The glossy ameca could be the ideal option if you want to give your aquarium a hint of elegance. Aquarists love this little but eye-catching fish because of its lively personality and shimmering scales that make it stand out. The glossy ameca can add beauty and energy to your tank with its brilliant colors and graceful movements.
In order to ensure that glossy ameca thrive, proper care must take into account their unique requirements. These fish need a clean environment, so adequate filtration and frequent water changes are essential. Although they are typically resilient, monitoring the water quality and tank conditions will help maintain their health and vibrancy.
Because glossy ameca are not very picky eaters, feeding them is simple. They will stay in excellent shape if you feed them a balanced diet of premium flakes or pellets, occasionally supplemented with frozen or live foods. These fish can thrive and turn into a stunning focal point in your aquarium with the correct care.
- Appearance
- Place in scientific classification
- Living conditions in the aquarium
- Feeding
- Compatibility
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Appearance
In the past, members of the Ameca species (also known as Ameca splendens) were thought to be endemic, with their native range being restricted to a few small regions in Mexico and Central America. They were thought to be extinct in the wild for a while until small populations were found close to Sayula.
Both regular breeders and specialty breeders work with these uncommon animals in captivity.
The glossy ameca can be identified by its features.
- The size of the fish can be from 6 cm to 10 cm in length.
- The body is somewhat elongated, slightly flattened from the sides, like many carp.
- If you look at individuals from the side, then the ameca can be accurately identified by the ellipsoid body, from which an almost rectangular tail section extends, ending in a large tail, evenly cut along the back edge.
By the way, the color of the caudal fin—which is nearly transparent in females and has a bright yellow border in males—allows even a beginner aquarist to identify between the sexes of fish with ease.
The color gave rise to the name glossy ameca. The males’ bodies are indeed silvery. Nevertheless, variations in lighting and viewing angle cause the color to shift. This fish in an aquarium has a broad lateral dark stripe in addition to many iridescent "rhinestones" that can be seen in different lighting conditions and angles. This is true for men.
The background of females, who are 1-2 cm larger than males, is silvery, with small black dots covering it from the head to the tail.
A further characteristic of female gender is the rectangular abdomen. The viviparous nature of amecas is the reason for this.
Ameca glossy female.
Place in scientific classification
It’s interesting to note that, in contrast to the majority of fish that science has identified, the Ameca splendens classification was established relatively recently, in the 1970s.
It seems that ichthyologists were not entirely sure what family these viviparous "Americans" belonged to, so after much debate, a distinct family was established. Thus, they acted.
At the moment, glossy amecas belong to the small family Goodiidae (lat. Goodeidae), where their "neighbors" include three genera of freshwater fish from Central America and several more monotopes (the genus is limited to a single species).
It’s highly likely that a different classification will be created in the future. The fish themselves, however, are unaffected by disagreements in science or pseudoscience. For them, what matters most is that those who have assumed maintenance responsibilities make an effort to preserve typical living circumstances.
Living conditions in the aquarium
Ameca is regarded as a humble creature.
The degree of warmth. In actuality, +23 to +28 °C is the ideal range for them. The fish will still be active, even if the water’s temperature drops temporarily—even to +17 °C!.
Composition of water. It is advised to follow neutral indicators for the chemical parameters of the aquarium environment: pH = 7.0–8.0, hardness — 10–20 °dH.
The aquatic environment’s dissolved nitrates and nitrites are extremely difficult for glossy amecas to withstand. Because of this, biofiltration along with weekly changes of 15% of the aquarium water should be used. Aeration doesn’t produce a powerful current and is fairly normal.
Starting off. It is recommended to add coarse-grained sand to the bottom of the aquarium and add freshwater plants. You can also dilute the plants that float on the surface.
Scenery in the form of caves, grottoes, and stone breasts is absolutely essential. The fish will mate in these locations.
At night, lighting should be muted almost completely and kept to a moderate level.
The dimensions of the aquarium. Amecs live in small flocks, in which the number of females is twice as much as males, while the males themselves should be at least 4. These measures are needed so that the attention and competition of fish disperse and they do not cause serious injuries to each other. The struggle for leadership always begins in the pack, as a result of which one (usually the largest) male becomes a dominant. In this regard, the aquarium requires quite capacious: from 100 liters or more. In addition, it should be covered with a lid, since glossy "Americans" are distinguished by an enviable jumping ability. A large tail and rather powerful pectoral fins help them with this.
A glossy ameca male.
Feeding
Because they are omnivores and have voracious appetites, feeding these livebearers is not a problem.
There isn’t a chance that active amecas are a more effective way to eradicate duckweed or green algae from an aquarium than they are. Because they view algae as a delicacy, these fish will devour them in a matter of days.
Because of this, you shouldn’t put delicately leafed aquatic vegetation in the aquarium as it could permanently ruin its appearance.
On the other hand, amecas will leave live grass alone if you promptly give them commercial granulated or tablet plant foods.
Dietary foods high in protein should also be consumed. Live earthworms, bloodworms, tubifex, cyclops, and dry or frozen organic food (including commercial) are good for this.
It is not advised by some Goodia fish owners to feed flakes to their "wards." The answer is straightforward: flakes swell excessively, which plays a role in the development of obesity.
As a result, glossy ameki consume a wide variety of foods, though in moderation. If there’s any vegetation in the aquarium, the fish won’t go hungry.
Compatibility
Ameki is able to consume other species’ fry with ease, but this is sort of in between. They are not likely to hunt young fish on purpose. However, when it comes to heterogeneous maintenance, this needs to be considered.
It has been reported that Goodia fish can gnaw on the edges of their "neighbors’" large, veil-shaped fins. That is conceivable, but living with veil guppies and discus has also been positively experienced.
Cichlids of any size make good neighbors. It is noteworthy to mention that ameks do not harbor any fear towards cichlid fish and occasionally even chase them around the aquarium. Thus, in terms of prevention.
Goodias are generally calm fish, and their hyperactivity is primarily used for settling disputes within the school.
Indeed, amecas do not have a territorial streak; they freely roam the aquarium and occasionally form bonds with their fellow fish.
Aspect | Description |
Common Name | Glossy Ameca |
Scientific Name | Ameca splendens |
Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons |
Water Temperature | 72-78°F (22-26°C) |
Water pH | 6.5-7.5 |
Water Hardness | Soft to moderately hard |
Diet | Omnivorous; high-quality flakes, pellets, and live food |
Tank Setup | Plenty of swimming space, gentle filtration, and hiding spots |
Behavior | Active, peaceful, prefers to be in groups |
Tank Mates | Compatible with other peaceful fish |
Breeding | Egg-layers; separate breeding tank recommended |
Care Level | Moderate; requires regular maintenance and attention |
In conclusion, Glossy Ameca’s colorful appearance and lively behavior make keeping them in your aquarium a rewarding experience. These fish are a terrific option for novices as well as experienced hobbyists because they require little maintenance. You can guarantee a healthy environment for your Glossy Ameca to flourish with the appropriate tank setup, which includes appropriate filtration and routine water changes.
To keep them well-nourished, pay attention to their diet and make sure to offer a variety of foods. They thrive in groups due to their gregarious nature, so think about adding some friends to your tank. Your Glossy Ameca will be able to thrive if you provide for their basic needs and create a balanced habitat.
The satisfaction of witnessing these exquisite fish glide and communicate with one another makes the effort worthwhile in the end. Your aquarium can become a vibrant and dynamic display of the Glossy Ameca’s inherent charm with the right maintenance.
Understanding Glossy Ameca maintenance and care is essential for their longevity and well-being if you’re thinking about adding them to your aquarium. Though they are relatively simple to care for, these colorful fish need certain circumstances in order to flourish. This guide will go through everything you need to know to make sure your Glossy Ameca not only survives but thrives in your aquatic setup, from the best tank setups and water quality to feeding schedules and social requirements.