Among the hardiest and most versatile of tropical fish livebearers are a popular choice for first time aquarists. Mostly peaceful and sociable, they fit in well in community tanks. They're always active and will provide you with plenty to watch.
The term 'livebearer' refers to any fish which incubates its eggs inside its body. Some do this simply by containing the eggs within a cavity, whilst others provide nutrients to the eggs from their own blood via an organ analogous to the mammalian placenta.
When they are born, the fry tend to be larger and better developed than those hatched from eggs laid outside the body. This gives them a better chance of survival, especially in a crowded community tank.
Most livebearers are omnivorous, but it's especially important to make sure they get enough vegetable matter in their diets. Commercial preparations made with spirulina algae are good, as are blanched bits of spinach leaf .
Livebearers can adapt to a variety of conditions but tend to do best in slightly alkaline water.
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