TankBud

Blue-eyed livebearer

Priapella intermedia

Also known as Isthmian priapella, Mexican blue-eye

FreshwaterFish

Blue-eyed livebearer (Priapella intermedia)
Dbr · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Top
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Livebearer · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Poeciliidae
Origin
Native to the Rio Coatzacoalcos basin in Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico, in clear, flowing, well oxygenated streams.

Overview

The blue-eyed livebearer is a slender, active fish for the top of a calm tank. It takes a little experience to keep well.

Did you know

The blue-eyed livebearer's electric blue eyes flash most brightly under good conditions. A dull eye is often an early sign that something is wrong with the water or the fish.

Caring for the blue-eyed livebearer

Keep a group of blue-eyed livebearers in a longer planted tank of at least 24 gal (90 L). Leave open swimming room near the surface. Fit a tight lid, because this fish is a determined jumper.

Give them clean, oxygen-rich, medium hard water with good current. Hold the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) with a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. They are sensitive to poor water, so keep up regular water changes.

Feed floating foods such as flake and small frozen or freeze-dried insects, since they feed near the surface. Blue-eyed livebearers are peaceful and easily bullied, so give them calm tank mates or a species tank.

Males reach about 5 cm, and females about 2.8 in (7 cm). Unlike many relatives, males do not chase and harass females but court them with displays. Like its relatives, it is a livebearer, and breeding takes moderate effort.

Good to know

Priapella intermedia belongs to the guppy and swordtail family. Its main feature is a pair of brilliant sky blue eyes that glow against a plain silvery body. That vivid eyeshine comes from reflective tissue. It is also called the Isthmian priapella or the Mexican blue-eye.

In the wild

The blue-eyed livebearer is native to the Rio Coatzacoalcos basin in Veracruz and Oaxaca, Mexico. It lives in clear, flowing, well-oxygenated streams.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blue-eyed livebearer is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the top. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a blue-eyed livebearer need?

A blue-eyed livebearer needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the top.

What temperature and pH does a blue-eyed livebearer need?

A blue-eyed livebearer is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.0.

What does a blue-eyed livebearer eat?

A blue-eyed livebearer feeds near the surface. Give it floating foods such as flake and small frozen or freeze-dried insects.

How big does a blue-eyed livebearer get?

An adult blue-eyed livebearer reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How can you tell a male blue-eyed livebearer from a female?

Males reach about 5 cm, while females grow to about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How does a blue-eyed livebearer breed?

A blue-eyed livebearer is a livebearer, and breeding it takes moderate effort. Males court females with displays instead of chasing and harassing them.

Related species