Humpback limia

Limia nigrofasciata

An arched male back, dark bars and yellow fins.

Mature males develop the distinctive arched back and barred flanks. Females and juveniles have a different outline, so compare fish at similar stages.

Adult length: Up to 5.2 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 24–28 °C
pH: 7–8.2
Hardness: 9–19 dGH

Natural habitat: Usually occurs in large schools over varied substrates; juveniles shelter among vegetation.

Use hard alkaline water and planted refuges from male pursuit. Keep related Limia separate when preserving lineages.

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Appearance and identification

Mature males have an arched back, dark vertical flank bars and yellowish fins; females lack the pronounced hump.

Same-species behaviour

In a mixed group keep two or three females per male to spread male attention; all-male groups also work.

Diet and feeding

Offer complete foods with substantial plant content and suitably small foods; grazing algae does not replace feeding.

Compatibility limits

Choose peaceful companions suited to the same hard water. Keep similar Limia/Poecilia separate when breeding because of hybridisation.

Aquarium environment

Dense planting gives females refuge and fry shelter from adults. Adequate vegetable food reduces plant grazing.

Sources

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

api.gbif.org ↗