TankBud

Bumblebee goodeid

Allotoca dugesii

Also known as Opal allotoca, Bumblebee allotoca

FreshwaterFish

Bumblebee goodeid (Allotoca dugesii)

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–79°F
18–26°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Livebearer · Medium
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Goodeidae
Origin
Endemic to the highlands of Michoacan and Jalisco, Mexico, in the upper Rio Lerma basin, Lake Patzcuaro, and nearby springs and lakes.

Overview

The bumblebee goodeid is a dark, velvety livebearer for a planted, hard-water tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

A dominant bumblebee goodeid male in breeding color can look almost jet black. He dulls down quickly when he is moved or stressed.

Caring for the bumblebee goodeid

Keep a group of six or more bumblebee goodeids in 20 gal (75 L) or larger. A planted tank with some current and quiet corners out of the flow suits them.

Give them medium hard to hard water at 64 to 79°F (18 to 26°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Feed a balanced diet of vegetable flake and algae, with modest amounts of frozen daphnia and brine shrimp. They graze algae and take most foods.

Bumblebee goodeids are mostly peaceful, but choose their tank mates with caution. They do best in a species tank or with other calm goodeids.

Males show near-black bodies with bright yellow to orange fins, and they stay a little smaller than females. The bumblebee goodeid is a livebearer, and breeding it is of medium difficulty. Females can carry large broods and give birth to well-developed young. Go easy on very rich foods, since overfeeding can leave a female overgravid and struggling to give birth.

Good to know

Allotoca dugesii is a matrotrophic goodeid, meaning the mother feeds her developing young internally through trophotaeniae. It is listed as endangered in the wild, and aquarium breeding helps hold a safety population. The bumblebee name comes from the male's colors.

In the wild

The bumblebee goodeid is endemic to the highlands of Michoacan and Jalisco, Mexico. It lives in the upper Rio Lerma basin, Lake Patzcuaro, and nearby springs and lakes.

Common questions

What size tank does a bumblebee goodeid need?

A bumblebee goodeid needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a bumblebee goodeid need?

A bumblebee goodeid is comfortable at 64–79°F (18–26°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a bumblebee goodeid eat?

A bumblebee goodeid eats a balanced diet of vegetable flake and algae, with modest amounts of frozen daphnia and brine shrimp. Go easy on very rich foods.

How big does a bumblebee goodeid get?

An adult bumblebee goodeid reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How can you tell a male bumblebee goodeid from a female?

Males show near-black bodies with bright yellow to orange fins. They also stay a little smaller than females.

How does a bumblebee goodeid breed?

Bumblebee goodeids are livebearers that give birth to well-developed young, and breeding them is of medium difficulty. Females can carry large broods, and overfeeding rich foods can leave them struggling to give birth.

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