Catemaco platy

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Catemaco platy
Systematics
Order : Toothpies (Cyprinodontiformes)
Subordination : Cyprinodontoidei
Family : Viviparous toothcarps (Poeciliidae)
Subfamily : Live-bearing toothcarps (Poeciliinae)
Genre : Xiphophorus
Type : Catemaco platy
Scientific name
Xiphophorus milleri
Roses , 1960

The Catemaco-Platy ( Xiphophorus milleri ) is a species of fish from the subfamily of the viviparous toothcarps (Poeciliinae). The fish remain relatively small, this is especially true for the males.

Appearance and Distribution

The common name of the species gives an indication of its origin: Lake Catemaco in Mexico in the state of Veracruz . The species occurs in the lake itself and in its tributaries. In the lake it prefers shallow stretches of water. The males do not carry a sword (no elongated lower caudal fin rays ), are up to 2.5 cm long and thus usually remain significantly smaller than the males of Xiphophorus pygmaeus , the dwarf sword-bearer . As is common with most toothcarps, males can be recognized by their narrow gonopodium , which is used for internal fertilization. Adult females can reach a total length of 4.5 cm, are significantly higher back than the males, appear more stocky and their anal fin is triangular.

The basic body color of the animals is brown-gray with a lighter part on the belly. A small round spot in the base of the tail is typical for a large number of individuals. Males and females can have a black stripe between the anal fin and the base of the tail. Some males have a black gonopodium. There is also a color morph, which is more or less marked with black dots in the back of the body.

Xiphophorus milleri prefers less flowing water with an often muddy bottom and a temperature of 22-25 ° C.

Keeping and breeding

Since it is a small species, it should not be kept with rough fish. The pool should be well planted, offer hiding places and hold at least 60 liters of water. The females throw young fish every approx. 30 days, which are approx. 5 mm tall at birth, which is why the parents are rarely allowed to stalk their young.

The animals are omnivorous ( omnivores ). However, breeding success can only be achieved if the animals are offered a varied diet and, above all, live feed. The brine shrimp ( Artemia salina ) is gladly taken, but also enchytrae (Enchytraeidae) and even the relatively large red mosquito larvae are gladly eaten. For raising the entkapsulierten have nauplii or newly hatched brine shrimp proven. These fish do not have great demands on the water parameters (temperature 20–25 ° C, GH up to 15 ° dH, pH 7–8), but a regular partial water change is recommended.

literature

  • Rüdiger Riehl , Hans A. Baensch (Ed.): Aquariums Atlas. Volume 2, 6th edition. Melle 1993.
  • Manfred K. Meyer, Lothar Wischnath, Wolfgang Foerster: Livebearers ornamental fish. Kinds of the world. Keeping-care-breeding. Melle 1985.

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