MEEK, 1902 Skiffia variegata MEEK, 1902
Goodea lermae REGAN, 1907 English name:
Hooded Sawfin Family:
Goodeidae JORDAN, 1923. Subfamily:
Goodeinae JORDAN, 1923. Original description:
MEEK, S. E. (1902): A Contribution to the Ichthyology of Mexiko.
Field Col. Mus. Publ., 3 (6), pp. 63 - 128. Origin of the species name:
the name lermae refers to the distributional range of the fish, which is the Rio Lerma Basin Type locality:
Lago de Patzcuaro, close to the town Patzcuaro, Michoacán, Mexico.
Meristic properties:
Dorsal fin = 31 rays,
Anal fin = 12 rays,
Pectoral fin = 16 rays,
Ventral fin 6 rays.
The culture of Skiffia lermae is not difficult. Aquariums of 80 liters or larger should be used containing at least 2 liters of water per fish.
Skiffia lermae demands no special water parameters. Hard water with a pH value of approximately 7 to 9 is best for these fish. The water temperature should fluctuate between 19 °C and 24 °C. Fluctuating temperatures between night and day (and especially seasonal fluctuations) are beneficial for Skiffia lermae and are vital for the long lasting health of these fish.
The water should be regularly changed. Since this species lives a somewhat secluded life, hiding places in the aquarium, such as plants, stone constructions and roots should be included.
The food demands of Skiffia lermae are modest, so that flakes, frozen and live-food of all kinds are accepted. A vegetable portion should be included in the diet. Scalded spinach should be added as a supplement food.
Any algae in the aquarium will become an additional source of food.
Breeding is not as easy as it is the case with other species and will only be met with success under good aquarium conditions. The number of offspring in a single spawn is small.
The size of the fry varies between 8 and 12 mm. The older fish do not especially chase their young.
In two biotopes in which he had found Skiffia lermae BRIAN KABBES could find only a low population density. It could not be clarified whether this species is suppressed by the other fish genera living in the same biotope and cannot compete with them, or if the progressive water decline (which means a reduction of the biotope) plays a role. While in the case of Skiffia lermae only adult specimens existed while among the other genera fish of all ages could be found.
Variability of these fish seemed low. All of the fish were covered with very little marbling, in contrast to other populations that had been obseved.
In both visited biotopes Skiffia lermae is immensely under pressure and it is very likely that it will be the first species to disappear. Mainly at the habitat Rancho El Molino the water pollution is very high because of the daily use of large amounts of detergent.  |
Taken from: MOHSEN (1961b)
Anal fin Skiffia lermae females.
H = haemal thorns  |
Taken from: MOHSEN (1961b)
Afterflosse Entommen: Mohsen (1961b)
Anal fin with Andropodium Skiffia lermae males.
H = haemal thorns  |
Taken from: Aqualog publishing company
Title: all Livebearers and Halfbeaks,
Photo by: Manfred K. Meyer.
Habitat: ranch El Molino, Michoacán, Mexico, wild form, male, 6 cm.  |
Skiffia lermae
Habitat: Rancho El Molino
Photo by: Uwe Dost  |
Skiffia spec. (lermae?)
Habitat: Zacapu sea
Photo by: Uwe Dost  |
Skiffia spec. (lermae?)
Habitat: Zacapu sea
Photo by: Uwe Dost |
