Once more we are able to offer this top-rarity among the livebearers. The charming fish – males reach a maximum length of about 2.5 cm, females 4.5 cm – are restricted to the upper reaches of the river San Juan in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. No commercial fishing for ornamental fish does exist there and so the species is imported only ocassionally by travelling enthusiasts. Sadly until now it proved impossible so far to build up a stable aquarium strain from these few animals and so the species always vanished from the hobby after only a few generations. Our fish are German bred ones. Keeping them is rather unproblematically. However the fish always need very clean water of low microbiological contamination. Water chemistry is not very important, extremes, however, should be avoided. Best is a pH of 7-7.5, a hardness of 3-10°GH and a temperature of 24-28°C. The fish take readily frozen and dried food, but they also have to be fed on some plant material.
For our customers: The fish have code 278263 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Phallichthys: ancient Greek, means “penisfish”. tico: after the indigenous people of Costa Rica which call themselves “Tico”.
Suggestion of a common name: Costa Rica Dwarf Livebearer
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
