All fish / Poeciliidae

Metallic Livebearer

Girardinus metallicus

Also known as girardinus, metallic topminnow, black-chin livebearer, black chin livebearer, girardinus metallicus, ギラルディヌス・メタリクス, 金属食蚊鱼

A small Cuban livebearer with a silvery, metallic sheen and faint dark vertical bars along the flanks; males are much smaller and some show a black chin and throat with a long gonopodium. It is kept for its hardiness, peaceful nature and the interest of watching a natural, unselected wild-type livebearer in a planted community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

54 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more, with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: flakes, small pellets, algae and vegetable matter, live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Cuba

Breeding

Females give birth to live young after internal fertilisation, usually 10 to 50 fry every four weeks or so. Breeding is very easy, but adults eat fry, so dense plants or a separate rearing tank are needed to raise many.

Good to know

Females reach roughly twice the size of males and males can harass them, so keep several females per male. Prefers hard, alkaline water and does poorly in very soft, acidic conditions.