What is meant by Livebearer fish?

What is meant by Livebearer fish?

Definition of live-bearer : a fish that brings forth living young rather than eggs especially : any of a family (Poeciliidae) of numerous small surface-feeding fishes (such as a molly or swordtail)

What aquarium fish have live babies?

Livebearers are aquarium fish that retain the eggs inside the body and give birth to live, free-swimming young. Among aquarium fish, livebearers are nearly all members of the family Poeciliidae and include guppies, mollies, platies and swordtails.

What is the best livebearer?

Livebearer Fish Families There are four families of fish that are livebearers: Poeciliidae or live-bearing toothcarp includes guppies, mollies, platies, swordtails and mosquito fish. This family includes almost 200 different species. The poecillidae are the most commonly found livebearer fish found in aquariums.

Are cichlids live-bearing fish?

There are no live-bearing cichlids, though there are a number of other fish families that give birth to live young. Activity can be diurnal or nocturnal, depending on the species. Cichlids display numerous complex behaviors in feeding, reproduction, and parental care.

What is the biggest livebearer fish?

Most of what was said about Sailfin Mollies also applies to Yucatan Mollies. As the largest commonly found livebearers, they need a minimum of 30 gallons of space. Males can reach up to 6 inches, though are usually smaller.

How do you feed a livebearer?

Caring for Livebearers Livebearers are omnivores and require both algae-based foods as well as meaty foods. A varied diet including algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp will provide proper nutrition to a wide range of different livebearer species.

Should you help a fish give birth?

After Your Fish Gives Birth For many species, it’s important to keep fertilized eggs and newly hatched fish, or fry, separate from the adults. Some fish eat their own young while others eat the young of other species. Keeping the fish eggs and fry separate from the adult fish may give them a better chance of survival.

How long do livebearers live for?

Livebearers Behavior/Compatibility Most livebearers live 5 to 7 years. Good tank mates include tetras, rasboras, danios, peaceful barbs and rainbowfish. Always consult an aquarium expert before buying any new fish for your aquarium.

Will cichlids breed in a community tank?

While some species of fish are difficult to breed in an aquarium environment, many types of cichlid breed readily in captivity under the right conditions. Large breeds of cichlid can lay hundreds of eggs at a time but, most of the time, only a few fry survive and grow to maturity if left in the community tank.

Are Endlers livebearers schooling fish?

Endler guppies are not schooling fish and as such do not need to be kept in groups. An Endeler will be perfectly happy living alone or in an aquarium with other ‘community’ fish. Ideally, Endlers should NOT be kept in a pair as the male will constantly harass the female.

How long do Endlers take to mature?

Endler’s livebearer fry mature extremely fast, and most will reach breeding maturity at approximately two months of age. The males will take on adult coloration at around 4-5 weeks of age, though the females seems to mature slightly slower.

How often do livebearers give birth?

every four to eight weeks
Birth of Livebearers Depending on water conditions, temperature, and diet some livebearers can have broods as often as every four to eight weeks. You can tell if a female is ready to give birth by her enlarged abdomen or a dark spot located near her anal fin. The spot will turn darker as her delivery date nears.

How long are livebearers pregnant?

around 28 days
Once mated, gestation takes around 28 days. A single female can give birth to between 5 and 80 fry depending on age and her size. Larger broods are occasionally reported. Pregnant or gravid females are very easily identified by their gravid spot.