Livebearers family

The most notable characteristic of this group is the presence of a copula-tory organ in males the andropodium or gonopodium, this organ is formed by the anterior rays of the anal fin। At 4-8 cm length the vast majority of species are an ideal size for aquaria. Guppies, platies and swordtails are the foundation of the aquarium hobby. Some species such as the Gambusia affinis can be useful to human by eating mosquito. Sperm storage occurs on the part of the females of some species. When born, the fry are fully developed; they quickly swim to the water surface, fill their swim bladder with air and then begin searching for food.


Swordtail:
The swordtail known also as Xiphophorus helleri is one of the impressive fish among the livebearers. Its tail look like a sword, his native color was metal green but today we can see swordtails in many varieties such as green, orange, yellow and the most common is the red swordtail. These fish are omnivores, in home tank will accept any given food, flakes, pellet, frozen or live food; they also need green food such as lettuce. 10 gallon tank and up, even though they can handle themselves with other fish don't keep them with tropical fish big enough to eat them, weekly water changes are needed, will appreciate plants as a hiding places in their tank. It is very easy to sex between male and female, the male has a signature long anal fin, the Swordtail is a livebearers, and after mating the fertilized eggs remain in the female abdomen, after wile the female releasing them to open water. Swordtails eat their own fry so it is highly recommended to take care of the fry.


Molly:
The Molly is a tropical fish that prefers a little salt in their water but it will be able to thrive even without any salt in its tank. The Molly comes in many different colors such as orange, black, green, gray and even white. Molly is ideal for beginners; it is hardy fish that can tolerate beginners mistakes. Requires 15 gallon minimum tank size. Best kept alone or with other Livebearers in large well planted aquariums and with open swimming areas. Although it is hardy fish water changes and well filtered water are essential. This term (livebearers) means that their fry come out swimming and "ready" to the big World. The gestation period for this fish is usually 28 days but sometimes can take some more time. Like all livebearers when the female is in pregnant it will develop a dark triangular shaped gravid spot near her anal vent. As the pregnancy progresses this dark triangular shaped gravid spot will get larger and darker. At the time the fry comes out recommended to move them or the parent to another tank or else the parent will eat their own fry.


Guppy:
The guppy is an elongated tropical fish that available in many different colors. The guppy is one of the most popular aquarium fishes all over the world with many standardized varieties. This species offers a large selection of colors with no two fish look alike. It is a small member of the Poeciliidae family (and like all other members of the family, he is livebearer). The most notable characteristic of this group is the presence of a copula-tory organ in males the andropodium or gonopodium, this organ is formed by the anterior rays of the anal fin. It is very easy to distinguish between male and females, Females are dull grey while the males are very colorful and have large fins. Give them a fairly large tank with live plants and open swimming areas. Frequent water changes are the key to happy guppies. Guppy fish can be kept in a 2 gallon fish tank, but it will prefer to be kept in a community tank or in species fish tank. It is not recommended to keep him with big fish. Because there is a chance he will be eaten. There is nothing special to setup if you want to breed guppy, the only thing you need to consider is to bring one male and three females, the reason you need to bring more than one female for the male not harass the females to the point of exhaustion. Like all livebearers when the female is in pregnant it will develop a dark triangular shaped gravid spot near her anal vent. As the pregnancy progresses this dark triangular shaped gravid spot will get larger and darker. At the time the fry comes out recommended to move them or the parent to another tank or else the parent will eat their own fry.