• Scientific name: Phalloceros caudimaculatus
• Synonyms: Girardinus caudimaculatus
• Common name: Dusky millions fish, Leopardfish, One-spot Livebearer, Speckled Mosquitofish
• Group: Livebearers
• Habitat: South America; Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
• Size: male: 2,5-3 cm, female: 5-6 cm
• Biotope: Inhabits in tropical streams and still ponds with dense vegetation.
• Social behavior: Peaceful, lively fish, recommended for a community tank. Do not keep them with long-finned fish, as they may nip their fins.
• Diet: Omnivorous; they mainly eat plant material, but they also eat live, frozen and flake foods.
• Breeding: Easy
• Tank: Minimum 30 litres
• Population: 5-6 fish for 60 litre
• Decoration: Needs a tank with dense vegetation and open areas for swimming. Use fine gravel as substrate. Water movement should be minimal.
• Temperature: 20-24 °C
• pH: 7-8
• Hardness: 10-20 NK°
• Lifespan: 3-5 years

Description: This active, little livebearer is similar in size and shape to the related Gambusia holbrooki, but differs in color and patterning. Dusky millions fish has many color forms. Mainly the body is yellowish in color, and there is a black spot under the dorsal fin. Another color variant is the Phalloceros caudimaculatus reticulatus. It’s body color is silver with a yellowish shine, and the males are speckled with irregular, black spots and blotches. Females are less spotted than the males and their body are much larger.

Dusky millions fish are hardy and tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions. In many places around the world, Leopardfish have been introduced into freshwater streams, in the mistaken belief that they are a suitable fish for the control of mosquitoes.

Phalloceros caudimaculatus are typical livebearers, they are easy to breed and very prolific. After a gestation period of 3-4 weeks, the female gives birth to 10-50 young fish. In most cases the fry leave the mother’s body rolled together and sink to the bottom where they remain for an hour before becoming untangled and free swimming. When the parents are well fed the young fish can survive in the same aquarium.