Butterfly splitfin

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Butterfly splitfin
Male in "relaxed" coloration. Note
anal fin

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Goodeidae
Subfamily: Goodeinae
Genus: Ameca
R. R. Miller & Fitzsimons, 1971
Species:
A. splendens
Binomial name
Ameca splendens

The butterfly splitfin or butterfly goodeid (Ameca splendens) is a

monotypic genus Ameca[2]
of the splitfin family (
type locality is Rio Teuchitlán in the vicinity of Teuchitlán, Jalisco. The species was only ever found in an area about 10 miles (15 km) in diameter.[3]

Today, the

waterpark near the town of Ameca. Possibly, it also exists in a feral state in the United States; individuals apparently derived from escaped or introduced captive stock were met with in southeastern Nevada, but this was over forty years ago.[5] For some time, it was a popular fish among aquarists, but hobbyist stocks have declined recently, placing its survival in jeopardy.[6]

Description

Female (above) being courted by a young male

As its common name implies, it is indeed quite an attractive fish. A dominant mature male specimen a large

caudal fin is washed with black. A yellow band stretches along the caudal's back margin. The body of both sexes is ochre, with silvery sides and a brownish back, which in males usually have numerous glittering metallic scales. Females and immatures having black dots on the sides and ochre fins. The fins of males intensify in color when they are excited, and depending on their mood, they can show more or less strongly a black band along the side. For the first two weeks or so after birth, the young are entirely silvery.[7]

Males can also be told apart from females because their

total length at best, with females being able to grow up to 4 in (10 cm) under good conditions.[7]

Taxonomy

The butterfly splitfin is placed in the monotypic genus Ameca. Phylogenic research by Shane Webb showed that its closest relative is

Xenotaca.[8]

Ecology

In its former natural habitat, the

common molly (Poecilia sphenops), Oreochromis tilapias, and the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) which presumably have all been introduced.[9]

Among groups of A. splendens, a loose

calming signal.[6]

Like other Goodeidae, butterfly splitfins mate by internal fertilization and spawn fully developed young. The females become sexually mature at about six months of age and can give birth every six to 10 weeks according to the water temperature and the condition of the fish. Mating is preceded by a courtship, where the males present themselves to the females with their heads pointing downwards – up to 45° from horizontal – and shake the forward part of their bodies. In that respect, they resemble the jeweled splitfin (Xenotoca variata); they do not have a ritualized "courtship dance" as some other splitfins, but the male sometimes rotates to present either flank to the female. The females respond by shaking their heads.[6]

The fry when born can be up to 0.8 in (20 mm) in length, as the females feed the unborn young via trophotaenia which have a similar function as the umbilical cord in humans.[10]

As a pet

Butterfly splitfin being held in captivity at Birdworld

The butterfly splitfin has a reputation of being a fin nipper, but being a large and robust fish, it will certainly bully small and delicate species like guppies or small tetras. When housed with less tender species that require similar conditions, it is a great fish for any tank type; even the hardier species of Apistogramma and similar dwarf cichlids make good companions, with water parameters compromising between the splitfins' and the cichlids' requirements at a point similar to most tap water.[10]

A. splendens thrives best in clean, well-aerated water, at temperatures around 70-75 °F (20-25 °C) and neutral or slightly higher

water hardness between 5 and 10 dGH composed mainly from calcium hardness. They do not tolerate overly low pH and too soft water, and are unsuitable for dedicated rainforest aquaria with low pH and almost-zero hardness (e.g. for most tetras or danionins). Butterfly splitfins are strong swimmers and social fish; they dwell in groups of three to five males and three to seven females in large tanks where they can grow to full size. In small tanks, they stay small, and fewer individuals or no other fish should be kept. Their overall effect on plant growth is beneficial as they keep down algae and clean off detritus. A. splendens breeds quite readily in the aquarium; some floating plants such as Ceratopteris or Ceratophyllum provide protection for young fry
.

Aggressiveness varies with population density; at high population densities, tank decoration is highly significant in influencing behavior. At least among captive populations, butterfly splitfins become more aggressive if much decoration is placed in the tank.[6]

Butterfly splitfins are voracious, and eat most forms of commercial

nauplia, though as in adults, plant food increase growth and vitality.[10]

Lighting should be strong, to encourage growth of algae; direct sunlight is ideal. In summer, they can be kept in outside tanks, basins, or small ponds in temperate and warmer areas; they can tolerate overnight air temperatures of 60 °F (15 °C) well enough, but should be protected from birds, cats, and other

predators
.

Many zoos and public aquariums maintain colonies of the species.

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T1117A500918.en
    . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Etymology:
    "The
    gender
    is feminine."
    "The specific epithet, of Latin derivation, means bright (shining) or glowing, in reference to the striking life colors of the new species."
    (Miller & Fitzsimons, 1971)
  3. ^ Miller & Fitzsimons (1971), Kelley et al. (2006)
  4. ^ Contreras-Balderas & Almada-Villela (1996)
  5. ^ Fuller (2006)
  6. ^ a b c d Kelley et al. (2006)
  7. ^ a b Miller & Fitzsimons (1971), Tavares [2005]
  8. doi:10.1016/S1055-7903(03)00257-4
    . Retrieved 2023-06-01.
  9. ^ Tavares [2005], Kelley et al. (2006)
  10. ^ a b c d Tavares [2005]
Sources

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Butterfly_splitfin&oldid=1184024329"