Butterfly Splitfin Goodeid - Ameca splendens : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Introduction

For a considerable period, the Butterfly Splitfin Goodeid (Ameca splendens) has garnered significant popularity among aquarists. These aesthetically pleasing live-bearing fish possess a captivating metallic sheen. However, this species is known to exhibit a tendency for occasional aggressiveness, yet there exist several strategies for managing this behaviour.

Primarily, maintaining a substantial population of these fish, with a ratio of 2 to 3 females per male, helps redirect their focus towards their own group. Ideally, a shoal comprising a minimum of 8 to 10 individuals is preferred within a suitably spacious aquarium. Secondly, when selecting tankmates, it is advisable to choose swift-swimming species with short fins. Small, delicately finned, and slow-moving fish are prone to become targets of aggression.

In cases where smaller aquariums are utilized, the reduced space brings the fish into closer proximity. Thus, if the intention is to house multiple species together, it is crucial to provide ample room. Alternatively, opting for a species-specific tank is recommended if a larger aquarium is not feasible. Ample rocks and vegetation should be incorporated into the tank layout to create visual barriers, enabling the fish to seek refuge when they perceive a threat. Typically, an alpha male emerges from the group, occasionally exhibiting minor quarrels with other males, but no significant harm should result.

Butterfly Splitfin Goodeids are renowned for their voracious appetite for algae, making certain soft-leaved plants viable food options. To maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance, robust or fast-growing plant species should be selected. Excessive lighting is not a concern, as the presence of a group of these fish prevents algae proliferation within the aquarium.

Water quality must be diligently maintained, focusing on cleanliness and high oxygenation levels. Moderate water flow is also necessary for the well-being of these fish. Efficient filtration is imperative, as this species generates a significant amount of waste and is particularly sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. Regular partial water changes, at least once a week, are essential, and it is worth noting that these fish are intolerant of softwater conditions.

A fully developed dominant male specimen of the Butterfly Splitfin Goodeid exhibits a prominent black dorsal fin, similar to the caudal fin. Along the caudal's upper margin, a yellow band extends. Both male and female individuals possess ochre bodies with silvery sides and brownish backs. Males typically exhibit numerous gleaming metallic scales. 

Females and juveniles feature black dots on their sides and ochre-coloured fins. The colouration of the males' fins intensifies when they are excited, and depending on their mood, they may display a more or less distinct black band along their sides. During the initial two weeks following birth, the young exhibit a silvery appearance in its entirety.