Tiger limia

Limia islai

Dark bars on pale yellow, with a low-backed adult male.

This barred livebearer can be confused with L. nigrofasciata. Mature males have a lower, slimmer back; juveniles differ less.

Adult length: Up to 3.3 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 22–30 °C
pH: 7–8

Natural habitat: Known from Lake Miragoane and its clear northern outflow, with muddy beds and submerged vegetation at collection sites.

Provide mature filtration, planted refuges and open water. Separate L. nigrofasciata to avoid hybridisation.

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Appearance and identification

Black vertical bars vary in number and width over a pale olive-yellow body. Adult males are slender and lack the pronounced high back of mature humpback limias.

Same-species behaviour

Keep a breeding group of 10–20.

Space requirements

A 60 × 30 × 30 cm aquarium suits a breeding group of 10–20, with mature filtration, refuge for young and open water for adults.

Diet and feeding

Use complete flakes with substantial plant content and appropriately small live foods. It tolerates frozen food poorly.

Compatibility limits

Keep it separate from L. nigrofasciata because of hybridisation. Avoid fry predators.

Aquarium environment

Provide weedy retreats for young fish and open water for adults; overhanging shelter is also used. Java moss setups work.

Sources

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

api.gbif.org ↗

citizen-conservation.org ↗ 2026-10-22