Tequila Splitfin

The tequila splitfin is a calm 5–6 cm goodeid that lives only in a small river system in Mexico. Its olive-brown body is darkly spotted; the bright orange-yellow band on the rear edge of the males' tail is the species' most distinctive mark. After habitat degradation it was considered extinct in the wild, but in the 2010s fish kept in aquariums and research institutions were released back into the Teuchitlán River, where they have multiplied again. For this reason it is important that lines kept in the hobby are not hybridized.

• 60 liters for a small group.
• 20–24°C is ideal; it lives in an unheated room. pH 7–8, moderate hardness.
• Dense plants, floating plants and roots; gentle flow.
• 25% water change weekly.

Omnivorous. Flakes and micro granules, spirulina food, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworms. It also grazes on algae.

Peaceful toward other species. Males display to each other by spreading their tails, and short chases occur. It is less prone to fin nipping than most goodeids.

Good companions: small, peaceful fish suited to cool water, variatus platies, white cloud mountain minnows, corydoras, shrimp.

Avoid: large and aggressive species, dominant goodeids such as the butterfly splitfin (Ameca) and the redtail splitfin, species that need water constantly above 27°C.