Limia melanogaster, the black-bellied or blue limia, is a poeciliid fish from Jamaica. It inhabits fast-flowing streams. It is a rare livebearer in modern fishkeeping.
Evolution and taxonomy
DNA research shows that L. melanogaster is basal to others in the genus Limia: it was the first to split from other limias, which inhabit other islands in the West Indies, around 22.8 million years ago at the Oligocene–Miocene boundary.[2]
L. melanogaster is the second slimmest species in its genus after L. zonata.[4] The species is exceptionally variable.[5] The base color of the fish is greenish-gray.[6] Adults, and especially males when courting females, exhibit a metallic steel blue gloss.[4]
The male's caudal peduncle and dorsal fin are black, while the caudal fin is yellow with a black rim.[7] Male fish usually also have patches of black and sulfur-yellow scales on their heads, fins, and flanks.[6] Sexually mature females instead have a large bluish-black pigmented area around the gonopore called the gravid spot,[7] unique in the genus.[4] Such chromatic distinction from both males and juvenile females is unusual among female poeciliids.[7] Female fish grow to 5 cm (2.0 in) standard length,[8] while the males attain 4 cm (1.6 in).[9]
Distribution and habitat
Limia melanogaster is endemic to Jamaica,[10] specifically the southern and western parts of the island. It has been collected in the headwaters of the Black River drainage and Blue Hole River.[4]
The species prefers fast-flowing and shallow water, usually around 50 cm (20 in) deep. It is also found in flooded areas.[4][5] One examined habitat was a small, 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) deep stream with a muddy substrate, while the Blue Hole River habitat contains a rocky substrate. The habitats tend to contain little to no vegetation but are rich in aufwuchs. The species shares its habitat with a fellow poeciliid Gambusia wrayi and certain cichlids and gobies.[4]
Diet
L. melanogaster is omnivorous.[4] Its diet consists of worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.[11]Algae make up a significant portion of its diet, especially in brackish water.[4]
Reproduction
In captivity, females reach maturity aged between 4 and 5 months.[4] The males spend over 26 minutes per hour courting females.[7] Like many other poeciliids, L. melanogaster is ovoviparous. The gestation lasts approximately 4 weeks. Depending on her size, a female then gives birth to 20 to 80 young. The newborn fry are 6–9 mm (0.24–0.35 in) long. Adults seldom prey on the fry.[4]
In aquarium
L. melanogaster is easily kept in home aquaria.[4]Neale Monks of the Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine listed L. melanogaster among seven livebearers which were more commonly kept in aquaria until the introduction of new, fancy varieties.[6] It is an agile swimmer and thus needs ample space despite its modest size.[4]
^D.S. Lee; S.P. Platania; G.H. Burgess (1983), "Occasional Papers of the North Carolina Biological Survey no. 1983-6", Atlas of North American freshwater fishes, 1983 supplement, North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, p. 67