Livebearer with small broods. Priapella keepers stress flying insects (e.g. fruit flies) as an aid to breeding, a strong-filtered, well-lit tank, and a shoal.
One male to 3-4 females.
Planted 100 L tank with hard, warm water and gentle flow.
Warm, hard water and a varied diet.
Only 5-20 young per brood after about 28 days gestation.
Feed baby brine shrimp and finely crushed flake.
One breeding tank for the blue-eyed livebearer, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 25–28 °C · pH 7–8 · hard water
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 5 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A 120 cm rack for breeding the blue-eyed livebearer in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 500 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Typical for livebearers
A dark 'gravid spot' grows behind the belly. Gestation is usually about 4 weeks.
Fry are born ready to swim. Thick plants or a breeding box keep them safe from adults.
Feed crushed flake, baby brine shrimp or microworms 3–5 times a day.
Males start to show color and a pointed anal fin. Separate them if you want to control lines.
Most livebearers are grown and can breed at about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
A dark 'gravid spot' grows behind the belly. Gestation is usually about 4 weeks.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.