Dither fish

[duanes]

For me, dither fish are not there to become focal points, or to distract from the main subject, they are there dither and simply make the cichlids comfortable.
For my tanks if dithers blend to be just apart of the natural scene, that''s fine.
Its one of the reasons I don't choose line bred bright color variations.
For example as Central American dithers go, the wild type swordtails are perfect as opposed to those candy apple red, or bright orange, man made varieties.

 

[lastmanstanding]

For me, dither fish are not there to become focal points, or to distract from the main subject, they are there dither and simply make the cichlids comfortable.
For my tanks if dithers blend to be just apart of the natural scene, that''s fine.
Its one of the reasons I don't choose line bred bright color variations.
For example as Central American dithers go, the wild type swordtails are perfect as opposed to those candy apple red, or bright orange, man made varieties.

Wow I never knew that swordtails looked like that. I only have seen them red at petsmart. We dont have any lfs where I live.

 

[duanes]

Wow I never knew that swordtails looked like that. I only have seen them red at petsmart. We dont have any lfs where I live.

That is Xiphophorus helleri, it is the commonway wild swordtails (there are other variations) look, the reds are line bred (man made like goldfish).

When I see pregnant females like the one above, I usually put them in a sump, or another tank to drop the fry, and grow them out.
In this way there is always a constant supply of new dithers, most small fish only live 2 or 3 years, and some unlucky ones, always seem to get eaten by the cichlids.

 

[lastmanstanding]

Where do you order your fish from? I have a 90 gallon community tank I could throw the fry in.

 

[tlindsey]

Where do you order your fish from? I have a 90 gallon community tank I could throw the fry in.

Duane lives in Panama his fish are native wild caught. You may find the Green Swordtails sold at The Wetspot.

 

[cichlid tank]

i would do like a small school of BA tetras, they are from the same area

 

[boxerlover]

I ordered my green swordtails and firemouths from Imperial Tropicals, I have ordered several fish from them and never been disappointed.

 

[duanes]

In then states, my local aquarium club had a significant contingent of live bearer aficionados, and different wild caught species were always available at meetings, auctions, and swap meets, because of the BAP (breeders award program), not only swords but other rarer species.

Zoogoneticus tequila above, Xenotoca eisenii below

Sail fin mollies below

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

I like The wild type Swords better i think also the sailfin mollies i find down here in florida quite often i usually just use them for bait though