Emeraldking-aquatics livebearers

Girardinus

Girardinus metallicus

On the picture below we have some metallic girardinus (girardinus metallicus). This is a kept breed which showed up more frequently in the eighties than nowadays. Its origin goes back to Cuba where they can be found in creeks, ponds and shallow streams. The males will stay a lot smaller than the females. Officially there's just one kind in the wild occuring. And that version is very plain in coloration and is basiclly greyish. But most known are the two fancy breeds. The ones with a black belly and the ones with the yellow belly.

Above: Normal phenotype.

Below: Black belly phenotype (aka Black chin)

Above: Yellow belly phenotype.

When it comes to colouration, this breed isn't that intense. But just because these days this fish doesn't occur that often in the aquaristic world anymore, it seemed tempting to keep this one because of its current oddness. And they've got a certain charm as well.
Also the upper part of its eye has a bluish shining. The females reaches 7 cm ( (less than 3 inches) in length while the males will stop at 2.5 cm (1 inch). Be sure that the tank will be wellplanted especially when you like to breed them. And keep the temperature between 24°C and 28°C. For they'll do good at these rates.

Below: A rare phenotype. This is a leucistic male (white with black eyes). It's a recessive trait.

Girardinus uninotatus
The Girardinus uninotatus (also known as Glaridichthys torralbasi and singlespot topminnow) originates from the western part of Cuba and fisrtly described by Poey (1860).

This slender andf friendly livebearer can be kept in soft till neutral water (pH 6,5-7,5) and best kept at temperatures between 18°C - 28°C. Which makes it a contender to keep outdoors during the better months of the year. They can size up till approximately 6 - 10 cm. But in an average fishtank a max size of 6cm is more realistic.

Both genders have a comma sign on both sides behind the belly area.

Further on this omnivore inhabits streams and other waters and they mainly reside at the banks.
Below: The red mark shows their distribution.

Girardinus falcatus.

The Girardinus falcatus (also known as Goldbelly topminnow and yellow belly) is to be found in p[onds, lakes and lowland streams in Cuba.

This omnivore lives in moderate flowing till still waters with a sandy till muddy substrate and lots of vegetation.

There's quite difference in bodysize between both genders. The male will grow up to