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Blackbelly Limia

Limia melanogaster

Freshwater Atlantic and Caribbean Usually captive bred

Hailing from Jamaica, this small, vivacious livebearer is named after the female's prominent black belly patch. Males display striking steel-blue iridescence and yellow-bordered dorsal fins. They require moderately hard, alkaline water and appreciate a diet rich in vegetable matter and spirulina.

Also called: Black-bellied limia, Blackbelly limia, Blue limia.

4 cm adult length, drawn to scale. slim body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 4 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 50 L, at least 50 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 5 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 2 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 22 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 7 to 8.2 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 10 to 25, KH 5 to 15 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Moderate Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Peaceful Not territorial.
Swims in All levels Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 3 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Suits a first tank A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Blackbelly Limia is an omnivore that swims in all levels of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it some cover.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.