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Zoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfinMagyarul / Hungarian
Zoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfinZoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfinZoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfinZoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfinZoogoneticus tequila - Tequila splitfin
  • Scientific name: Zoogoneticus tequila
  • Synonyms: -
  • Common name: Tequila splitfin
  • Group: Livebearers
  • Habitat: Central America; Mexico
  • Size: male: 6 cm, female: 8 cm
  • Biotope: Inhabits in Rio Teuchitlán of the Rio Ameca drainage in shallow, open, lake-like habitat with mostly mud substrate and some rocks.
  • Social behavior: Quite aggressive with each other, should be kept in a species-only aquarium. The dominant male can be aggressive with the females, and the females are also act aggressively with smaller fish. The pregnant females will respond to any male approach aggressively.
  • Diet: Omnivorous; In nature the eat small invertebrates and insect larvae, but will also accept frozen and flake foods in aquarium. A vegetable portion should be included in the diet.
  • Breeding: Quite easy
  • Tank: Minimum 50 litres
  • Population: 1 male and 2-3 females for 60 litres
  • Decoration: A densely planted aquarium with rocks and roots to provide enough hiding places.
  • Temperature: 20-24 °C
  • pH: 6,5-7,5
  • Hardness: 10-25 NK°
  • Lifespan: 3-5 years

Description: Zoogoneticus tequila named after the Tequila Volcano to the north of its natural habitat. Previously believed to be extinct in the wild, until its rediscovery in a single, tiny pool at Teuchitlán, Mexico, in the early 2000’s. Tequila splitfin is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, because only one tiny population exists in the wild. This loss putatively caused by the habitat degradation (the building of a dam), intensive collection for the aquarium trade, and the introduction of exotic fish species. There are only less than 50 mature fish in the wild, and the remaining wild population of the Tequila Splitfin consists of fewer than 500 individuals.

Adult males are dark olivaceous on the sides, back, and top of the head with a mottled pattern on the flanks, often with a greenish tinge. Their body color fades to pale yellow under the lateral line. Usually there is a pair of spots, which often join, at the base of the caudal fin. These patterns may not be visible during breeding, as the fish’s body becomes darker, nearly black. The dorsal and anal fins have narrow, cream-coloured bands along the edges, and on the caudal fin there is a crescent-shaped, orange-red band. Females have similar colors, but there are two to four large spots on the ventral half of the caudal peduncle, which sometimes fade in older individuals. They are also lack of cream-coloured edges on the dorsal and anal fins, and may show a thin subterminal band on the caudal fin, but it is less intense than in males. Juveniles are much lighter than adults, but have more distinct mottling pattern.

Tequila splitfin become sexually mature within 4-5 months when kept by 26-28°C, which could take more time in their natural habitat with lower temperatures. The male Tequila splitfins have no gonopodium like other livebearers, but they use the first few anal fin spines to transfer sperm to the female. The females do not store sperm so they have to be fertilized every time. After a gestation period of 6 to 8 weeks the female gives birth to only a few fry, usually less than 10 offspring in the first year, that can be 20-29 fry at a larger femle. The young are pursued by the older fish, so they should be removed from the tank, as the parents will eat them.