Livebearer that breeds very easily in hard, alkaline water; keep several females per male. Gestation about 6-8 weeks; broods of up to 50. Adults eat fry, so move gravid females to their own tank. Warmer water may produce more females.
One male with 3 females.
Planted 60 L tank with hard water, floating plants and a breeding trap if needed.
Warm 26-28 C water and good feeding.
20-30 young (FishBase) to up to 50 (Seriously Fish) per brood, after about 6-8 weeks gestation.
Feed crushed flake and baby brine shrimp; fry grow well in hard, warm water.
One breeding tank for the hump-backed limia, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 22–26 °C · pH 7–8 · hard water
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 6.3 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 hump-backed limia in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 300 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.
Males have a gonopodium, are slightly smaller and more colourful, and develop a hump along the back (fatty tissue); females are larger with a straight back.
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.