Fish
Humpbacked Limia
Limia nigrofasciata
Origin: The humpbacked limia is endemic to the island of Haiti (Lake Miragoâne and nearby waters) in the Caribbean basin. It inhabits still and slow-flowing waters with hard, alkaline water and vegetation.
Also known as: Blackbarred limia, Limia nigrofasciata
Fact sheet
- Size
- 6 cm
- Lifespan
- 3 years
- Minimum tank size
- 60 L
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C
- pH
- 7–8.5
- Hardness GH
- 10–25 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 5+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Middle, Top
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
The humpbacked limia is a hardy livebearer of the family Poeciliidae, a close relative of mollies and guppies. It has a warm yellowish-olive colour with fine dark vertical bars. With age the males develop a characteristic high 'hump' on the back and a tall dorsal fin, which gives the species its name. It is a peaceful, undemanding fish for a hard-water community tank, well suited to beginners. It breeds readily in a community tank.
Appearance
The body is shallow in females and develops an age-related 'hump' in males, 4–6 cm long (males smaller and showier). Colour is yellowish-olive with a row of fine dark vertical bars and a pearly sheen. Males have a tall sail-like dorsal fin. Females are larger and fuller.
Care
A tank of at least 60 L with plants and open space. Temperature 22–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.5, hardness GH 10–25 — hard, alkaline water, with a little salt beneficial. Good filtration and regular water changes are needed. The species is hardy and undemanding.
Feeding
An omnivore leaning vegetarian. It takes flakes and pellets with spirulina, blanched vegetables, and live or frozen daphnia and brine shrimp. Vegetable matter matters for health. Feed once or twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful fish. It mixes well with other livebearers (mollies, platies, other limias), rainbowfish, and calm hard-water species. Aggressive tankmates are unsuitable. Keep a group with more females.
Breeding
A livebearer. The female gestates fry for 4–6 weeks and delivers 10–40 fully formed young. In a planted tank some fry survive without intervention. Fry take small food at once. Interestingly, the offspring's sex ratio depends on temperature.
Fun facts
Males develop a high dorsal 'hump' and a sail-like fin with age — hence the name humpbacked limia. The sex ratio of the offspring depends on the water temperature during development. The species is a close relative of the mollies.