TankBud

Goldbreast splitfin

Ilyodon furcidens

Also known as Goldbreast goodeid, Trout goodeid

FreshwaterFish

Goldbreast splitfin (Ilyodon furcidens)
Andrewbogott · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–79°F
18–26°C
pH
7.0–8.0
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
24 gal
90 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Livebearer · Easy
Rarity
Rare
Family
Goodeidae
Origin
Native to Pacific slope rivers of Colima, Jalisco, and Michoacan, Mexico, such as the Rio Armeria and Rio Coahuayana, in flowing, well oxygenated water.

Overview

The goldbreast splitfin is a fast, boisterous livebearer for a long tank with brisk flow. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The goldbreast splitfin's trout-like shape and love of current are why hobbyists often call it the trout goodeid.

Caring for the goldbreast splitfin

Keep a group of six or more goldbreast splitfins in a longer tank of 24 gal (90 L) or larger. They are streamlined, active fish built for current. Give them open swimming lanes with some rockwork to suit their fast, restless habits.

Keep the water medium hard to hard, at 64 to 79°F (18 to 26°C) and a pH of 7.0 to 8.0. Provide brisk flow and high oxygen. Feed a varied diet of vegetable flake, algae and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm.

Goldbreast splitfins are mostly peaceful but boisterous and fast, so pick tank mates that can handle active company. Males squabble but rarely cause real damage.

Males can show a golden to orange breast and yellow-edged fins. The goldbreast splitfin is a livebearer, and its fry are born large and well formed. Breeding is easy.

Good to know

The goldbreast splitfin, Ilyodon furcidens, is a matrotrophic goodeid, and its fry develop with trophotaeniae. The genus is variable. Tooth and body shape differ between populations that mainly graze algae and those that feed more on invertebrates.

In the wild

The goldbreast splitfin is native to Pacific slope rivers of Colima, Jalisco and Michoacan, Mexico, such as the Rio Armeria and Rio Coahuayana. It lives in flowing, well-oxygenated water. There it grazes algae heavily and also chases small invertebrates.

Common questions

What size tank does a goldbreast splitfin need?

A goldbreast splitfin needs at least 24 gal (90 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a goldbreast splitfin need?

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

What does a goldbreast splitfin eat?

A goldbreast splitfin eats a varied diet of vegetable flake, algae and frozen foods such as daphnia and bloodworm.

How big does a goldbreast splitfin get?

An adult goldbreast splitfin reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

How can you tell a male goldbreast splitfin from a female?

Males can show a golden to orange breast and yellow-edged fins.

How does a goldbreast splitfin breed?

Goldbreast splitfins are livebearers, and breeding them is easy. The fry are born large and well formed.

Related species