Livebearers by Alderton, David -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Front Cover Copyright Contents Nature and Nurture 1 Where in the World?

An ancient tradition Patterns of distribution Breeding potential From the sea to freshwater Lifestyles of livebearers Predation and adaptation Parasites and pairing Foreign introductions of livebearers Endangered species

2 The Different Groups

Making Choices Be patient! Classification Family Goodeidae: goodeids or Mexican livebearers Family Anablepidae: four-eyes and related species Family Poeciliidae: guppies and related species Family Hemirhamphidae: halfbeaks

3 Characteristics and Care

Defining characteristics Other sensory organs Respiration Fin structures The copulatory organ Housing options Positioning the aquarium Plan ahead How many fish? Filtration systems Heating control Lighting Aquarium gravel Planting schemes Choosing aquarium plants Planting considerations Rocks and woodwork Water chemistry Other special housing needs

4 Feeding Habits and Food

Mouthparts The digestive tract and diet Greenstuff Color foods Live foods Meat Varying the diet

5 Reproduction

Breeding success Reproductive habits Size and survival Hybridization Mate choice Gender determination Other reproductive triggers Brood size The breeding environment Rearing the young Growth rates Genetics

6 Lifespan and Diseases

Lifespan and temperature Signs of aging Treatment tanks Signs of illness Fungal diseases Bacterial diseases Parasites Noninfectious illness

7 Popular Livebearers

Family Goodeidae Family Anablepidae Family Poeciliidae Family Hemirhamphidae