South american molly - Poecilia caucana

Scientific name: Poecilia caucana

Common name: South american molly

Family: Poeciliidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 3 - 4 cm (1.18 - 1.57 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.9 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 8 - 19°N (142.86 - 339.29ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 25 - 30 °C (77 - 86°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Pseudo-Livebearer

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Top levels

Food and feeding

South american mollies will accept all foods offered. Use a quality flake for the staple diet but supplement this with spirulina flake and algae wafers. They will also accept treats of live or frozen foods twice a week.

Origin

South America; South american mollies are found in the waterways of Panama, Venezuela and Colombia.

Sexing

Females are slightly larger and the males will possess a modified anal fin called a gonopodium.

Breeding

The females can store the sperm for months and will often produce young when there are no males present. They require no special effort to get them to breed and once they start giving birth, young will be produced every other day. The female will display a dark gravid spot near her anal fin prior to giving birth.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Poecilia caucana is 4-6 years.

Short description

Poecilia caucana are a very hardy fish; they have no special requirements but do prefer neutral to alkaline water. They will nibble on some plants but not enough to do serious damage.

Picture

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.