TankBud

Humpbacked limia

Limia nigrofasciata

Also known as Blackbarred limia, Black Striped Limia, Humpback limia

FreshwaterFish

Humpbacked limia (Limia nigrofasciata)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
7.0–8.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Livebearer · Easy
Rarity
Common
Family
Poeciliidae
Origin
Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic)

Overview

The humpbacked limia is a mostly peaceful livebearer for the middle of a tank with hard, alkaline water. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The humpbacked limia's hump is the males showing off. A male raises it during courtship to look bigger to females and to rival males.

Caring for the humpbacked limia

Keep humpbacked limias as a colony of six to eight in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or larger. Give them open swimming room in the middle of the tank, with some plants around the edges.

They need warm, hard, alkaline water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.5. This fish does poorly in soft, acidic conditions, and a bit of mineral hardness keeps it in good shape.

Feed a varied diet with some vegetable matter worked in, since humpbacked limias graze on plant material in the wild. They are mostly peaceful, but they will eat dwarf shrimp and may nip other livebearers. Pick tank mates that can handle their steady activity and won't get their fins picked at.

Males are a touch smaller than females, and a mature male's back arches up into a tall, sail-like ridge. Females stay slim and plain by comparison. Keep more females than males to spread out the males' constant courtship.

Humpbacked limias bear live young rather than laying eggs, and broods of large fry arrive every few weeks. They are easy to breed.

Good to know

The humpbacked limia, Limia nigrofasciata, is a livebearer in the family Poeciliidae. Most fish in the trade are tank bred, and a healthy adult can live a few years.

In the wild

The humpbacked limia comes from Hispaniola, in the lakes and streams of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The water there runs hard and alkaline.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The humpbacked limia is a mostly 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a humpbacked limia need?

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

What temperature and pH does a humpbacked limia need?

A humpbacked limia is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 7.0–8.5.

What does a humpbacked limia eat?

A humpbacked limia eats a varied diet with some vegetable matter worked in, since it grazes on plant material in the wild. It will also eat dwarf shrimp.

How big does a humpbacked limia get?

An adult humpbacked limia reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How can you tell a male humpbacked limia from a female?

Males are a touch smaller than females, and a mature male's back arches up into a tall, sail-like ridge. Females stay slim and plain by comparison.

How does a humpbacked limia breed?

A humpbacked limia bears live young rather than laying eggs. It is easy to breed, and broods of large fry arrive every few weeks.

Related species