Merry widow livebearer (Phallichthys amates)

Scientific name: Phallichthys amates Miller, 1907

The Merry widow livebearer (Phallichthys amates) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–27°C (75–81°F). Native range: Central America, Atlantic drainages, from southern Guatemala to Costa Rica and Panama.

Merry widow livebearer care at a glance

Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)

Biology

Robust body gray with bluish highlights, deep and almost rhomboid. Males with very long gonopodium that reaches the base of the tail; together with the young, with 6 - 8 dark bars (diffused in females).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Phallichthys amates
Family: Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Order: Cyprinodontiformes (Live bearers, Killifishes and Rivulines)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 7.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 9 - 19 demersal; non-migratory
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Central America: Atlantic drainages, from southern Guatemala to Costa Rica and Panama.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)