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Mostly native to Central America, these small, colourful fish are very
popular because they are very hardy and inhabit all levels of the aquarium.
Platys are probably the best example, a very good choice for a
aquarium which has just started. The name livebearers is quite simple:
fishes whose eggs are fertilized and hatched internally in the
females body.
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 Black Molly (Poecilia sphenops): This is a jet-black fish with quite unusual dorsal fins (in males).
With enough space the dorsal fin can become very big. This is normally
a very active fish.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 80 mm |
Mexico |
Moderate |
All foods; algae |
24 C |
Friendly |
|
 Sailfin Molly (Poecilia velifera): Another impressive looking Molly, gets its name
from its dorsal fin. The body is normally dark green, but in this
picture it the albino/gold variety. Can get very big.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 120 mm |
C.America |
Moderate |
All foods; algae |
24 C |
Friendly |
|
 Guppy (Poecilia reticulata): This is a very popular fish, probably because each
Guppy's colour is unique. Females tend to be larger and more
duller.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 30 mm |
Trinidad |
Easy |
all foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
|
 Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri): Many colour varieties of Swordtails, mine are very black.
It isn't unknown for a female to change into a male, especially
when affected by parasites.
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 70 mm |
C. America |
Easy |
all foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
|
 Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus): There are large numbers of colour strains of the Platy.
In some cases the body and fins are single colour; in other the body is
unicolour. The platy is a peaceful, hardy fish and was my first fish
| Size |
Origin |
Ease of keep |
Food |
Temp |
Type |
| 50 mm |
C. America |
Easy |
all foods |
24 C |
Friendly |
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