{"id":934,"date":"2019-07-03T13:24:48","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T13:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/?p=934"},"modified":"2022-05-16T06:32:06","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T06:32:06","slug":"girardinus-metallicus-poey-1854","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/2019\/07\/03\/girardinus-metallicus-poey-1854\/","title":{"rendered":"Girardinus metallicus (Poey, 1854)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Etymology:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>Girardinus&nbsp;<\/em>after the\nFrench &#8211; American ichthyologist Charles Girard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>metallicus<\/em>&nbsp;referring\nto the metallic body colouration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>First description:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Poey F.\n1854.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Los guajacones, poecesillos de agua dulce. In Poey,\nF., Memorias sobre la historia natural de la Isla de Cuba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Havana, vol. 1, pp 374 &#8211; 392, figs 8-11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Common name&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; :<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Metallic livebearer, Metallic Topminnow<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Synonyms:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>Girardinus garmani<\/em>&nbsp;Eigenmann 1903<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Girardinus\npygmaeus<\/em>&nbsp;Rivas 1944<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Type Locality:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Botanic Gardens, Havana, Cuba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Distribution:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Costa Rica, Throughout Cuba, except easternmost area at 200-300 m elevation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>History:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Reports\nsuggest the first import for the aquarium trade was made in 1906 by W. Schroot\nof Hamburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Habitat:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It can be\nfound in streams, ponds and ditches. The water is commonly stagnant and\noften&nbsp;brackish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inhabits ponds, lakes and streams. Prefers clear,\nstagnant or very sluggish water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Size:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Male 5.0 cm, Female 9.0 cm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Description<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Girardinus\nmetallicus has a streamlined head and body with a superior mouth. The dorsal,\npectoral, and caudal fins are medium length and rounded. Females have longer,\ndeeper, more rounded bodies than the males with rounded anal fins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Colour\/Pattern:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; There\nare two known colour variants for this species the better known \u2018black-chin\u2019\nand a gold belly form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Black chin &#8211; males have a black line starting from the\nmouth from the mouth and continuing through the underside of the body\n(including the gonopodium) and can reach the caudal fin, some specimens can\nhave further black colouration which in some circumstances envelopes the whole\nhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gold form &#8211; males have a gold underside extending from\nthe rear of the belly to the caudal peduncle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The females for both variants look the same, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bodies and heads range between translucent silver to a\npale gold to olive colour. Iridescent silver diamond-shaped bars along the\nlateral line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Dorsal fin has\na black spot at the bottom centre of the dorsal fin. Males have a deep overall\nmetallic gold sheen, making the silver diamonds appear brighter and larger than\non the paler female.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Behaviour:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Peaceful,\nwill predate fry. Likes to swim in the upper part of water column<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Husbandry:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Water\nshould be medium hard and&nbsp;alkaline&nbsp;with\na gentle flow, a sponge filter or something of that ilk is perfect. A\ntemperature of 24\u00ba to 26\u00ba should be aimed for<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Girardinus metallicus are omnivores and enjoy live or\nfrozen foods, supplemented with algae flakes and small pellet food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A well planted tank comprising of a substrate of\nsand\/gravel and plenty of surface cover will help this fish to acclimatise and\nfeel secure. Hiding places will also be advantageous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Breeding\nNotes:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As with other&nbsp;poeciliid species, the males are known for their persistent behaviour so a\nratio of at least 2 females per male is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gestation takes around 24 \u2013 28 days and\nbroods of between 15-30&nbsp;fry&nbsp;can\nbe expected and adult fish will predate on the young so plenty of plant cover\nis required to provide shelter for the fry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Wischnath, L., 1993<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8211; Atlas of livebearers of the\nworld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Seriously fish&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/strong>www.seriouslyfish.com<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Badmans&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/strong>badmanstropicalfish.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lee, D.S., S.P. Platania and G.H. Burgess<\/strong>, 1983. Atlas of North American freshwater\nfishes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Etymology:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Girardinus&nbsp;after the French &#8211; American ichthyologist Charles Girard metallicus&nbsp;referring to the metallic body colouration. First description:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Poey F. 1854. Los guajacones, poecesillos de agua dulce. In Poey, F., Memorias sobre la historia natural&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=934"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":935,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/934\/revisions\/935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.britishlivebearerassociation.co.uk\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}