Cuban Rivulus

Rivulus cylindraceus is the type species of the genus Rivulus and lives only in Cuba. Its slender, cylindrical body is decorated with a greenish sheen and rows of red spots on a brown-olive background; females have a black eye spot, common in rivulus species, on the upper part of the tail base. It lives in shaded streams, spring waters and swamp margins and likes to rest on leaves near the surface. It lays its eggs on plants or a wool spawning mop, and the eggs hatch in water in about two weeks.

• 40 liters or more for one male and two females.
• Floating plants and plants reaching the surface; dim light.
• 22–25°C, moderately hard water close to neutral; weak flow.
• The lid must close all gaps; it jumps and can climb wet glass.

Carnivorous. It is fed brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, small bloodworms and fruit flies; it also accepts floating granules.

Calm and somewhat shy; it stays near the surface among the plants. Males have brief chases among themselves. It may eat fry and very small fish.

Good companions: small to medium-sized calm fish: harlequin rasboras, small tetras, dwarf corydoras, otocinclus.

Avoid: large and aggressive fish, fast species that dominate the surface, other rivulus species.