Dwarf livebearer
Neoheterandria elegans
Also known as Tiger teddy, Elegant livebearer
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- 24–28°C
- pH
- 6.8–7.8
- Adult size
- 1 in
- 2.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 5 gal
- 20 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Poeciliidae
- Origin
- Native to the Rio Truando in the Atrato drainage of Colombia, in warm, slow, well vegetated waters.
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.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Dwarf livebearer is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Pagoda snail
Brotia pagodula
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Mini bumblebee goby
Brachygobius xanthomelas
Freshwater0.8 in (2 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Least killifish
Heterandria formosa
FreshwaterBrackish1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Red skunk shrimp
Caridina gracilirostris
FreshwaterBrackish1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Dusky nerite snail
Neritina pulligera
FreshwaterBrackish1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Dwarf livebearer need?
A Dwarf livebearer needs at least 5 gal (20 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Dwarf livebearer need?
A Dwarf livebearer is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.8–7.8.
How big does a Dwarf livebearer get?
An adult Dwarf livebearer reaches about 1 in (2.5 cm).
Related species
1.3 in (3.4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Black-barred livebearer
Quintana atrizona
1.3 in (3.4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Dwarf merry widow
Phallichthys tico
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)Fourspotted toothcarp
Phallichthys quadripunctatus
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)5 gal (20 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Least killifish
Heterandria formosa
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)11 gal (40 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Dwarf molly
Poecilia chica
1.6 in (4 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)5 gal (20 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)Endler's livebearer
Poecilia wingei
1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (20 L)