Black-Bellied Limia

A small Jamaican livebearer with a dark belly patch on females and blue and yellow on males. It needs hard, alkaline water, and it is easy to breed.

Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.

Males have a gonopodium, which is a modified anal fin used for mating. Females are larger and rounder.

Provide dense plants or floating cover for fry and for females that want a rest from males, and keep the water hard and alkaline.

Active, hardy and always on the move, with males displaying to females.

Keep a group, with two or three females for every male.

Not territorial, although some males chase each other.

Suits a peaceful community that likes hard water. Avoid fin nippers. Adults may eat shrimplets. It may eat baby shrimp.

Keep the pH steady, because this fish is sensitive to swings.

An omnivore with a strong need for algae and plant matter. Feed vegetable-based flake alongside small frozen foods.

Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.

Gives birth to live young, with no special setup needed. Adults may eat fry, so provide dense plants or move a heavily pregnant female to a separate, planted tank.