Livebearer fish are some of the most fascinating marine creatures. Instead of laying eggs, they produce fully formed live young. They only make up a tiny percent of fish species globally, but many types of livebearers captivate marine life enthusiasts. Additionally, livebearers are usually very hardy, so they’re a popular choice for home aquarium owners.
Check out these great facts about livebearer fish and learn whether they’re a good choice for your freshwater aquarium.
1. Livebearer Species Include Mollies and Swordtail
An estimated 15 of the 480 different fish families are livebearers. Some examples of popular livebearer fish include:
- Guppies: These tiny fish are amongst the most popular pets in the world. Guppies only grow about two inches, so keeping several in a 20-gallon tank is easy. They’re available in many colors and patterns, making them a beautiful addition to any home aquarium.
- Mollies: Mollies are also very popular livebearers. Look out for the difference between males and females; if you mix the two, they’ll reproduce endlessly. The former has a pointy anal fin while the latter has a fan-shaped anal fin. There are many hybrids available in a range of vivid colors, and they reach up to five inches in length.
- Swordtails: If you want a slightly larger livebearer, consider getting a swordtail. They can reach six inches in length and have a distinctive extended fin on their tail. This gives them a unique aesthetic that many fishkeepers love.
- Platies: The platy is another very popular pet fish. It’s one of the most widely available livebearers. It’s also possible to crossbreed platies with other species, including swordtails.
2. Many Livebearers Suit Small Aquariums
The ideal tank and habitat parameters will vary between livebearer species. However, we can make some generalizations. Typically, they are small fish, so they don’t require massive tanks. Usually, a home aquarium of 10 to 20 gallons will suffice. Longer aquariums are best because they give the fish enough space to roam. They will be less competitive and territorial with this set-up, too. Maintain a tight lid because these little fish love jumping from the water and attempting to escape the aquarium.
Most livebearers require slightly hard water with a pH just above seven. So, you can use tap water but always use conditioner first to neutralize the toxic chlorine levels. As previously noted, they tend to be hardy species. Livebearers can typically stand a range of temperatures from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They’re fairly low-maintenance fish for your home aquarium. We also advise adding a teaspoon of sea salt to their tank, which is good for their gills and helps prevent diseases. Also, add live aquarium plants to enrich their environment.
3. Livebearers Are Usually Omnivorous
It’s very easy to feed livebearers because they’re omnivorous fish. Owners can primarily give them commercial fish flakes because they contain sufficient nutrients. Livebearers need plenty of protein, so ensure they get enough as part of a balanced diet. You can add more variety by giving them bloodworms and brine shrimp as tasty treats. Some owners may even add live foods, like water fleas, because they provide enrichment for their pet fish. Be sure to only buy live foods from reputable marine dealers to reduce the risk of introducing parasites to your aquarium.
Remember only to give your fish food that they can finish in two minutes. First-time fish owners often overfeed their pets, causing obesity. Meanwhile, excess food can increase nitrogen levels in the aquarium and boost algae growth. By being mindful of how much you feed your fish (as well as outfitting your fish tank with a strong filter), you can prevent waste build-up and reduce how often you must clean your aquarium.
4. Livebearers Can Easily Reproduce
Many aquarists purchase livebearers because they enjoy watching them reproduce and create offspring with different color variations. We advise keeping at least four females for every male fish. This reduces the stress on the female fish when reproducing. In this process, the male inseminates the female with his anal fin by transferring sperm cells. Shortly after, the female will release several broods of fry. She’ll also store some of the sperm cells in her body, allowing her to release broods every 30 days.
You can tell if a livebearer is pregnant by a dark spot near the abdomen. Usually, it takes about four weeks for most livebearers to release their young or fry. So, don’t be shocked to suddenly see many tiny fish in the tank. However, be wary because the adult fish, including their parents, will eat them if they are peckish!
Adding live plants to your aquarium will give young fry a better chance of survival. Owners should also note that if the young fish survive and grow, they may need a larger tank.
5. Suitable Tankmates Include Tetras and Rainbowfish
Livebearers are generally peaceful, meaning they can get along with many types of tankmates. You could mix with other livebearer species but be wary of the risk of crossbreeding. Another good option is getting mellow fish, like tetras or rainbowfish.
Avoid choosing aggressive fish, like tiger barbs. They may nip your livebearer’s long fins and cause extreme stress. If you’re not careful, tiger barbs will also prey on newly released fry. Regardless of what tankmates you add to your livebearer tank, keep a low male-to-female ratio to avoid overbreeding. What’s more, male fish may fight each other and bother the female fish with courtship rituals. You want to do everything possible to keep a clean and healthy freshwater aquarium.
