Dwarf livebearer

Care at a glance

Overview

A group of eight or more fits a planted tank of 20 liters or larger at 24 to 28 C, pH 6.8 to 7.8, in soft to medium hard water. Feed tiny foods such as crushed flake, microworms, baby brine shrimp, and cyclops. They are far too small and timid for a general community, so keep them alone or with other nano species like small rasboras. Keep the lid closed and the water clean and warm.

In the wild

One of the smallest livebearers in the hobby, ideal for a warm planted nano tank. Both sexes carry a row of dark vertical bars over a pale gold body, giving the tiger teddy name. They are shy and want dense planting, gentle flow, and very clean water. Keep the temperature warm and stable.

Good to know

Neoheterandria elegans grows to only about 2 cm in males and 2.5 cm in females, among the smallest livebearing fish kept by aquarists. It is a superfetating livebearer, carrying several broods at different stages at once and dropping just a few fry per day over several days rather than a single large batch.

Did you know

Adults largely ignore their own fry, so a well planted tank of tiger teddies quietly fills with youngsters without a separate breeding setup.

Related species

• 

  Black-barred livebearer

  Quintana atrizona

  1.3 in (3.4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Least killifish

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  1.4 in (3.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
• Fourspotted toothcarp

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  1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)

• 

  Endler's livebearer

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• 

  Melanzona Guppy

  Poecilia parae

  2 in (5 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Spiketail platy

  Xiphophorus xiphidium

  2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)