Aquarium enthusiasts love pecilia fish, also referred to as livebearers, because of their vivid colors and lively personalities. These little fish are a fantastic option for both novice and seasoned aquarists because they are not only gorgeous but also reasonably simple to care for. Pecilias liven up any tank with their vibrant array of colors and patterns.
Pecilias, which are native to Central and South America, are flexible and do well in a variety of water environments. They can live in harmony with many other fish species because of their well-known friendliness. They are a common fixture in many home aquariums because of their adaptability and lovely appearance.
We’ll cover all the essentials of owning Pecilias in this post, including care needs and breeding patterns. Whether you’re just starting out with fishkeeping or want to improve the setup in your aquarium, knowing these interesting fish will help you create a vibrant aquatic environment.
| Aspect | Description |
| Common Name | Pecilia |
| Scientific Name | Pecilia spp. |
| Size | 2-4 inches |
| Origin | Central and South America |
| Tank Requirements | 20 gallons minimum, well-planted |
| Water Conditions | Warm, 72-78°F, pH 6.5-8.0 |
| Diet | Omnivorous, flakes, and live food |
| Behavior | Active, peaceful, social |
| Breeding | Livebearers, frequent breeders |
Pecilias care and maintenance
Pecilias are thought to be incredibly obliging fish. They require clean water, just like all other fish do: ammonia concentration should be zero, nitrite should be zero, and nitrate should be 20. Having an effective water filtration system is therefore essential! In order to maintain a comfortable temperature, a water heater is also required. Aeration is obviously necessary; it isn’t even mentioned. Once a week, changing about 1/4 to 1/3 of the total volume of water is advised.
The nitrogen compounds and phosphates in the aquarium should not have excessive concentrations; this is the most crucial factor. This is the primary mistake that novice fish keep making. Pet illnesses and fatalities are primarily caused by ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphates. Drop tests are something that every responsible aquarist should always have on hand, if only for phosphate and nitrate. Thankfully, they are now reasonably priced, and there are no issues with their acquisition or variety. You can get cheap Vladox tests offline, in the stores in your city.
When changing water, it would be helpful to use solutions that neutralize dangerous substances and use clean water. For example, Tetra AquaSafe eliminates heavy metals and chlorine compounds while also including B vitamins, iodine, and other beneficial ingredients for aquariums. That is, you can use it to fill the aquarium with water without worrying about endangering your cherished pets.
The reputable FF online retailer Aqua Logo Shop is where you can buy the medications, gear, and other helpful items for an aquarist that were mentioned above. We advise against it!
Pecilias are highly energetic and enjoy swimming rapidly. Thus, even with the small fish, the aquarium needs to have a capacity of at least 70 liters, and ideally 100 liters. Since these fish prefer the middle and upper layers of water to swim in, it is ideal for the aquarium to be sufficiently wide and deep.
It’s important to keep in mind that pecilia are "alkaline fish," meaning they prefer a pH and dH above 7. Acidifying water with tea, snags, or any other form of fitotherapy is not recommended. Choosing "alkaline" neighbors to fever is also advised. For instance, guri and scalaries get along well with peniles, but they are still not the best neighbors. They thrive in soft, somewhat acidic environments (pH of less than 7).
Aquarium enthusiasts frequently choose pecilia fish because of their eye-catching colors, resilience, and low maintenance needs. This post will discuss the benefits of keeping Pecilias in aquariums for beginners and experts alike, as well as their special characteristics, maintenance requirements, and methods for thriving in an appropriately cared-for aquatic habitat.
Feeding and diet of Pecilia
Pecilia eat algae and insects in the wild. Plant foods should be a part of their diet. This is essential for healthy digestion. Tetra’s balanced feed, however, is up to the job. You can use tetraguppi, or livestock feed, or feed made from a variety of microfudes with the full-time tetramine.
It should be mentioned that when purchasing any dry food, you should be aware of the manufacture and expiration dates, avoid purchasing food by weight, and store it in a closed environment to prevent the growth of harmful flora.
Types of pecilia
The species known as "Spotted pecilia" is Xiphophorus maculatus, and this needs to be stated up front. Additionally, there is the "Three-colored pecilia" Xiphophorus variatus. Both species have a large number of breeding breeds, the majority of which are even hybrids between these two species involving the original "Green swordtail" species, Xiphophorus helleri. For instance, the hybridization of all three species led to the creation of the breeds "black pecilia" and "black swordtail." Wild: It is nearly impossible to find the original "spotted pecilia" and "three-colored pecilia" forms of these species in aquariums.
More than 130 types of pecilia are now common in aquariums as a result of breeding efforts. Red, yellow, orange, golden, and even white are among them! It is just not possible to enumerate them all.
Everybody Since it would be impossible to list them all, we have highlighted the most well-known species below.
The breed of balloon poecilia is selective. It is man-made; it is not found in nature. looks extremely peculiar because of its curved spine. Fish with a shorter, curved spine were chosen during the selection process. The balloon platy resembles a bloated, shrunken form of the regular platy. This morph’s internal organ displacement and curvature make reproduction difficult for it frequently.
White plate
White platy is a breed that is selective. Although the body is entirely white, the eyes are not red like in an albino. There are several nearly white-colored platy morphs.
The breed of high-finned platy is selective. This is the offspring of the flag swordtail, Xiphophorus variatus, and Xiphophorus maculatus. The color of the body varies. It’s important to differentiate between the flag morph and the high-finned morph of platy. The hair of the high-finned platy is fan-shaped, whereas the flag platy has cornered hair.
Hawaiian Pecilia
Breed selection exists in the Hawaiian Platy. It is Xiphophorus variatus, or Pecilia variatus, in a color morph. Its name originated from its 1962 appearance at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The fish’s body is black and yellow, with a brilliant red tail. Its coloring is stunning. The fins may be translucent and fully colorless, or they may have yellow undertones.
Platy Blue
The breed of blue platy is selective. Steel blue is the color of the body. Certain iridophores cells are what give the color. This platy coloring is innate in different morphologies.
Pale platy
Yellow platy is a breed that is selective. This is Xiphophorus maculatus, a common platy, in a color morph.
The red platy
Xiphophorus maculatus has a breed known as red platy. Its color is a pure red, devoid of any other hues. Translucency is possible in the tail and fins.
Mickey Mouseand Patty Mouse
The breed of Mickey Mouse Platy is selective. Its distinctive pattern of one large and two small black dots at the base of its tail, which is evocative of Mickey Mouse ears, gave it its name. The body’s color can vary greatly, ranging from shades of blue and green to golden, orange, and red.
Radiscus pecilius
The breed Pecilius radiscus is selective. The tail and other fins are black, while the body is either orange or red in color.
Pecilius dusk
The breed Pecilius Sunset is selective. The body is colored either orange or red, with a wavering between them. Another name for this pecilia morph is sunset or sunny.
Tricolor Pecilius
As you are already aware, Pecilius tricolor is a species. However, a whole kiloton of color variations and morphology exist. However, keep in mind that pure Variatus, a natural form, unfortunately does not exist in our aquariums.
Pecilius flagovaya
The breed Pecilius flagovaya is selective. The color of the body varies. The upper fin corner is where the two differ most. as opposed to the high-finned one, whose hair is shaped like a fan.
Pecilia in black
The breed of black pecilia is selective. The body is primarily black, with varying colors on the tail and other fins.
Pecilia sex: male and female?
Simply put, the anal fins of males are rolled into a tube called the gonopodium, which distinguishes them from females’ pecilia. Like guppies, swordtails, and mollies, pecilia are viviparous, meaning that the females carry the eggs and fry them inside the body. Breeding pecilia is not hard, and it usually happens without any help from an aquarist. Plants are necessary in the aquarium so that the fry can hide until they are larger; otherwise, the parents and other fish will consider the fry to be live food. A pregnant pecilia has a distinctive appearance that sets it apart from other objects.
The round abdomen and a dark spot near the anal fin are indicators of pregnancy. Every 28 days, on average, a female pecilia gives birth to 20–40 pieces of fry. Fry seem to be fairly self-sufficient and are easy to feed with live dust, branded food that has been ground into dust, or fry-specific food.
It’s interesting to note that, like all livebearers, female pecilia eventually transform into males. The evolutionary struggle for survival explains this behavior in live-bearing fish.
These and a variety of other fish are always available at the physical supermarkets Aqua Logo and the internet retailer Aqua-Shop. Live goods delivery is offered in Moscow and the surrounding areas.
Pecilia fish are an excellent option for novices and seasoned aquarium keepers alike. They add a delightful splash of color, low maintenance requirements, and friendliness to any tank. Pecilias are adaptable to a wide range of habitats and water conditions, so they’re a great choice whether you’re setting up a new aquarium or trying to add diversity to an old one.
The lively and interesting behavior of these fish is another well-known quality. Observing them swim around can be enjoyable and soothing. Their vibrant interactions and movements can give your aquarium a sense of life. They also usually get along well with other species due to their adaptability, which makes them a flexible choice for community tanks.
Pecilias are an excellent choice for an introductory fishkeeping project due to their hardiness and comparatively low maintenance needs. Give them a balanced diet and the proper conditions, and you’ll be rewarded with vibrant, healthy fish that liven up your aquatic environment. They’ll quickly become a favorite among the fish in your aquarium thanks to their charm and resilience.
