Humpbacked Limia (Limia nigrofasciata)
| Humpbacked Limia Limia nigrofasciata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Humpbacked Limia |
| Name Lat. | Limia nigrofasciata |
| Synonym | Poecilia nigrofasciata |
| Family | Livebearers |
| Family lat. | Poeciliidae |
| Order | Killifishes & Livebearers |
| Order lat. | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Origin | Hispaniola |
| Habitat | Streams, ponds |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Livebearer |
| Breeding | Simple |
| Life Span | 2-3 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5-7 cm |
| Temperature | 22-26 °C |
| Hardness | 10-25 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 120 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2"-2.8" |
| Temperature | 72-79 °F |
| Hardness | 178-445 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 30 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the black banded carps is Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They live in stagnant and slow flowing waters with dense underwater vegetation, where they usually occur in schools. Occasionally they are also found in brackish waters.
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 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 males are smaller and more colorful, become increasingly high-backed with 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, up to 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). 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: Werner Winter; 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