34
MAINTAINING FISHES
dried foods. It is favored by temperatures from TO*' to
80° F. It spawns at a weight of two pounds or less but
will attain a maximum of 20 pounds or more imder
natural conditions.
Small South American catfishes of the genus Corydorus are popular aquarium fishes. They are obtainable from dealers in tropical fishes. They can be bred
in captivity but do not reproduce as readily as many
other species of "tropicals."
Cyprinodontids
All of the cyprinodontids mentioned here are
exotics, live-bearers, widely available, breed readily
in captivity, and have been used for experimental
work. They require temperatures from 75° to 80° F.
and can utilize dried foods but benefit from at least
some Hve food such as microcrustaceans.
Few fishes are more adapted to aquarium conditions than the guppy (Laebistes reticulatus) » It reproduces rapidly, and since it is not too inclined to eat
its young, no special precautions are needed to insure
their survival. It has a short life cycle. Numerous colors and finnage mutations of the guppy have been
preserved by hobbyists.
The platy (Platypoecilus maculatus) and swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) are quite similar to the
guppy in size, color variations and environmental requirements but do not reproduce as successfully or
survive as weU as guppies.
Percoids
The green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) occurs
throughout most of the eastern United States. It is
MAINTAINING FISHES
dried foods. It is favored by temperatures from TO*' to
80° F. It spawns at a weight of two pounds or less but
will attain a maximum of 20 pounds or more imder
natural conditions.
Small South American catfishes of the genus Corydorus are popular aquarium fishes. They are obtainable from dealers in tropical fishes. They can be bred
in captivity but do not reproduce as readily as many
other species of "tropicals."
Cyprinodontids
All of the cyprinodontids mentioned here are
exotics, live-bearers, widely available, breed readily
in captivity, and have been used for experimental
work. They require temperatures from 75° to 80° F.
and can utilize dried foods but benefit from at least
some Hve food such as microcrustaceans.
Few fishes are more adapted to aquarium conditions than the guppy (Laebistes reticulatus) » It reproduces rapidly, and since it is not too inclined to eat
its young, no special precautions are needed to insure
their survival. It has a short life cycle. Numerous colors and finnage mutations of the guppy have been
preserved by hobbyists.
The platy (Platypoecilus maculatus) and swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) are quite similar to the
guppy in size, color variations and environmental requirements but do not reproduce as successfully or
survive as weU as guppies.
Percoids
The green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) occurs
throughout most of the eastern United States. It is