fry approximately every 4 weeks. They are about 7 mm in size and are already fully developed and independent at birth. After filling their swim bladder at the water surface, they can immediately begin feeding. After about 4-5 months they reach sexual maturity
Juvenile fish must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
Soft water is not well tolerated and makes them susceptible to disease. A small addition (1-2 teaspoons per 10 l of water) of sea salt (mineral salt) from the pet store is recommended for water hardening.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH value, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load 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: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF