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Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora
Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora, commonly known as the lace brachy, is a poeciliid fish from Costa Rica.[3] Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora is similar to B. roseni, with a shorter gonopodium than B. olomina. Rosen and Bailey (1963) considered B. olomina to be a synonym of B. rhabdophora. By 1998 Bussing had demonstrated that these two Brachyrhaphis populations should be treated as different species.[3] Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora grows to 6 cm (2.4 in). It has a straight or a slightly arched profile and up to 12 vertical stripes on the sides, which are more conspicuous in males and may be absent in large females. A half of the dorsal fin is yellow or orange, and the fin has a dark margin. The margin of the caudal fin is also yellow or orange; males additionally have a dark band before the margin. The anal fin is yellow with a dark blotch.[3] Females are larger than males and have a stronger build.[4]  Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora prefers waters with low to moderate current and is only rarely found in fast flowing waters. The species primarily inhabits the surface and midwaters of creeks and brooks.[3] Its habitats are between 3 and 1,450 m (10 and 4,760 ft) above sea level.[5] These include highland streams and lagoons.[5] Temperature ranges from 22 to 32 °C (72 to 90 °F).[3] Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora is endemic to Costa Rica. It is found on the Pacific slope between the Parrita River drainage and the Térraba River.[3] The species has been recorded in Pirrís, Tusubres and Térraba River.[5][6] Brachyrhaphis rhabdophora feeds on insects.[3] It is also a voracious predator of its own young,[7] which makes aquarium breeding difficult.[4] References
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