Tag Archives: Gambusia

Gambusia hurtadoi

22. November 2019

Gambuses don’t have a good reputation in aquaristics. They are considered grey, quarrelsome and difficult fish. This is not completely wrong, especially when it comes to the worldwide plague Gambusia holbrooki. But few aquarists realize that there are 45 different species of Gambusia and it is very unfair to use the same comb for all of them.

Gambusia hurtadoi is a pretty and quite peaceful species. Unfortunately, it belongs to the endangered fish species, because it only exists in a single area of less than 4 km2 in Mexico. There it colonizes a pond called El Ojo de Haicenda Delores and its drains. The pond is used as a recreational area and swimming pool. In addition, too much groundwater is taken in the area, which can quickly lead to the disappearance of this animal forever.

There are still quite good aquarium stocks of this Gambusia, but of course such a fish is not for common aquariums, but belongs to the attentive care of connoisseurs and experts who appreciate the pretty creature.

For our customers: the little fishes have code 416211 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Flexipenis vittatus

5. July 2019

Once more we are able to offer a beautiful dwarf livebearer that proofed to be a bit problematical in respect of breeding – not keeping! – in a long time sight under traditional aquarium conditions. However, under the open skies of Southeast Asia they breed pretty well.

Flexipenis vittatus is also often placed in Gambusia. Males become 2.5 – 4.5 cm, females 4 – 6 cm long. In nature, this livebearer inhabits Mexico (Atlantic slope).

In contrast to Gambusia Flexipenis has a highly developed courtship display, meanwhile the males present their pretty yellow-black dorsal fins in a very attractive way. It is wise not to keep these fishes year-in year-out at too high water temperatures. In living rooms no extra aquarium heater is necessary. Temperatures may lie between 18 and 26°C.

For our customers: the fish have code 415073 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Gambusia: derived from the Cuban term “Gambusino” for something unimportant. Flexipenis: means “with pliant sexual organ”. vittatus: Latin, means “Striped”.

Suggestion of a common name: Small flag livebearer, Blackline mosquitofish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer