Sparkling limia

Limia perugiae

A silver-blue male sheen and a dark dorsal marking.

Metallic sheen varies with lighting and population, so blue alone is not an identification. Look for the male dorsal marking and pale yellow tail; females are usually fuller and less colourful.

Adult length: Up to 10 cm
Water temperature: 24–30 °C
pH: 7.5–8.5

Natural habitat: Inhabits streams.

Provide planted refuges from persistent males. Keep Limia lineages separate for breeding.

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Appearance and identification

Males show a light-dependent silver-blue sheen, dark dorsal markings and a pale yellow tail; females are fuller and plainer. L. tridens males can also shine blue but have a more conspicuous orange-yellow dorsal patch and vertical bars.

Same-species behaviour

An active, social livebearer. Keep two or three females per male in mixed groups; all-male groups also work. Monitor pursuit and provide refuges.

Diet and feeding

Use complete flakes or micropellets with plant content, supplemented with suitably small live or frozen food; algae grazing does not replace feeding.

Compatibility limits

Choose peaceful companions with matching hard-water needs, and keep similar Limia/Poecilia separate for lineage breeding.

Aquarium environment

Dense plants shelter females from males and fry from adults. Adequate vegetable food reduces plant grazing; watch actual grazing.

Sources

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

api.gbif.org ↗