Central American Biotope

[MattyV55]

Hello,

I recently set up a Central American tank. I have 2 Nicaraguense, and 6 Vieja Synspilum (looking for a pair so waiting for them to pair off then getting rid of the rest.) I was wondering what would be a good schooling dither fish native to Central America to help get these guys more comfortable?

Matt

 

[duanes]

The most common natural dither type fish would be live bearers such as Poecelia velifora/shenops (sail fin mollies), Gambusia, Swordtails, or Astyanax tetras.
The tetras can be rather nippy though, and may be hard to find (they don't travel well).
Below are a couple videos I shot in the Yucatan which give a pretty good idea of the common dithers found in that area.

 

[MattyV55]

The most common natural dither type fish would be live bearers such as Poecelia velifora/shenops (sail fin mollies), Gambusia, Swordtails, or Astyanax tetras.
The tetras can be rather nippy though, and may be hard to find (they don't travel well).
Below are a couple videos I shot in the Yucatan which give a pretty good idea of the common dithers found in that area.

The most common natural dither type fish would be live bearers such as Poecelia velifora/shenops (sail fin mollies), Gambusia, Swordtails, or Astyanax tetras.
The tetras can be rather nippy though, and may be hard to find (they don't travel well).
Below are a couple videos I shot in the Yucatan which give a pretty good idea of the common dithers found in that area.

Thank you very much for the informative response. I love looking at fish in their natural habitat and seems like footage of that is very hard to find

 

[darth pike]

A lot of people use Buenos Aires tetras (Hemigrammus anisitsi) even though they aren't from the area. Their color and pattern is similar to one of the central american tetras that is widespread, but not commonly exported.