Friday, July 2, 2010

Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail

Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail
(Xiphophorus helleri)

QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 64-82° F, KH 12-30, pH 7.0-8.3
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Black, Orange, Red
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Malaysia, Singapore
Family: Poeciliidae

The Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail is perhaps one of the more playful and whimsical color varieties of the Xiphophorus helleri Swordtail. Through selective breeding, the Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail was developed to have eye-catching Red/Orange coloration. However, more notable is the black marking at the base of the body that resembles the silhouette of Disney's Mickey Mouse.
The Swordtail is perhaps the quintessential community aquarium fish. The time-tested popularity of the Swordtail can be attributed to its ease of care, peaceful temperament, and wonderfully diverse fin and color varieties. The most common Swordtail varieties include: Red Wag, Red Velvet, Marigold, Black Nubian, Pineapple, and Neon Swordtail. The male Swordtail is especially prized for its namesake feature, the showy extension on the lower part of its tail resembling a sword.

The Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail requires an aquarium of at least 20 gallons that is well planted with plenty of room for swimming. Because of its peaceful nature, the Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail is well suited for the community aquarium. However, the male Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail can demonstrate territorial aggression towards other male Swordtails. Care should be taken when housing more than one male. Also, the Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail is an accomplished jumper, so be sure to provide a secure cover for the aquarium.

The Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail is a live-bearing fish related to freshwater aquarium favorites including guppies, mollies, and platys. As such, a female Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail can give birth to as many as 80 fry at one time. A spawning box is recommended, or if one is not available, provide dense floating cover to protect the Swordtail fry from potential predation by the adults. Unless it is your intention to breed Red Mickey Mouse Swordtails, the male Swordtail fry should be separated once the sex of the fry is determined. The Swordtail can begin breeding as young as three months of age and can quickly overpopulate an aquarium.

The Red Mickey Mouse Swordtail is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared flaked foods and algae, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

from www.liveaquaria.com

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Rainbow Platy

Rainbow Platy
(Xiphophorus maculatus)

QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Water Conditions: 64-77° F, KH 10-25, pH 7.0-8.2
Max. Size: 2"
Color Form: Black, Red, Yellow
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Malaysia
Family: Poeciliidae

The Rainbow Platy is a beautiful yellow, red, and black color variety of the popular Xiphophorus maculatus Platy. Through selective breeding, platies are now available in a wide range of new color and fin variations. The Rainbow Platy is a great example of an atypical color variation.
The Rainbow Platy adds brilliant color to the aquarium and are very easy to keep. These features make it a great fish for beginners and accomplished aquarists alike. The Rainbow Platy requires an aquarium of at least 10 gallons that is densely planted with hardy plants like Java Fern and Java Moss. The Rainbow Platy is a very peaceful fish and makes an excellent addition to the freshwater community aquarium. Any other peaceful fish can be housed with them.

The Rainbow Platy is a livebearer capable of reproducing at three to four months of age. The male is smaller and more brightly colored than the female, and can be distinguished by his gonopodium. The fry will most often reach maturity in a community aquarium.

The platy is an omnivore that will eat commercially prepared flaked foods and algae, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

from www.liveaquaria.com