Characodon lateralis, Los berros - Back to C. lateralis Page


    Common Name- The Rainbow Goodeid
    Water Conditions- Not critical, effective filtration and regular water changes. Temp 70-75 degrees. Provide plants for security.
    Behavior- A generally peaceful goodeid, very behaved with one another.
    Breeding- 5-10 young every 2 months
    Size- A smaller goodeid, about 2- 2.5 inches.

    This is a hardy, beautiful fish whose wild form is expected to become extinct within just a few years. They can be kept
    in a single species community tank of 10 gallons with some fine leaved plants, and the young are generally not eaten.
    In that situation, effective filtration with some water movement and aeration needs to be provided. To keep them at
    their best, they are kept in 29 gallon tanks here, with moderate planting. Gravid females are removed to have their
    young, which are then raised separately.

    They appreciate having plants to hide in, and do best with opportunities to rest in small groups out of sight, though
     the dominant pairs will often patrol the front of the tank.

    The gravid females become very large and are easily identified. Gestation is around 60 days (depending on temperature),
    and the young are smaller than some of the other goodeids. Batches are generally only 5-10 young. The younger females are
    small enough to use a net breeder, but they are generally given a 5 or 10 gallon tank of their own to drop their fry.
    The fry do best when raised separately for at least the first 1-2 weeks to build up some size and confidence before being
    put in with the adults.

    This fish is one that breeds seasonally here, dropping fry from Mid May until early October, but unlike other seasonally
    breeding species, it is rare for even a single female to drop fry once breeding has stopped for the year.

    Unlike many of the other livebearers, the goodeids do not hold on to sperm, so each fertilization is entirely separate
    from any previous matings. So they can be selectively bred more easily when their numbers increase. With consistent care
    this is a hardy, intensely pretty goodeid. The problem with selectively breeding them is determining which females
    carry the genes for the most intensely red males.

    Recent improvements to the fishroom have shown that they are sensitive to warmer temperatures, and must be kept below
    74-75 degrees. Thermal tops put on tanks here to control humidity caused losses, but when temperatures are kept at
    70-74 degrees this particularly attractive goodeid will do well.


    See other Care Guides Here