Argentine Pearlfish

Austrolebias bellottii is a classic annual (seasonal) killifish from the temperate region of South America. The male's blue-gray body and broad fins are covered with pale blue pearl spots; females are brown with irregular blotches. In the wild, the pools fill in winter and spring and dry out in summer; the fish grow and breed in this short period. The pair spawns by diving into a thick layer of peat. The peat is collected every two weeks, squeezed to a damp consistency and stored in a labeled bag at 18–22°C for 3–5 months; eggs with visible eyes hatch when placed in cool, shallow water.

• A 40-liter species tank for one male and two females.
• At least 4–5 cm of boiled peat on the bottom, or a container filled with peat.
• 16–22°C; no heater is needed, but it should be protected from summer heat.
• An air-driven sponge filter, a tight lid; 25–30% water change weekly.

Carnivorous and gluttonous. It should be fed bloodworms, daphnia, mosquito larvae and brine shrimp; it mostly refuses dry food.

Males are rough with each other and persistent towards females. Because of its need for cool water and its short life, it should be kept in a species tank.

Good companions: females of its own species.

Avoid: tropical community fish (temperature incompatibility), other Austrolebias species (hybridization), large fish.