Metallic Livebearer

Give Your Fish Friend a Happier Home!

Your fish deserves more than just a bowl! Explore our collection of aquariums designed to create a healthier, more vibrant habitat for your aquatic friends. Easy to maintain, visually stunning, and perfect for every home.

Click image to enlarge

Looking for easy to maintain tropical fish combinations?

Scientific Name

Girardinus metallicus

Min. Tank Size

20 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

72-81°F

pH

7.0-8.0/8-20°dGH

Size

2-3"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Livebearer

Compatibility

Can be kept in freshwater tanks with peaceful Tetras, Rainbowfish and Corydoras; can also be kept in brackish tanks with Gobies and other small brackish species.

Metallic Livebearer

Also called Metallic Girardinus, these fish are rare in the aquarium hobby. Though this species was introduced into the aquarium hobby in the early 20th century, it disappeared shortly after and is now mainly available through specialty breeders. Metallic Livebearers have metallic silver bodies ornamented with black markings on the head and dorsal fin. Most specimens also exhibit black coloration on the underside of the body beneath the head and extending along the anal fin. This species is native to Central America and it is primarily found in Costa Rica and Cuba. These fish tend to inhabit still and brackish bodies of water such as streams, ditches and ponds.

Tank Set-Up

Metallic Livebearers prefer to be kept in densely planted tanks with some surface cover. The water in the tank should be kept somewhat hard and alkaline. This species has a peaceful nature and can be kept in either freshwater or brackish tanks.

Feeding

These fish are omnivorous and are likely to accept a variety of live, frozen and freeze-dried foods. In order to ensure that they receive adequate nutrition, feed a varied diet of bloodworms, Daphnia, brine shrimp and a good quality Spirulina flake.

Breeding

Breeding Metallic Livebearers is fairly easy as long as the water in the breeding tank is not too soft or acidic. In order to increase the chances of successful breeding, keep a ratio of several females for each male and decorate the breeding tank with live plants. After a gestation period of around 24 days, approximately 15 to 30 fry will be born. The adults should be removed once fry are noticed to prevent them from gobbling up the young.