Black Bellied Limia
Limia melanogaster
Also known as: black-bellied limia, blackbelly limia
A rarely seen Caribbean livebearer with bold dark coloring and lively personality.
About
The black-bellied limia (Limia melanogaster) is a small livebearer native to the freshwater streams of Jamaica and Haiti, where it tends to live close to the surface. The species gets its name from the dark pigmentation on the underside, which, combined with the iridescent sheen many individuals display, makes it a visually interesting fish despite its compact 1-2 inch size. You won't encounter this one at your local fish store very often; it's genuinely uncommon in the hobby, which is a shame because it's a rewarding species to keep. It's peaceful and mixes well with other small fish that appreciate harder, more alkaline water. Being an omnivore, it accepts a wide variety of foods in the aquarium, from prepared flake to live or frozen offerings. Breeding is relatively straightforward in the livebearer style, but males can be relentless in pursuing females, so a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots is important to keep stress levels down. Floating plants are a nice addition for this reason. Broods typically range from 20 to 50 fry, which are born large enough to eat newly hatched brine shrimp right away. The fry do take some months to develop their full adult coloration. This is a genuinely worthwhile species for the keeper looking for something a little different.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Black Bellied Limia
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Black Bellied Limia get?
- The Black Bellied Limia reaches about 1–2" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Black Bellied Limia need?
- A minimum of 7 gallons is recommended for the Black Bellied Limia.
- What water parameters does the Black Bellied Limia need?
- The Black Bellied Limia does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 7.5–8.5, hardness around 20–30 dGH.
- Is the Black Bellied Limia aggressive?
- The Black Bellied Limia is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Black Bellied Limia eat?
- The Black Bellied Limia is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Black Bellied Limia live?
- With good care, the Black Bellied Limia typically lives 3-5 years.