Butterfly goodeid
Ameca splendens
A Mexican livebearer critically endangered in the wild: today it survives almost exclusively through hobbyist conservation programs. Adult males display metallic scales with a distinctive black and yellow crescent on the tail. A tireless swimmer and voracious algae eater, it is one of the few species that actively consumes cyanobacteria. Its reproduction is unique in the fish world: fry develop attached to the mother via an umbilical-like structure called the trophotaenia, which falls off shortly after birth.
Température de l’eau
22 - 30 °C
Valeur du pH
7 - 8.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Tous les niveaux
Taille adulte
8 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 150 L
Groupe minimal
>= 8
GH
10 - 25 dGH
KH
5 - 12 dKH
TDS
200 - 495 ppm
Conductivité
313 - 773 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Mexico, once abundant in the Ameca river basin. It now survives in the wild only in small isolated springs (hot and strongly alkaline biotopes) being on the brink of extinction in its original habitat (Critically Endangered).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Family of the Goodeids (Goodeidae). Stocky fish, very high on the back, equipped with massive fins and a slightly superior mouth. Reaches 8 cm (3 inches) for females and about 6-7 cm for males.
Social Behavior: Marked gregariousness with a hierarchical and pugnacious temperament. They are not fish for quiet communities: they are restless, intrusive and manifest the odious habit of biting fins ("fin-nipping") to any slow tankmate.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Chromatically splendid males: flanks of a metallic shine with emerald green reflections, interrupted by black spots, with a flashy and wide bright golden-yellow band bordered with black that adorns the caudal fin. Females uniformly olive-gray with black spotting all over the body.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Tank starting from 100 liters (25 gallons), dedicated to a single school (species-tank). Calcareous rocks to guarantee hardness and filamentous algae or mosses. Given the aptitude to graze continuously, they will destroy soft-leaved plants; prefer Java ferns and Anubias.
Diet and Feeding: In nature they are formidable algae grazers. In the aquarium they will clean every surface of filamentous and brush algae. The diet must be 70% vegetable (spirulina flakes, boiled spinach). Too much protein rapidly leads to fatty degeneration of the liver.
Water Quality: Unrivaled robustness but requires rock-hard waters. pH 7.5 - 8.5, GH from 10 up to over 25, with tolerance for warm temperatures (22-30°C / 72-86°F). The collapse of the pH or soft and acidic waters are lethal in a short time.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Categorically discard slow or long-finned fish (Guppies, Bettas, Angelfish), which would be skinned alive. If absolutely necessary, pair only with armored Central American rock cichlids or very fast large cyprinids. Better monospecific tank.
Aquarium Breeding: True viviparous (not ovoviviparous). The embryos are nourished directly by the mother through structures similar to an umbilical cord (trophotaeniae). Gestation lasts about 6-8 weeks and the pups (10-30) are born giant (almost 2 cm) and perfectly independent.
Risks and Diseases: Keeping and reproducing this species in the aquarium is a project of pure conservation, given the desperate situation in nature. They are subject to external parasitosis (Ich) if kept in too soft waters. Require vigorous oxygenation.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to Mexico, once abundant in the Ameca river basin. It now survives in the wild only in small isolated springs (hot and strongly alkaline biotopes) being on the brink of extinction in its original habitat (Critically Endangered).
Origine
Amérique du Sud hors AmazonieAmérique centrale et Caraïbes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Aggressive
- Ameca splendens is a boisterous, highly active, and sometimes aggressive fish that is not suited for peaceful community aquariums. Males can be territorial and will frequently spar with each other, displaying vibrant colors to assert dominance. They are notorious fin-nippers, particularly toward slow-moving or long-finned tank mates. Their competitive nature at feeding time can also stress out more docile species, making them best suited for a dedicated species tank.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- This species is primarily an herbivorous omnivore, requiring a diet that is heavily based on vegetable matter. In the wild, they graze constantly on algae and diatoms, so the aquarium diet should feature high-quality spirulina flakes, blanched spinach, and nori. They also benefit from occasional feedings of live or frozen foods like brine shrimp and daphnia to provide essential proteins. A lack of dietary fiber can lead to digestive issues, so vegetation must remain the staple of their feeding regimen.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 8 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Harem
- To successfully manage Ameca splendens, it is highly recommended to keep them in a harem or a large group rather than pairs. A ratio of one male to two or three females helps distribute the persistent courtship attention and aggressive behavior of the males. Keeping them in a group of eight or more individuals is ideal to establish a natural social hierarchy. This group dynamic significantly reduces individual stress and prevents any single female from being chased excessively.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Ameca splendens should be fed small portions two to three times a day due to their active lifestyle and continuous grazing habits. Because they have a high metabolism and are greedy eaters, offering smaller meals prevents them from overeating and reduces waste buildup. Providing vegetables or grazing blocks that they can pick at throughout the day mimics their natural foraging behavior. Care should be taken not to overfeed, as they will consume food until they are bloated.
- Charge biologique
- Medium to High
- Ameca splendens is a highly active and relatively large livebearer, with females reaching up to 12 cm, which results in a significant biological load. They are greedy, continuous feeders that produce a substantial amount of waste, requiring robust and efficient filtration. Weekly water changes of at least 30-50% are necessary to keep nitrate levels low, as they are particularly sensitive to poor water quality. A well-oxygenated environment with a strong biological filter is highly recommended to maintain their health.
- Courant
- Strong
- Ameca splendens thrives in aquariums with moderate to strong water flow, reflecting their native riverine habitats. Good water movement helps keep the aquarium well-oxygenated, which is crucial for their respiratory health and overall vigor. A combination of a powerful filter outlet and an additional powerhead or air stone can create the ideal current. The current also encourages their natural swimming behavior and helps keep the water clean.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Due to their powerful build and energetic nature, Ameca splendens presents a moderate risk of jumping, especially during feeding or social chases. They are fast, agile swimmers that can easily leap out of an open-topped aquarium when startled or during intense male sparring. A secure, tight-fitting lid is absolutely essential to prevent accidental escapes. Adding floating plants can also help make them feel secure and reduce the likelihood of jumping.
- Reproduction
- Viviparous
- As members of the family Goodeidae, Ameca splendens are viviparous livebearers that exhibit matrotrophic reproduction, where the mother nourishes the developing fry via trophotaeniae. The gestation period lasts about 55 to 60 days, after which the female gives birth to a small batch of large, fully formed fry, usually between 5 and 20. Females are highly sensitive to stress during pregnancy, and moving them to a separate breeding tank can lead to premature birth or death; thus, they should be left to give birth in the main tank. The parents rarely eat their young, making it relatively easy to raise the fry if adequate hiding spots are provided.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- Ameca splendens is generally incompatible with small, peaceful, or slow-moving fish due to their active and nippy temperament. They should not be housed with species that have long, flowing fins, such as guppies or angelfish, which will inevitably be targeted. If kept in a community tank, they should only share space with robust, fast-swimming species like larger barbs, loaches, or medium-sized Central American cichlids. However, keeping them in a dedicated species-only aquarium is the safest and most recommended setup to observe their natural behaviors without conflict.
- Niveau dans le bac
- All levels
- While classified as demersal or bottom-dwelling in some natural habitats, Ameca splendens is an exceptionally active swimmer that utilizes all levels of the aquarium. They are constantly in motion, searching for food along the substrate, grazing on algae on decorations in the middle, and feeding at the surface. Providing ample open swimming space alongside dense vegetation is crucial to accommodate their energetic behavior. They will actively explore every corner of the tank throughout the day.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 2 ± 0,1 se
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 1
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01202, b = 3.01
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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