CENTROPOMIDAE This family was at one time called Ambassidae. It contains some very transparent-bodied fishes popularly called Glassfishes, most of which come from the sea or brackish water. Only one or two small fresh or brackish-water Glassfishes are usually offered to the aquarist.One of the distinguishing characteristics of this species, which is sometimes mistaken by the novice for a Characin, is that the dorsal fin is in two parts separated by a deep notch.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Xiphophorus maculatus Popular name Platy.Origin Mexico and Guatemala.Size 2 inches.Appearance This species is shorter and chunkier than X. helleri,and does not bear a sword. Numerous varieties and hybrids with helleri and X. variatus have been developed. Some of the most popular are Red, Gold, Blue, Black, Tuxedo, Moon, Comet, Redwag, Yellow-wag, and Bleeding Heart. Like the X. variatuls, the maculatus Platies have been bred in all color varieties with elongated fins. These are called “Topsails.” Varieties with black fins are called “Wags,Behavior Its size, attractive colors, peaceful disposition, and algae nibbling habit make it an ideal community fish.Feeding, Water conditions, Sexing, Breeding Same as for other livebearers. A good-sized female produces 25 to 80 young.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Xiphophorul helleri Popular name Swordtail.Origin Mexico, Guatemala.Size 3.5 inches (excluding sword).Appearance The wild variety (Green Swordtail) is now rarely seen in aquaria; it has been replaced by many very attractive colour variations and hybrids with X. maculatus. The best known are (l) The Red . Swordtail, whose origin is a mystery, but it probably arose as a cross between a Green Swordtail (X.helleri) and a Red Platy (X. macu-latus var. rubra). (2) Red-eyed Red Swordtail. Perhaps the most attractive Swordtail. This is an albinistic mutation. (Note An albino is an animal lacking the brownish-black pigment melanin. It need not necessarily be colorless) (3) Albino Swordtail. A pink or creamy fish with pink eyes.Again the black pigment is gone but some yellow pigments remains.) (4) Gold Swordtail. The body color is yellow.Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Poecilia velifera popular name Sailfin Molly.Origin Coastal districts of Yucatan. Size 5 foot in the wild, under 4.5 inches in aquaria. Appearance chief interest lies in its saillike dorsal fin, which is larger than that borne by any other Molly. It has a fin ray count of . approximately 18 while P. latipinna with the next largest dorsal fin has a count of approximately 13. The body of the fish is olive green with a bluish sheen. The body and fins are decorated with dark reticulations and spots.Behavior Can be kept in a community tank, but best kept with its own kind in a large, well-planted, sunny tank.Feeding Besides usual foods must have vegetable matter such as algae, spinach, or lettuce.Recommended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Poecilia reticulata Popular name Guppy, or Millions Fish. Origin Venezuela. Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil, Guiana.Size Males l.5 inches, Females 2 inches.Appearance This fish shows a number of forms and color variations, even in the wild state. As a result of selective breeding and crossing established strains, a host of new strains have been developed. These are largely classified according to the color and finnage of the male. The size and shape of the caudal fin is of prime importance in this respect. The terms used are self-explanatory, e.g. Cofertail, Pintail, Speartail, Robson (round tail), Top Sword, Bottom Sword. Double Sword. Lyretail. Deltatail. Flagtail. Scarf tail. and Veiltail. Recommeneded feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Poecilia latipinna Popular name Green Sailfin Molly.Origin Southern and Gulf States of U.S.A., ranging into Mexico. Size 5 inches. in the aquarium just under 4 inches. Appearance This is the Molly usually available to aquarists,P. velifera being much more difficult to come by. Both Mollies have large sail-like dorsals, that in p, latipinna being smaller and much less handsome.The dorsal in P. latipinna is very variable. In only a few specimens is it fully developed. The body of the fish is olive brown with a pearly or bluish sheen in places. Behavior Good community fish. Feeding, Water conditiom, and Sexing As for P. vclifera. Breeding large females may produce just over 100 young, each measuring approximately 1/3 inch in length. Fry must have plenty of swimming room. Large dorsals develop in large outdoor pools, not in tanks. Tank-bred males usually remain rather small. Dorsal fin development occurs in the second year.Recommened feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Rivulus cylindraceus Popular name Green, Brown, or Cuban Rivulus. Origin Cuba Florida. Size Male l.5 inches Female 2 inches.Appearance A greenish-brown fish, with yellow to orange belly.The body is sprinkled with green and red spots.Behavior Fairly peaceful, suitable for community tank. Feeding Accepts all foods.Water conditions Not critical. Usually bred in neutral to slightly acid, moderately soft water.Sexing Ocellus on caudal peduncle of female. Breeding A surface spawner (see above, under Genus Aphyosemion.) Best to breed with one male and two or three females; 100-150 eggs laid by female in about 8 days. Eggs hatch in 10-15 days at 78°F.Recommended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Fundulus heteroclitus.Popular name Local or Bait Killie. Origin Atlantic Coast from Cannda to Mexico.Size To 4.5 inches.Appearance Very variable. The male is often greenish-brown with transverse iridescent blue bands on flank. The female is ochre and only very faintly banded. Different varieties have yellowish or reddish fins. Behavior Rather peaceful for such a large fish.Feeding Accepts all foods. Water conditions Hard alkaline water with salt added at the rate of one or two teaspoonfuls per gallon. Temperature dependent on origin, usually between 65°F.-72°F. Sexing As above. Brooding See breeding surface spawners above, under Genera APlocheilus and Oryzias. Spawns over one or two weeks. Eggs hatch in 12 to 14 days. Recommened feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Fundulus chrysotus Popular name Golden Ear.Origin Eastern coast of U.S.A. from South Carolina to Florida.Size 3 inches. Appearance An olive-green fish with numerous green and red spots on flanks and fins. Behavior Can be kept in community tank with fish its own size. Feeding Accepts all foods. Water conditions Slightly brackish to fresh water (1 teaspoonful of salt to 3 gallons of water). Not critical regarding pH and hardness. Temperature 73°F.-78°F. Sexing Females are paler and less colorful. Breeding Lays a few eggs each day in thick bushy plants, which must be removed to separate tank for hatching. Eggs hatch in 8 to 12 days. See also breeding surface spawners above, under Genus Aphyosemion. Recommended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.

Cynolebias nigripinnis Regan 1912 Popular name Blackfinned Pearlfish. Origin Parana River in Argentina. Size 1.5 inch.Appearance Male has a velvety black body and fins covered with numerous light green or blue spots. Female is ochre-colored with irregular markings.Behavior A delicate, fairly peaceful species.Feeding Live and fresh foods.Water conditions Moderately soft, slightly acid water. Sexing As above. Breeding As for genus (see Genus Cynolebais). Difficult to breed and rear young.Recomended feeding system Aquaze Tropical.