Porthole Livebearer

The porthole livebearer is recognized by a row of round black spots running along the middle of its body; its English name comes from these spots resembling a ship's portholes. Males are around 3 cm, females up to 5 cm. The body is yellowish-olive and semi-transparent, and the fins are colorless. It is not a showy species, but its hardiness and calm nature earn it a place in livebearer enthusiasts' collections. The number and clarity of the spots vary from individual to individual; the spots show more clearly over a dark substrate and in a calm setting.

• 54–60 liters for a small group.
• 23–27°C, pH 7–8, moderate hardness.
• Dense plants and floating plants; open swimming space in the middle.
• 25% water change weekly.

Omnivorous. Fine flakes and micro granules, spirulina food, frozen brine shrimp and daphnia. It also grazes on algae and biofilm.

Peaceful; males follow the females but do not wear them out. In a calm community aquarium it uses the middle zone. It shows its most natural behavior when kept as a small group with at least 2 females per male; since adults may eat the fry, dense planting reduces fry losses.

Good companions: platies, small rasboras and tetras, corydoras, otocinclus, shrimp.

Avoid: large and aggressive fish, fin-nipping barbs, large livebearers that grab food quickly.