Wld type livebearers

[Darkangel]

Are there any people here who keep wild type livebearers. I am into the wild xiphs and some of the other wild types. Anybody else?

[johnfish]

Hi Darkangel,

I have always wanted to try a liverbearer tank. Their colours are so vivid, almost as pretty as marine fishes.

What kind of tank do you keep yours in? I'd be interested in hearing about your set-up.

When I looked into it a while back I found livebearers come from hard alkali water in the arid regions of Mexico and Central America. I think the high mineral content in the water are what give then their vivid colours.

I was thinking of setting up a biome that would simulate a slow running stream or a pool in a stream running through limestone. Maybe limestone or aragonite substrate with limestone or aragonite rocks. This would make the water quite hard and keep the pH high.

Some kind of dense, fine leafed plants would be good to give cover for the babies. I don't know what kind of plants would be suitable. They would have to be able to tolerate the high pH and hard water. I would think they would get that nice vivid blue-green colour that plants have in alkali water areas.

It seems like it would make a very beautiful display; white rocks, blue-green plants and brilliant yellow, orange, red, etc. fish.

There are a lot of areas in Ontario rich in limestone. Up on the Eastern side of Lake Simcoe for example and also near Hamilton. It might be possible to find a similar local biome and collect plants, rock, gravel and micro-life that has developed in the same hard water alkali environment.

I am not sure I want another tank right now though. My reef tank and my Amazon Biome tank keep me plenty busy and my wallet empty :)


Cheers :)
John

[Darkangel]

Sorry johnfish,
We are not talking about the same fish. You are talking about the cultured varieties of livebearers I think. Wild types are mostly grey or brown. I am talhing like X multilineatus, xiphidium, montezumae and many other types. These are not fish you find in pet shops. You need to get them from club auctions or other afficinados of them. If you decide to keep them you do not need to worry about your water near as much as your post suggests. I keep mine in straight Oshawa tap water, which should not be all that different from yours. We both get our water from the same lake. As to what type of tank I keep mine in, that is a difficult question, it depends on which of the 50 tanks we are talking about. Mostly they are just bare bottomed, with a sponge filter and a few potted plants. If you do start and need any advice I would be happy to part with what I have learned.
So is there anyone here who keeps these wild gems? I have a few types and I would be interested in trading with you.
By the way johnfish if you read this soon there is an auction in Brampoton on Sun the 10th and in Oshawa on Tues the 12th. Directions and more can be had at http://www.caoac.on.ca/ . Look under events or club information. Check out the Brampton club.
Cheers.