Easy livebearer; young are nourished in the womb through trophotaeniae. Females do not store sperm, so they must mate for every brood. Gestation 7-8 weeks; the large fry eat adult foods at once and parents rarely eat them.
One male with 4-5 females.
Planted 100 L tank, hard alkaline water and plenty of cover.
Cool-ish water and a well-fed group.
5-50 large fry per brood after 7-8 weeks.
Newborns are large and take baby brine shrimp or crushed flake at once.
One breeding tank for the redtail splitfin, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 20–26 °C · pH 6–8 · hard water
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 7 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 redtail splitfin 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.
Males are far more colourful, with an orange-red caudal peduncle and tail and a blue rear body, develop a higher back with age, and have a notched anal fin (andropodium). Females are plain brownish-grey with a gravid spot.
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.