Download Identification of live bearers File

BIOASPECTS OF ORNAMENTAL
FISHES
Dr. B. Ahilan
Professor
Department of Aquaculture
Fisheries College and Research Institute
Thoothukudi
GUPPY
GUPPY
Classification:
Family
Genus
Species
Common name
:
:
:
:
Poecilidae
Poecilia
reticulata
Guppy
Characters
1.
2.
3.
4.
Within this species there are many colour
strains, No two fishes ever being exactly alike.
The female guppys body colouration is much
more subdued than that of male, although the
female caudal line may be vivid.
The caudal fin may take many forms including
fan, veil or pintail.
Gravid females require a heavily planted tanks
this also protects the fry from being eaten by
the parents.
Aquarium conditions
Water
Temperature
Swimming level
Special attention
:
:
:
:
Medium-hard
24°C
All levels
Plants
Species details
Origin
Size
Feed
Sexual dimorphism
:
:
:
:
Breeding method :
Breeding Potential :
Trinidad
30 mm Long
Algae, Green foods
Males have gonopodium
female are dull coloured and
Larger
Live bearer
Easy, prolific
PLATY
PLATY
Classification:
Family
Genus
Species
Common name
:
:
:
:
Poecilidae
Xiphophorus
maculatus
Platy
Characters
1.
2.
3.
By hybridization fish keepers have
developed a large number of colour strains
of platy.
In some cases the body and fins are a single
colour. In some cases the fins are black.
Very often multi coloured are also available.
Platy is a short, stocky fish and does not
carry a sword. The dorsal fin rays are
clearly visible.
Aquarium conditions
Water
Temperature
Swimming level
Special attention
Tank type
:
:
:
:
:
Medium-hard
24°C - 26°C
All level
Plants
Community
Species details
Origin
Size
Feed
Sexual dimorphism
:
:
:
:
Breeding method
Breeding Potential
:
:
Central America
50 mm Long
All foods
Males have
gonopodium
Live bearer
Easy, prolific
BLACK MOLLY
BLACK MOLLY
Classification:
Family
Genus
Common name
:
:
:
Poecilidae
Poecilia sp
Black molly
Characters
1.
2.
3.
Body is jet-black in colour and seeming
to have a velvety texture.
They are live bearer if given plenty of
space, the males dorsal fin will become
large.
It is an active fish and requires plenty of
vegetable matter in its diet.
Aquarium conditions
Water
:
Temperature
Swimming level
Special attention
:
:
:
Soft, Mediumhard
24°C
Bottom
Plants
Species details
Origin
Size
Feed
Sexual dimorphism
:
:
:
:
Breeding method
Breeding Potential
:
:
Mexico
70 mm Long
Algae, Green foods
Males have
gonopodium and
may have large
dorsal fin
Live bearer
Easy
SAILFIN MOLLY
SAILFIN MOLLY
Classification:
Family
Genus
Species
Common name
:
:
:
:
Poecilidae
Poecilia
velifera
Sailfin Molly
Characters
1.
2.
3.
Body colour is dark green but in the
market an albino / gold variety is also
available.
Each scale is dotted.
The Sailfin molly gets its name from the
males impressive dorsal fin, which is
erected to attract female.
Aquarium conditions
Water
Temperature
Swimming level
Special attention
Tank type
:
:
:
:
:
Hard
24°C
All levels
Plants
Community
Species details
Origin
Size
Feed
Sexual dimorphism
:
:
:
:
Breeding method
Breeding Potential
:
:
Central America
120 mm Long
Algae
Males have
gonopodium and
may have large
dorsal fin
Live bearer
Easy
SWORD TAIL
SWORD TAIL
Classification:
Family
Genus
Species
Common name
:
:
:
:
Poecilidae
Xiphophorus
helleri
Sword tail
Characters
1.
2.
3.
Many colour varieties of swordtails are
now established by selective breeding.
Before the sword develops you can sex
young fishes by observing the anal fin;
the female is fan shaped, the males rod
like.
Generally orange red coloured sword tail
is commonly available.
Aquarium conditions
Water
Temperature
Swimming level
Special attention
:
:
:
:
Medium-hard
24°C - 26°C
All levels
Plants
Species details
Origin
Size
:
:
Feed
:
Sexual dimorphism :
Breeding method :
Breeding Potential :
Central America
120 mm Long
(Female) males are
still smaller
Omnivorus
Males possesses sword at
caudal fin and gonopodium.
Females are deeper bodied
with fan shaped anal fin
Live bearer
Easy, prolific
MOSQUITO FISH
MOSQUITO FISH
Classification:
Family
Genus
Species
Common name
:
:
:
:
Poecilidae
Gambusia
affinis
Mosquito fish
Characters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Male are smaller than females.
Males upto 5 cm long and females 6 cm
long seen.
They are peaceful and hardly aquarium live
bearers.
Since they exhibit sexual dimorphism (the
gonopodium makes the males easy to
recognize).
Females are cannibalistic and should be
removed after birth.
Aquarium conditions
Water
Temperature
Swimming level
Special attention
Gestation period
:
:
:
:
:
Hard
18°C - 24°C
Upper
Plants
3-4 weeks
Species details
Origin
:
Size
Feed
Sexual dimorphism
:
:
:
Breeding method
Breeding Potential
:
:
South East
United States
50 mm long
Mosquito larvae
Males has got
gonopodium
Live bearer
Easy