HomeFreshwater aquarium fishGuppies & livebearersButterfly splitfin Butterfly splitfin (Ameca splendens) Scientific name: Ameca splendens Miller & Fitzsimons, 1971 The Butterfly splitfin (Ameca splendens) is a freshwater fish of the family Goodeidae that grows to about 8 cm (3.1 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 26–32°C (79–90°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: North America, Streams and rivers in the central highlands of Mexico. Butterfly splitfin care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size8 cm (3.1 in)Minimum tank75 L (20 US gal)Temperature26–32°C (79–90°F)pH6.0–8.0Hardness9–19 dGH (161–339 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes, wafers, frozen foods and live foods. Species factsScientific nameAmeca splendensFamilyGoodeidae (Splitfins)OrderCyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length8.0Depth range2 m (7 ft)EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 demersal; depth range ? - 2 mClimateTropicalDistributionNorth America: Jalisco, Mexico.Conservation status (IUCN)Extinct in the Wild (EW)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial More guppies & livebearersBluetail goodeaAtaeniobius toweriBold characodonCharacodon audaxPoecilia wingeiMollyPoecilia sphenopsSouthern platyfishXiphophorus maculatusGreen swordtailXiphophorus helleriiSee all guppies & livebearers Can it live with...?Butterfly splitfin and Black ghostButterfly splitfin and Black sharkminnowButterfly splitfin and Blackbarred limiaButterfly splitfin and Bleeding-heart tetraButterfly splitfin and Bloodfin tetraButterfly splitfin and Bluespotted corydorasButterfly splitfin and Bluetail goodeaButterfly splitfin and Brilliant rasboraButterfly splitfin and Chinese suckerButterfly splitfin and Clown barbButterfly splitfin and Clown loachButterfly splitfin and Clown rasboraButterfly splitfin and Crescent bettaButterfly splitfin and Dwarf botiaButterfly splitfin and Dwarf rainbowfishButterfly splitfin and Eel LoachButterfly splitfin and Forktail rainbowfishButterfly splitfin and Gangetic leaffishButterfly splitfin and Garnet tetraButterfly splitfin and Glass catfishButterfly splitfin and Glowlight tetraButterfly splitfin and Goldeneye cichlidButterfly splitfin and Gulf gambusiaButterfly splitfin and Head-and-taillight tetraButterfly splitfin and Horseface loachButterfly splitfin and Indian glassy fishButterfly splitfin and Lampeye panchaxButterfly splitfin and Leopard corydorasButterfly splitfin and MollyButterfly splitfin and Mosquitofish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026