The Poecílidos or Vivíparos, are warm water fish that enjoy great popularity within the aquarium , since they directly generate fry that grow very quickly.
The geographic distribution area of these fish goes from the south of the United States, to the north of Argentina, as well as the coastal rivers of Central America.
Their natural habitat is highly diversified , they can be found in calm rivers, at the mouth of some large rivers, even in some brackish lagoons.
Poecílids prefer aquariums with hard, alkaline waters, slightly salty.
All the Poecílidos are omnivorous, although in their feeding a contribution of green algae is advisable .
Mosquito fish
Gambusia affinis holbrooki
It is a small fishnative to southern and eastern North America. Its name «Mosquito fish» is due to the fact that it was introduced all over the world for the biological fight against mosquitoes and therefore, itis considered an invasive species. It is a great consumer of mosquito larvae and algae.
It is a fish that supports progressive drops in temperature, reaching 15º, although to mate it needs temperatures around 24º.
It can breed between 40 and 60 individuals, which are born every five to eight weeks. It is very easy to breed.
Giant fin molly
Poecilia latipinna
They are native to the southeastern United States. It is possible to find them from Carolina to the Mexican marshes.
A great curiosity about these fish is that theymutate spontaneously. It is possible to find albino, red or black mollys.
Although it is recommended for beginners, it must be taken into account that they need spacious aquariums, in which there is good vegetation.
They are not very demanding with the composition of the water, but the temperature has to oscillate between 24º and 26º.
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
This is a very, very popular aquarium fish among aquarium hobbyists.
We owe their name to Dr. R. Guppy, who discovered them in Trinidad in 1866.
They are very robust fish thatreproduce easily. In addition, they are not excessively large, the males can measure between three and 4 centimeters and a maximum of 6 the females.
It is recommended to add a teaspoon of salt for every 10 liters of water, and maintain a temperature between 22º and 28º. The aquarium must be at least 80 liters.
See more: Guppy fish
Guppy endler
Poecilia wingei
The Guppy Endler is related to the Guppy, Poecilia reticulata, in fact, if they were left together in the aquarium they could procreate and hybridize, giving rise to healthy and fertile fish, but from which we would no longer control their morphological characteristics.
It is an endemic fish native to Venezuela , where we can find it in lagoons, places with little current.
They are docile and calm species, but very small, so they must share space with fish of similar sizes.
Their diet is very simple, since we are dealing with omnivorous fish, which will admit almost any type of food.
See: Guppy Endler
Black molly
Poecilia sphenops
This fish is larger than the Guppy. Although variable,males can measure between 7 and 8 centimeters and females, reach 10-12 centimeters.
We can find Black Molly in its natural state in Texas, Colombia and Venezuela.
Like all Mollys, it needs large aquariums to reproduce, with abundant vegetation and algae. They usually swim on the surface.
Hard water, contributions of salt, andtemperatures between 24º and 27º in the breeding season.
Sailing molly
Poecilia velífera
The sail molly differs from the rest of its species by the size of its dorsal fin, which starts from a very forward position in its anatomy.
It can be found in the brackish waters of the American and Mexican Southeast, near the mouths of rivers.
Of the Poecílidos itis one of the most delicate species, itdemands habitual changes of water and a constant temperature between 26º and 28º.
The male usually measures 10 to 12 centimeters, while the female reaches 18 centimeters in the adult state. They are not very prolific.
See more: Molly fish
Swordtail fish
Xiphophorus helleri
The first swordtail fish introduced in Europe date back to 1907. Interestingly, those first greenish xiphos did not yet have such a developed sword.
Its natural habitat is found in the rivers of Mexico and Guatemala.
They are called swordtail fish, because males of about 10 centimeters, exhibit an elongation of the lower rays of their tail fin in the shape of a sword. At presentwe can find many varieties in colors and veils.
The water must be hard, with a pH between 7 and 8, with temperatures around 24º.
Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
Platys can be found in coastal areas of Mexico and Guatemala, where they seek calm waters.
In their natural state, they areolive-green fish, although numerous hybridizations have been carried out, which have resulted in stronger, more peaceful varieties withvery original colors: red, scarlet, blue and black.
They are small fish, the hands are about 3.5 centimeters and the females, about 6 centimeters.
See: Platy Fish
Assorted platy
Xiphophours variatus
The origin is also Mexico and Guatemala.
This variety of Platy is a little older,males can measure about 5.5 centimeters and females 7 centimeters.
They reproduce easily. They can have up to a hundred small fry.
They are not very demanding in the composition of the water, although they dorequire temperatures between 23º and 26º.
Mosquito fish
Gambusia affinis
Although it is not a fish in high demand by aquarists, itis very easy to breed and keep in the aquarium.
Unlike other Poecílids, it is a much less striking fish in its coloration.
This fish isnative to Mexico and the southern United States,but it is currently possible to find it in more than 60 different locations.
In recent years, it has been introduced as an animal for the biological fight against certain disease-spreading mosquitoes.
What they perhaps did not have is its ability to adapt, as well as its danger to local species, which it gets to corner.
It is a somewhat nervous and aggressive fishTherefore, it is advisable to keep it only in the aquarium, or with species that it cannot bother.
See: Mosquito Fish
