Ten-spotted Livebearer

The ten-spotted livebearer is a very small livebearer from the temperate regions of South America. Males are 2–2.5 cm, females 3.5–4 cm. Along the sides of its semi-transparent gray-olive body, true to the "ten spots" in its scientific name, there is a row of small dark blotches or short bars. In the wild it lives in shallow, vegetated waters that cool down considerably with the seasons, so it does well in unheated aquariums.

• 30 liters or more for a small colony.
• 18–24°C is ideal; it tolerates cool room temperatures in winter. pH around 7, moderate hardness.
• Dense plants, moss and floating plants; weak flow.
• A sponge filter and a 20–25% water change weekly.

Omnivorous, with a very small mouth. Powdered flakes, micro granules, newly hatched brine shrimp, cyclops and microworms are suitable.

A peaceful, not shy species that is always on the move. Because of its small size it loses out in the competition for food against large, fast fish; it is best kept alone or with very small, calm species.

Good companions: dwarf shrimp, snails, white cloud mountain minnows, small peaceful species suited to cool water.

Avoid: large fish that grab food quickly, any species it fits into the mouth of, tropical fish that need constantly warm water.