Perugia's limia

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep six or more in 75 liters or larger at 22 to 28 C, pH 7.2 to 8.5, in hard water. Feed a mixed diet of vegetable flake, algae foods, and frozen daphnia or brine shrimp. Males can be pushy with each other, so keep several females and enough space. Peaceful toward other robust hard water fish.

In the wild

A larger, sturdy limia with sparkling blue and gold flanks and yellow to orange in the male's fins. Older males develop a raised nape that gives them a chunky profile. Keep a group in a hard water tank with plants, rockwork, and open space. They graze algae and take a wide range of foods.

Good to know

Limia perugiae is a Hispaniolan livebearer that reaches about 6 to 7 cm, with females larger than males. Some wild populations live in hard, slightly brackish water near Lake Enriquillo, so it handles higher mineral levels well. Dominant males develop a humped back and their brightest color.

Did you know

Well fed dominant males build up a distinct humped nape and glowing color, while subordinate males stay slimmer and plainer.

Related species

• 

  Humpbacked limia

  Limia nigrofasciata

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Blackbelly limia

  Limia melanogaster

  2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Cuban limia

  Limia vittata

  3.9 in (10 cm)18 gal (70 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)

• 

  Sheepshead swordtail

  Xiphophorus birchmanni

  2.8 in (7 cm)24 gal (90 L)68–81°F (20–27°C)
• Cascajal toothcarp

  Brachyrhaphis cascajalensis

  3 in (7.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)

• 

  Knife livebearer

  Alfaro cultratus

  3 in (7.6 cm)32 gal (120 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)