I've recently found myself becoming interested in these guys (especially Characodon lateralis). I was wondering what sort of set up they would work best for them and if they have any special requirements being a desert species. Another question I have is on their legality. I don't really think the Mexican government would like them being shipped all over the world, but it also seems some of them have been being bred in captivity for a while now. Is it safe to say that finding legal animals isn't too difficult? Where would be the best place to acquire some? (and) Is C. lateralis a good species to begin with? I'm just trying to get some information on them. I'm still debating whether I want to set up a tank any. Half of me thinks they would be an interesting fish to keep and breed and the other half says keeping an endangered group of animals isn't the best idea.
Thanks in advance!

I've recently found myself becoming interested in these guys (especially Characodon lateralis). I was wondering what sort of set up they would work best for them and if they have any special requirements being a desert species. Another question I have is on their legality. I don't really think the Mexican government would like them being shipped all over the world, but it also seems some of them have been being bred in captivity for a while now. Is it safe to say that finding legal animals isn't too difficult? Where would be the best place to acquire some? (and) Is C. lateralis a good species to begin with? I'm just trying to get some information on them. I'm still debating whether I want to set up a tank any. Half of me thinks they would be an interesting fish to keep and breed and the other half says keeping an endangered group of animals isn't the best idea.
Thanks in advance!

Goodieds in general are amoung the coolest of North American fish. (In my opinion)
Characodon do best and breed best in flocks so it is ideal to have a larger sized tank for them. An average breeding group of 25 fish will need at least a 30 gallon tank. I prefer myself to use 55 gallons or above. Dispite these fish being a desert species they do not generally like warm water. Keep the temp in the low 70's. They do require very good water conditions so should have regular heavy water changes (80% a week is not too much). Feeding is not problematic but do offer variety.

On the legal issues with these fish...There are none. Characodons are not being wild collected and have not been for some time now. There are several strains of them that have been captive bred by specialists in these fish for many years. These fish are very much in danger of extinction and this is precisly why we need more people keeping them and not less. I highly suggest joining the American livebearer assoc. and obtaining source fish from them. These fish will be the pure strains and not the Hobby strains one often will see on aquabid or the like.

Thanks for all the info! Are there any species that would be good to keep in fewer numbers? I might like to try a smaller group of fish before I go all out.

Thanks for all the info! Are there any species that would be good to keep in fewer numbers? I might like to try a smaller group of fish before I go all out.

Ameca or Xenotoca..Chapalichthys are also a candidate.

Most can be kept in smaller quarters without issue in smaller groups but they are no where near as productive when doing so. I really need to state larger groups are better for propagation but not really a needed part of care in general. A few Characodon will do just fine in a tank in low numbers and even produce fry. They will not be as productive but will maintain themselves. I sometime get stuck in the propagation methods of these fish and not just the keeping of them. My mistake there in not saying flock keeping is not really needed it is just beneficial.

Alright, I'm still interested in Characodon and Xenotoca is interesting as well. I guess my last question would be on their aggressiveness. I've read Characodon (audax in particular) will kill other males and that Xenotoca (eiseni here) can be quite pugnacious. Have you seen this in your experience? And now that I'm thinking about it I would probably start off with a group of 8-10 lateralis, do you think this would be a decent start?
Thanks for putting up with my barrage of questions.

Alright, I'm still interested in Characodon and Xenotoca is interesting as well. I guess my last question would be on their aggressiveness. I've read Characodon (audax in particular) will kill other males and that Xenotoca (eiseni here) can be quite pugnacious. Have you seen this in your experience? And now that I'm thinking about it I would probably start off with a group of 8-10 lateralis, do you think this would be a decent start?
Thanks for putting up with my barrage of questions.

Characodon and Xenotoca really tend to not really be as aggressive as much of the literature states, especially when kept in larger single species groups. Single fish or smaller numbers will be more nippy and testy but nothing like the evil some have stated they possess. I have not kept any of these fish in community settings with other goodieds or other fish except for on a few rare cases. Characodons where kept with Poecilia wingi (Endlers livebearer) with no issue or problem. One thing of note though is do not keep any bottom dwelling fish (Corys etc.) with goodieds..They really really do not like these and will kill or mangle them.

A group of 8-10 C. lateralis would be ideal to start off with. I would suggest getting very young fish rather than older ones. These fish are long lived but are only fertile and breeding for a short time.

Have a look around on this site - Goodeid Forum. I found it very informative

YMMV

Ken

As per Characodon aggressiveness, it really depends on the location. Audax males are very hard on each other unless in large groups. Amado nervo population are not aggressive at all to each other. The Los Berros population is intermediate of the two. A 20 long is enough for a group of the last two, but the Audax from El toboso need something on the order of 40 breeder. The san marcos sp. of Xenotoca is the less aggressive of the eiseni set.(All of this is just my opinion, but I have all these fish currently).

I agree some mexican fish are really interesting!


I currently have I. Fucridens and they're spawning like crazy. I'm even considering giving them away to certain people. 20 plus fry right now for a 40g tank this soon will be overcrowded with 6 full sized adults as there is already more couple of those that's halfway reaching adulthood.