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Blackfin Pearlfish

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  • Blackfin Pearlfish (Austrolebias nigripinnis)

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ID:	952215Click image for larger version

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    Common Name: Blackfin Pearlfish
    Scientific Name: Austrolebias nigripinnis

    This fish has haunted me since I first saw a picture of it years ago. I finally achieved a life goal and have these fish. They are easy to raise for a South American Annual. They are tolerant of pH and hardness and even temperature. They are a variable species and almost every collecting spot has a variant color pattern. I have been watching my pair spawn and look forward to their eggs hatching in a few weeks.



    Temperature
    pH Range
    Hardness (dH)
    Max. Size
    Min. Tank Size
    Swim Area
    68F - 74F 6.0 - 7.0 5-12 dH 3 inches 5 gallons Bottom

    Origin:
    They are found in South America in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in the Parana and Uruguay River Basins.
    Life Span:
    1 year
    Diet:
    Carnivore
    Additional Diet Information:
    In the wild they feed on bottom dwelling worms and crustaceans. I feed dry food, freeze dried foods, frozen foods, and live brine. Mosquito larvae, daphnia, and other small crustaceans will be eaten.

    These fish spend most of their time on the bottom grubbing for food. Live black worms or tubifex worms will stimulate this behavior.
    Gender Difference:
    Dimorphic
    The body coloration is blue-grey to bluish-black with 9 - 11 rows of brilliant turquoise spots. The abdomen behind the gill covers is lighter in color. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins display larger turquoise spots and blotches. The dorsal fin contains 5 or 6 concentric arced lines of turquoise spots. The edge of the dorsal and anal fins has a darker band. Some populations have a turquoise edging inside of the dark band on the dorsal fin. The females are light brown with grey spots. There are several black spots on the side of the body.
    Breeding:
    Substrate Spawner
    Take a two and 1/2 gallon bare tank with a sponge filter and some java moss for the female. Fill the bottom with 1-2 inches of fine peat (Jiffy peat pellets w/o fertilizer). Add a pair that have been well fed with a variety of live and frozen foods. Male will force the female into the peat where the eggs are laid. Remove the peat after a week or two. Place the peat on newspaper to remove the excess water. The peat should compress and hold its shape with just a little paper. Place in a ziplock bag record species, date beginning spawning, date ending and the approximate date to check for eyes. Eggs must rest for 2-4 months.

    Cool water stimulates breeding. Although 5-12 dh is ideal hardness, they do spawn in harder water. There may be belly sliders in this case.
    Temperament/Social Behavior:
    • Peaceful
    • Reclusive/Solitary
    • Timid/Shy

    Availability:
    Rarely Seen
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