Girardinus metallicus, Poey, 1855
Metallic livebearer

Origin: Cuba. Here the fish inhabit ponds, lakes and streams. Feeds on diatoms, algae, detritus, insect larvae and aquatic vegetation.

Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Cyprinodontiformes Family: Poeciliidae (poeciliids) Subfamily: Poeciliinae

Etymology: metallicus(L): named after the metallic shine

Synonyms: Girardinus garmani, Eigenmann, 1903. Girardinus pygmaeus, Rivas, 1944. Heterandria cubensis, Heterandria metallica, Poecilia metallica.

First European import: 1863

Description: See pictures

Care: Well suited for the community tank, Girardinus metallicus is lively and peacefull, and can be kept together with small fish. They prefer clear water with little or no current, and well planted tanks. Some floating plants underneath which the fish can hide are highly appreciated. The fish shouldn't be kept in very small aquariums, best 60 cm or larger.

Temperature: 20-26 degrees.

Feeding: Omnivorous, needs some plant matter(algae) as well as.

Size: Males 5 cm, females 9 cm.

pH: 6.5-7.5, Hardness 10-25 dGH

Breeding: Easy, between 10 and 100 fry(depending on the size of the female) are born every 4-6 weeks, which can grow really fast and reach adult size in three months. For a large spawn it is necessary to separate the fry from the parents, since older females will sometimes eat the fry.

Sexual dimorphism: Males are much more colorful and smaller than females.

Prices: 2-3€

Additional: Some males are black on the lower half, see breeding picture.

Picture references: All pictures E. Naus

References:Baensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.

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