Agila Rivulus | Rivulus agilae




Killifish / Rivulinae / Agila Rivulus

Profile: Agila Rivulus
Rivulus agilae Synonyms: Rivulus manaensis
Physical description: An elongated fish with an up-turned mouth.   Males have a light olive back with orange to yellow flanks.  The flanks often are blue-green in areas.   The fins are also orange in color.   Females are duller orange-brown with transparent fins.
Size/Length: To 2" (5 cm)
Similar species: Rivulus geayi, R. uroflammeus
Habitat: South America; inhabits shallow areas of small rivers and streams in the coastal plains of Guyana, French Guyana, and Surinam.
S: middle, top
Aquarium: A tank measuring 16" (40 cm) with a capacity of 5 gallons (19 L).   Provide a cover of floating plants and arrange the tank in dark colors.   Plant the tank heavily along the rear and sides.   Cover the tank well.  This species prefers shallow tanks.
Water chemistry: pH 5.5-7.2 (6.9), 2-12 dH (8), 72-81°F (22-27°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful species that should be kept in a ration of one male to two or three females.   More than one male can be kept in a 28" (71 cm) tank.  Males are territorial towards others.  
Suggested companions: Small catfish, small schooling fish (tetras), Apistogramma
FOOD: Live; insects, insect larvae, crustaceans; flakes
SEX: Males are more colorful.
Breeding techniques: Use a small breeding tank furnished with Java Moss, floating plants, and spawning grass.   The water should have a temperature from 73-82°F (23-28°C), a pH from 5.5-6.5, and a water hardness from 2-7 dH.  The substrate should be peat moss.  The eggs, which are fairly large, are laid daily for a period of two to four weeks.   The peat can be removed and stored in a plastic bag for a period of three to five weeks.   Place the peat in a dark, shallow tank containing soft water.  Start feeding with Artemia nauplii.   The young are slow-growing.
Breeding potential: 8.  Breeding is difficult.
Remarks: Several color variants exist.   Many Rivulus species inhabit environments that dry up at times during the year.  The Rivulus are able to move to pools by hopping along the ground, using their pectoral fins.   Rivulus marmoratus is a hermaphroditic Rivulus , which is capable of self-fertilization.
Difficulty of care: 6.  A sensitive species that requires well-maintained water.