[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: The Littlest Livebearer

Nice article Dave. Thank You do you have further plans for it ? Can we
put it on the website.


>                                                          The Littlest
Livebearer
>                                                                 David
L.Hall
>                                                             813
Williams Ave.
>                                                            Madera, CA
93637  
>                                                        
dahall at lightspeed_net
>
>>From the bayous of Louisiana to the swamps and ditches of Florida and 
>north
>to the ponds of southeastern North Carolina the Least killie, 
>Heterandria
>formosa, lives its life relatively unnoticed because of its diminutive
>size.  Yet this little livebearer deserves to be noticed by aquarists 
>as it
>is easily kept and requires little attention.
>
>I have kept this little fish off and on for years and it has been one 
>of my
>favorites because it is hardy and tolerates a variety of water 
>conditions
>so it can be kept it many places with local water.  Temperature is not 
>a
>critical issue as with most native fish it tolerates a wide range of
>temperatures in its native range. In fact I once collected it in the
>Panhandle of Florida when it was so cold that the little fish froze to 
>the
>net when lifted out of the water, but recovered quite nicely when I 
>put it
>in the water in my collecting bucket!  H. formosa does well in 
>temperatures
>that most tropical fish prefer 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
>
>I have collected the Least killie on several occasions in Florida and 
>in a
>variety of locations from ditches in the panhandle to lakes in south
>central.  In every instance they were most abundant in the aquatic
>vegetation.  I believe plants are a must in the H. formosa tank so 
>that the
>adult feel comfortable and that the babies can hide.  During courtship 
>the
>males can become quite aggressive toward other males as well as toward 
>the
>females and so adequate cover should be provided.  In good condition 
>these
>fish breed often, like many livebearers, but the female Least killies 
>give
>birth to several fry over a period of 3 to 4 days.  Parents rarely eat
>their young and the babies will feed on infusoria found on algae, 
>plants or
>snails.
>
>This little livebearer should have a tank of its own unless a suitable
>tankmate can be found that will not eat them as the females rarely 
>exceed 1
>1/5 inches and the males are only about 4/5 of an inch.  Filtration is 
>not
>critical because H. formosa is usually often found in locations with 
>low
>oxygen levels.  Regular water changes are highly recommended and are
>beneficial to the health of the fish.
>
>These are not beautiful fish but are far from ugly.  They are 
>olive-gray
>with a broad black stripe running the length of the fish.  The black 
>spots
>on the dorsal and anal fins are very conspicuous and occasionally one 
>can
>find a mottled form.  It has been reported that H. formosa has been 
>found
>with red spots and some take on a light golden hue.
>
>The Least killie is an easy fish to keep and an easy fish to breed.  
>It
>would be a good fish to use to introduce aquarists to the joys of 
>native
>fish keeping.  I believe as more people discover this little 
>livebearer he
>will become a favorite of others.  If you haven't tried H. formosa you 
>are
>in for a treat. 
>
>     
>

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
References: