Livebearer; the only goodeid whose newborns lack functional trophotaeniae. Gestation about 60 days; fry are usually not eaten, so a colony breeds easily. Young mature in 6-7 months.
A group of 6 or more.
Large planted tank with hard alkaline water, rocks and plants.
Stable cool water and a well-fed group.
5-15 young per brood after about 60 days.
Feed baby brine shrimp and crushed flake.
One breeding tank for the hidden goodeid, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 22–26 °C · hard water
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 10 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 hidden goodeid 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.
Hard to tell apart. Males have the notched anal fin (splitfin), a slightly bigger dorsal fin and a blue tail, the blue spreading over the body in breeding colour; females keep two dark horizontal lines and a clear tail.
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.