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Butterfly Goodeid
Ameca splendens
📍 Central America
The Butterfly Goodeid is a stunning livebearing fish native to Mexico, known for its vibrant coloration and peaceful temperament. Males display brilliant orange and yellow patterns with distinctive wing-like dorsal fins, while females are more subdued in coloration. This species is ideal for planted community tanks and is relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for intermediate aquarists.
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Care Guide
Diet
Butterfly Goodeid are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet including high-quality flake foods, small live foods such as daphnia and mosquito larvae, and vegetable matter. Feed small portions 2-3 times daily, adjusting quantity based on tank bioload. They will also graze on algae and plant material in the aquarium.
Behavior
These peaceful fish are active swimmers that prefer to school in groups of 6 or more, displaying more natural behavior and vibrant coloration when kept in larger groups. They are relatively hardy and will occupy the middle water column, occasionally visiting the substrate. Males may display territorial behavior toward each other but rarely cause serious harm.
Breeding
Butterfly Goodeid are livebearers that breed readily in well-established tanks with adequate vegetation and stable water conditions. Females produce 10-30 fry every 4-6 weeks, and fry are relatively large and easy to raise. Provide dense plants like Java moss or floating vegetation to protect fry from predation by adults.
Tank Mates
Similar size and peaceful temperament make them ideal community companions
Small, peaceful schooling fish that complement Butterfly Goodeid well
Bottom-dwelling catfish that occupy different water zones and help maintain substrate
Peaceful mid-water dweller with similar care requirements
Small algae eaters that are peaceful and occupy bottom zone without competition
Helpful algae control and peaceful; fry may be at risk but adults are safe
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against objects, loss of appetite
Increase water temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform daily water changes, use aquarium salt at recommended doses, or treat with copper-free ich medication
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality through frequent water changes, reduce stress, treat with antibacterial medication if severe, ensure adequate filtration
Bacterial Infection
Sores on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, erratic swimming behavior
Perform large water changes, maintain pristine water conditions, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, isolate affected fish if possible
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, visible parasites on body, weight loss, clamped fins
Treat with anti-parasitic medication, increase water changes, maintain optimal water parameters, quarantine new fish before introduction
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - feeds on small insects, plant matter, and quality flake foods
- lifespan
- 3-5 years
- max size
- 6 cm (2.4 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 7.0-8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 8-18 dGH
- temperature
- 68–75°F (20–24°C)