Edit Girardinus metallicus

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Name

Scientific name

Girardinus metallicus

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Poeciliidae

Common names

Metallic Girardinus

Photograph credits

All 1 credited

Summary

The metallic girardinus, Girardinus metallicus, is a small livebearer from Cuba. It lives in streams, ponds and ditches where the water is …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

60mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 45 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 22–27°C, pH 6.5–8

Hardness

8–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Not recorded

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Cuba.

Habitat

It can be found in streams, ponds and ditches. The water is commonly stagnant and often brackish.

Aquarium size

45 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm

Maintenance

A well-planted tank with some floating cover is ideal for this species. Water should be medium hard and alkaline or brackish.

Water conditions

Temperature: 22 – 27 °C pH: 6.5-8.0 Hardness: 8-20 dH

Diet

Omnivorous and the diet should include small frozen, live and dried foods with a high vegetable content.

Behaviour and compatibility

Peaceful but does appreciate brackish conditions, so tankmates should be chosen with care. If keeping in hard freshwater, then hardy corydoras, tetras and smal…

Sexual dimorphism

Males possess a gonopodium and are smaller in size than females. Male fish also have a black 'stripe' which runs from the mouth along the underside of the fish…

Reproduction

Very easy if soft, acidic water conditions are avoided. Reproduces in standard livebearer fashion. As with other species, the males can be somewhat incessant i…

Very easy if soft, acidic water conditions are avoided. Reproduces in standard livebearer fashion. As with other species, the males can be somewhat incessant in their pursuit of females, so we recommend that several females should be kept to every male in order to dissipate this. Areas of dense planting will also help. Gestation takes around 24 days and broods of between 15-30 fry can be expected. The adult fish will predate on the young so the best method of raising them is to remove the gravid female to a separate tank and allow her to give birth there, before returning her to the main aquarium. The use of breeding nets or traps is not recommended as their small size is not suitable for raising fry. The fry are quite large and will accept brine shrimp nauplii or powdered flake from birth. They should also be fed vegetable matter such as blanched spinach or spirulina. They grow very quickly if fed 2-3 times per day.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

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Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

This species was introduced into the aquarium trade in the early 20th century but disappeared soon after. It subsequently reappeared in a Berlin zoo in 1965 an…

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References