This is one of the 40+ Goodeids, a family of livebearers hailing from Mexico’s central plateau. This fish is possibly extinct in the wild, although I’ve heard recent reports a wild population has been found.
We’ve had A. splendens for probably a decade. For some reason our database doesn’t have the information we usually keep on our fish, such as where we got them. And, I don’t remember now.
For us they are very prolific with large fry and no cannibalism. Females drop about 20 fry every month, winter and summer included. Unlike some of the Goodeids, this fish tolerates our high summertime water temperatures. The Goodeids, despite the latitude they are found in, like cooler temperatures than the more common swordtails, platies, guppies, and mollies. They reside at the higher and cooler altitudes of their plateau home.
We raise these like all our other livebearers in a three vat rotation. One vat for the breeding colony, one for adults to be sold, and one for fry and juveniles. Our fish reach sexual maturity in about three to four months depending on the water temperatures. We feed our normal prepared foods (see www.simplepetproducts.com) and, occasionally some livefoods such as Gammarus. This fish is a very good first Goodeid for hobbyists wanting to try this livebearer family.
The photo is of a pair, male above and female below. This male shows pink spangles while some males show blue spangles. One of these days I’ll work out the genetics of the pink and blue spangles. First, I’ll probably split our fish into two lines, blue and pink, to see if I can get two true-breeding lines.
Barbara says
do you sell AMECA SPLENDENS . I have one Male .
charles says
Barbara,
Normally, yes we do sell Ameca splendens. But, we’re still recovering from Hurricane Harvey during which was lost about a 1,000 Ameca. We have two breeding colonies going and should, in about a month, release fish for sale.
Charles
Diane Capp says
Do you have any Butterfly Goodeid Ameca splendens available ?? I live in Florida and need some in my 75 gallon for Hair Grass I can not get rid of … Would like at least 1 male and 1 female ..
Thanks
Diane
Charles Clapsaddle says
Diane, I’m sorry but we are down only to a smwll breeding colony at this time. They were hit hard by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath and we almost lost our line that we’ve had since the early 2000s. We should have fish available next spring. Charles
Zach Dorman says
Hello any Butterfly Splitfin / Ameca Splendens for sale?
Charles Clapsaddle says
Zach,
We should have some ready about March or April. Out of the hundreds we had, we lost all but one male and four females in the Texas Winter Storm, but they have already produced fry. Once we get the breeding colony up to strength, we’ll offer them.
Charles
Wyatt says
Can you just move somewhere else for crying out loud?
Charles Clapsaddle says
Wyatt, every place has its advantages and liabilities. Having moved the hatchery once from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Goliad, Texas, I’m not really up to another move.
Charles