Limia nigrofasciata - Back to Care Guide Page

Common Name- Humpback Limia     Water conditions- Not critical, plants, water changes, good aeration and filtration with some water movement.     Behavior- Peaceful community fish, dominant males will spar with one another, but it never leads to injury. peaceful with other fish.     Breeding- 5-20 Young approx. every 30 days     Size- 2 inches     This fish is thought by some to be difficult to keep going, or that it will crash, in that the population will suddenly die off without a clear reason.     In fact, it is a hardy fish that will do well when the aquarium is maintained a certain way.     They will do well in a 10 gallon aquarium with active water movement provided from an aeration type box or inside filter. A hang-on-the-back     filter is fine, but an added airstone would be a recommended addition. However, they do best in a larger tank of 20-30 gallons. They prefer     consistent water quality as is generally the case in a larger tank, and prefer to have plants available to hide in (Java fern, anubias etc.). The     dominant, older fish will generally stay out in front.     They are fine with medium to strong light.     Unlike the Tiger Limia, a very close relative, the nigrofasciata seems sensitive to ammonia buildup in a tank, such that they will die off when     the water has been allowed to decline. This is the aspect to their care most responsible for problems when they occur. For this reason I do     not use Java moss with them, as it can harbor organic waste. About once a month the tank bottom will be siphoned up. A very thin layer of     gravel is fine as long as it stays reasonably clean.     They prefer to hide in plants, but are affected when mulm or decaying organic waste is allowed to collect beneath those plants. The ability to     lift up or remove plants to siphon up detritus that collects around them is essential.     They will eat their fry, so females should be isolated to have their young. Fortunately, with this species the females are small enough to be     comfortable in a pet store style net breeder. In this case I do use a little Java moss to provide hiding places for the fry and an obstacle to the     mother trying to get to them. Be sure to still leave the female swimming room. Keep the female in the breeder in the same tank if at all     possible. Be sure to feed her well in the breeder so she does not eat the young when they are born. Like all livebearers, the female generally     drops between sunup and noon. Remove her as soon as you see the young. Raise the young up on baby brine shrimp and finely crushed     flake food. A Vegetable algea tab or flake also greatly contributes to their health. 5-20 young are generally born.     A 20-30 gallon bare bottom (or thin layer of gravel) tank with aeration generated water movement, temp. in the mid 70’s, lightly-moderately     planted with medium light is perfect. Weekly 10% water changes, attention to keeping the bottom reasonably clear of mulm and a quality     flake food supplemented with baby brine shrimp occasionally will keep them at their best color and breeding condition. Provide a net     breeder for the females when they become gravid to collect the young, and raise the young separately from the adults for a fair period to     give them the best odds of survival.