Edit Heterandria formosa
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Name
Scientific name
Heterandria formosa
Described by
Authority Girard, Year 1859
Family
Poeciliidae
Common names
Least Killifish
Photograph credits
All 2 credited
Summary
The least killifish, Heterandria formosa, is a tiny livebearer from the United States, found in heavily vegetated margins of still or slugg…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
20mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Water movement Low: still or sluggish water
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 20–26°C, pH 7–8
Hardness
5–20dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
United States, Bogue Chitto, Caloosahatchee, Coosawhatchie, Everglades National Park, Frog Creek, Greenfield Lake, Haskell Wetlands, Hatchet Creek, Hillsborough, Kanawha, Kissimmee, Lake Okeechobee, Otter Creek, Pee Dee, Santee, Shark, St. Johns, St. Louis Canal, Stanley Creek, Steinhatchee, Wakulla
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
Type locality is 'Charleston, South Carolina and Palatka, Florida, U.S.A.'
Habitat
It's usually found in shallow, heavily-vegetated marginal areas of still or sluggish bodies of water. It can also be found in brackish conditions in some areas.
Aquarium size
A pair of these can be kept in a tank as small as 12" x 8" x 8" (30cm x 20cm x 20cm) - 12.5 litres.
Maintenance
A gently-filtered, heavily planted setup suits it best. Other decor can be added as you wish. Water flow must be kept to a minimum.
Water conditions
Temperature: It's a hardy species, being subject to a large range of temperatures in its natural waters. Somewhere between 68-78°F (20-26°C) is best in an aqua…
Diet
Unfussy and omnivorous, it will accept most foods offered. It's particularly fond of small live or frozen varieties such as brine shrimp or Daphnia, and the di…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not a community fish in the general sense, although it's very peaceful. Males in particular are so tiny that they will be seen as a snack by many of the common…
Sexual dimorphism
Males are much smaller than females and possess an enormous gonopodium.
Reproduction
Very easy. It's nigh on impossible to prevent it breeding if both sexes are present in an aquarium. Water parameters are unimportant, provided they are within …
Notes
This species is also referred to as 'mosquito fish', 'dwarf livebearer' or 'dwarf top minnow' in aquarium literature. , H. formosa is the smallest known livebe…
References
References
No references