Live fish are an amazing addition to any aquarium, adding dynamic movement and vivid colors to your water environment. Because these species give birth to young that can swim freely, unlike egg-laying fish, hobbyists love them. For those who are interested in breeding fish, the ability to reproduce within the tank can also be a rewarding experience.
We’ll look at 14 well-liked live aquarium fish in this post. These species are distinguished in the hobby by their distinct qualities. There are many options to choose from that fit various tastes and tank setups, whether you’re looking for something small and colorful or something a little bigger with eye-catching patterns.
These fish, which range from the ever-popular guppy to the graceful swordtail, not only enhance the aesthetics of your tank but also provide a variety of interactions and behaviors. Explore the world of live bearers and find out which of these 14 fish would be best suited for your aquarium by reading on.
- Which fish are called live-bearing
- Popular species
- Hoodye
- Guppies
- Swordtail
- Mollies
- Pecilius
- Ameca
- Girardinus
- Formosa
- Sail-finned molly
- Carp-toothed
- Xenotoka
- Limia
- Half -smashed
- Iliodon
- Features of care
- Reproduction
- Differences between female and male
- Video on the topic
- Viviparous aquarium fish species
- Top 10 viviparous aquarium fish
- What viviparous fish are there – Aquarium keeping
- TOP OF RESISTANT AND UNPRETENTIOUS AQUARIUM FISH
Which fish are called live-bearing
During spawning, viviparous fish give birth to live fry that have already adapted to their surroundings rather than laying eggs.
But unlike the highest animals, this process cannot be referred to as live-up. Fry motionless for an extended period of time to develop inside the mother’s abdomen’s eggs. They are born only after that. As a result, fish are occasionally referred to as ovum rather than lively, like higher animals. Libra is known for their tenacity and modest approach to caring.
Popular species
Among the well-known species that the renowned aquariumist Bernd Subsecert wrote about were viviparous aquarium fish species. The most common fish chosen for aquariums are small, placid fish that get along well with other kinds.
Hoodye
The Gundeev family represents a transitional form between caviar-laying fish and lively species. reside in Mexico’s mountain rivers. The ichthyologist D. Guda is honored by this name.
The Hoodyevs are tall people with sides that are compressed. In comparison to males, females are a few centimeters bigger and have a duller color. You have three to four years to live.
Representatives of the Gudiidae family need a tank that holds at least 50 liters. calls for regular filtration, aeration, and water changes.
Guppies
These fish are thought to be the most prevalent residents of aquariums and tanks that house pets that are submerged. The species’ vivid body color sets it apart from others. From white to black, breeders have bred various colors. Male guppies are distinguished by their long, veil-like tail as well as their dorsal and lateral fins.
The guppy fish in aquariums has a body length of 2–6 cm. In order to hide from enemies, females appear more subdued and are noticeably larger than males.
Fish from the viviparous family can be kept in small spaces with an aquarium that holds 15–17 liters and the bare minimum of equipment. It is advised for novice aquarists to start with a guppie as they are easily forgiving of their mistakes in care.
Swordtail
It inhabits the lakes and rivers of Central America in the wild. It is not less well-liked than guppies.
Natural fish are pale red or greenish in color, but through selection, brilliant color variations ranging from yellow to black have been bred. However, the majority of people are familiar with this species because of its characteristic red-orange body and its name, which comes from the males’ long arrow with a black stripe on their tail.
It is appropriate for novices as well. Aquarium fish swordtails can endure prolonged periods of hunger and consume plant-based foods; they are not particular about the food or water conditions they are kept in.
Mollies
The species is widespread in Yutakan, Texas, Colombia, and central and southern America. Belongs to the family Poeciliidae.
Fish in the wild can have colors ranging from yellow-sandy to gray-spotted. This species was found and spread widely during the 1800s. Although the natural color was preferred, mollies eventually started to be identified as fish with a coal-black body color. Mollies stand out due to the development of their fins. Male body length is 6 cm, while female body length can reach up to 9 cm.
Mollies need to be kept carefully. It will need an aquarium with rich lighting and a water volume greater than 65 liters.
Although mollies are peaceful and get along with other animals, males may fight within their own species, particularly when spawning is taking place.
Pecilius
The Poeciliidae family includes the Pecilia species. They are found in Guatemala, and their natural habitat is in the north and center of America. Introduced from America in the 1900s, they have expanded in popularity and have become a favorite among aquarists ever since.
Its natural color is a more subdued yellow-gray with dark patches near the tail. However, pecilia have been bred in a number of additional colors.
Both sexes have bodies that are 5–6 cm long. The fish’s body is shortened, and its muzzle is raised and its abdomen is large.
Large areas are not necessary for cilias. Two pecilia will fit in a 5–6 liter tank, while a school of 7-8 fish will require 40–50 liters. Enough lighting and complete aeration must be set up.
Ameca
Within the genus Ameca, there is only one species. It was totally eradicated in 1996 from its natural habitat, which had been the Mexican rivers. That fish, however, is bred in captivity.
The body grows to a maximum of 5–12 cm and is flattened from the sides. The entire body has black spots scattered throughout its sandy-silver color. The anal fin and tail have bright yellow edges, which is a characteristic that sets the species apart. The black lateral stripe is more visible at night and hardly noticeable during the day.
Ameca is a schooling fish that follows a rigid hierarchy and role-sharing scheme. Male-to-male fights and skirmishes are possible.
Girardinus
It is native to South America and thrives in lakes, backwaters, and swamps with stagnant water.
Males are 3 cm in size, and females are 6 cm. Males are small and graceful, while females are more massive and large. The entire body is speckled with tiny black dots, and the color varies from yellow to silver.
Girardinus will prove to be a valuable resource when studying aquaristics. The fish are not picky; a school can hold 40 liters of water.
Formosa
This pet’s unique appearance draws attention to it. Fans of this species are content to have one of these creatures at home, despite the opinion of some that it is not beautiful.
Southeast Asian countries that are served: Thailand, Java, and Singapore. resides close to the coast in mangrove forests.
Formosa’s body is strongly extended and elongated. You can find the fins far behind. The structure of the upper and lower jaws differs; the upper is substantially shorter than the lower. The mouth’s structure facilitates the removal of food particles from liquid surfaces. The fins have a reddish tint, and the body is painted a gray-sand color.
Sail-finned molly
A species of ray-finned fish belonging to the Poeciliidae family. inhabits the brackish waters of the Yutakan Peninsula.
Females are up to 15 cm in length, while males are up to 17 cm. Clearly, sail-finned mollies are sexually dimorphic. The body has shiny dots on a gray color. The lower portion is golden in hue.
Carp-toothed
Fish in the ray-finned class include the order Carp-toothed. More than 400 species of freshwater fish from Asia, America, and Africa are part of this order.
The order’s external resemblance to species in the Cyprinidae order gave rise to the name "carp-toothed." However, the distinction was that Carp, unlike Carp-toothed, lacked teeth.
It is possible to artificially breed multiple colors.
Xenotoka
Mexico’s mountain rivers and lakes serve as a natural habitat. discovered in 1974, and aquarists have grown to love it ever since.
Males have a hump above the head, which causes the head to appear smaller than the body because the body is compressed from the sides. The male’s body is colored in shades of pale brown to bluish-gray. The caudal fin, which is the same color as the yellow spot, is where it starts. Typically, the body size is no more than 8 cm.
Plant enough vegetation to surround xenotokes when keeping them.
Limia
It was initially found close to the island of Haiti in the Caribbean Sea. It inhabits shallow water and small lakes with an abundance of vegetation. Since limias are schooling fish, keeping them by themselves in an aquarium can cause stress or even death.
Male limia are smaller and have a more refined appearance than females, which grow to a maximum length of 6-7 cm. With yellow patches on the head and belly, the color is mostly silvery. Limia are distinguished from other species by their distinctive vertical stripes. Most of the time, the tail fin is also pale yellow. The round spinal fin has marble-striped paint applied in black and yellow.
Because Limiya is a simple, easily adjustable style, it is not suitable for beginners. The limion flock will be comfortable in a 35–40 liter reservoir that is filled with greenery.
Half -smashed
Half-smashed, also known as dermogenis, is a member of the semi-frying family. Attention is drawn to a peculiar name and odd appearance. An inconspicuous companion will enrich the biosystem of the aquarium.
The habitat is in Singapore and Malaysia in South and East Asia. is found in reservoirs that have a lot of silt and snags at the bottom, along with a weak current.
The body is long and lean, and it ranges in color from blue to gray. The fins have blue boots on them. The unique structure of the oral cavity—the upper jaw is significantly shorter than the lower—was semi-wrapped. This is because of the way this species eats. Insects and other invertebrates that wind up on the water’s surface are caught by half-snouts. The lower jaw has a "hook" on it.
Iliodon
Inhabits Mexico’s lakes and rivers. The body is long and sideways compressed. Unlike most fish, the dorsal fin is situated closer to the tail rather than in the center of the back. The hue is gray with a hint of olive green. On the sides, there are black spots that are visible as light lines. The belly is a light yellow color. The length of the body is 8–12 cm, with females being larger.
Territorial behavior and an aggressive temperament set ilidodons apart. It’s preferable to maintain a group. Each fish has a specific place in the group, which upholds a rigid hierarchy. inhabit the water’s middle and upper layers.
It takes about 40–50 liters of water with a high concentration of dissolved oxygen to support 8–10 fish in an aquarium.
Live-bearing fish are an excellent option for adding colorful, low-maintenance fish to your aquarium. This article examines 14 common live aquarium fish, emphasizing their special traits, maintenance requirements, and ways to liven up your tank with vibrant color and lively activity. Regardless of your experience level with fishkeeping, these species provide a variety of choices that can flourish in different aquarium configurations.
Features of care
Fish kept in aquariums that bear live food are relatively easy to maintain and do not require special handling during their confinement. Livebearers can tolerate a wide range of environmental factors, such as fluctuating temperatures, low oxygen levels, contaminated water, and inadequate lighting.
Enumeration of features for care:
- For pets to be healthy and feel comfortable, they will need sufficient lighting. This can be daylight or artificial light. If you choose daylight, then the aquarium should be located near a window and prevent drafts. And also if daylight is insufficient, then use additional lighting. Good lighting will help the fish feel normal and fully reveal their color, which fades with insufficient lighting.
- Livebearers feed on all types of plant and animal food: dry, frozen, live. The diet must include plant components, vegetables, fruits. Their number can reach up to half of the total volume feed. When feeding vegetables and fruits, first pour boiling water over them and only then feed the fish. Sexually mature individuals are fed once a day, and fry require 4 portions of food per day. Fry food is thoroughly crushed. In times of famine, they are able to feed only on plants.
- Viviparous fish are often schooling animals, so keeping them alone is dangerous for the psyche of the fish. To avoid skirmishes and fights when the aquarium is crowded, it is worth not allowing a large number of males. Match 2-4 females to each male. Then the likelihood of fights will decrease.
- Although viviparous fish are able to survive in unfavorable conditions, it is better to maintain clean water in the aquarium with a partial water change every week.
- Water temperature from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, and the hardness and acidity indicators are average.
- Conditions should be close to natural. Plant a sufficient amount of vegetation.
- It is recommended to equip the tank with aeration and filtering devices.
Aquarium fish that are viviparous are resilient and humble:
- Temperature conditions are not very important and their range can be wide.
- Viviparous fish do not care about the size of the aquarium – most of them can feel comfortable in the cramped conditions of a small aquarium.
- Water hardness is also not very important, and the water can be either soft or very hard.
- Reproduction of viviparous fish is not difficult.
Reproduction
The high fertility and ease of reproduction in an aquarium are characteristics of viviparous fish.
Fish reach sexual maturity four months after birth.
The male uses the gonopodium to fertilize the developing caviar, which is created in the female’s abdomen, with seminal fluid. The belly rounds out during pregnancy, and just before labor starts, a dark patch shows up next to the anal fin. After 1.5 months, the eggs hatch, giving birth to live young. After the male has fertilized her once, the female can give birth three to four more times. Up to 170 fry can be born to a female at once.
The fry are able to live independently as soon as they are born, rising to the surface of the water and straightening their swim bladder with air. On their second day of life, they start eating.
You will need plants, like riccia, where the fry can hide after birth, in order for them to live comfortably. Because fish frequently consume their young, adult fish and fry are housed in different tanks. If the fry are housed together and given enough food, they will make it through.
Differences between female and male
Individuals who are viviparous can be easily identified as male or female. Males are small and graceful, and females are larger and more massive in almost all species. Males are bright and have long fins of various shapes, while females are subdued and have a grayish color.
The anal fin of sexually mature males lengthens and becomes the gonopodium, an organ used to fertilize eggs inside females, marking the primary difference between them. The anal fin in females is small and rounded in shape.
Fish Name | Key Features |
---|---|
Guppy | Colorful, small, and easy to care for. Great for beginners. |
Platies | Friendly, come in various colors, and are easy to breed. |
Mortis | Hardy and adaptable, suitable for community tanks. |
Molly | Available in different varieties, thrives in a well-maintained tank. |
Swordtail | Distinctive tail shape, peaceful and easy to care for. |
Endler"s Livebearer | Small, vibrant, and active. Often kept in nano tanks. |
Rainbowfish | Brightly colored, peaceful, and ideal for larger tanks. |
Platies | Friendly, come in various colors, and are easy to breed. |
Green Swordtail | Eye-catching green color, peaceful and hardy. |
Lyretail Molly | Long, flowing fins, vibrant colors, and easy to care for. |
Fancy Guppy | Unique fin shapes and colors, great for small tanks. |
Golden Platies | Bright yellow coloration, peaceful and easy to breed. |
Black Molly | Dark coloration, hardy, and adapts well to different conditions. |
Red Swordtail | Striking red color, peaceful and easy to maintain. |
Vibrant Endler"s Livebearer | Colorful patterns, small size, and energetic. |
For both new and seasoned aquarium owners, live fish are an excellent option. Their lively hues and lively demeanor can infuse your tank with vitality. Every preference can be satisfied by a live-bearer species, be it the striking swordtails or the playful guppies.
A few things to think about when selecting the ideal live-bearing fish are tank size, water quality, and compatibility with other species. A healthy and peaceful aquarium environment can be ensured by doing some research beforehand, as each type has specific needs and characteristics of its own.
With their fascinating reproductive habits and vibrant personalities, live-bearing fish are generally rewarding to watch and easy to care for. Including them in your tank can result in an eye-catching and captivating aquatic display.