1 of 3Male, in an aquariumPhoto: Marie France Janelle, CC BY-SA 2.5
2 of 3Female, in an aquariumPhoto: Przemysław Malkowski, CC BY-SA 3.0
Butterfly splitfin
Ameca splendens
Will it fit your tank?
Compare it with your tank's species, size, water tests and country.
Water
- Comfortable
- Acceptable long-term, less ideal
- Tolerated for short spells only
Space
Needs 4–8, depending on how it is kept
Needs 60–250 L, depending on how it is kept
Needs 80–90 cm, depending on how it is kept
- The space it needs, from the least to the most generous
- Recommended
Character and care
- TemperamentUsually aggressive
- Social lifeIn groups
- DietOmnivore
- SwimsNear the top, in the middle
Legal rules
The least the law allows, by country: the water and space above are what the species needs. A tank is checked against its own country's rules.
Austria
5 rules
- Ammonia: none
- Nitrite: none
- Nitrate: up to 50 mg/L NO₃
- General hardness: at least 4 dGH
- A tank of at least 54 L
Note from the rules
Austria, general duties for freshwater fish: aim for middle values of the temperature, hardness and pH ranges; adjust new fish slowly to the water; change part of the water regularly, with water of the same quality; check temperature daily, and pH, hardness and nitrate at least every 14 days; check nitrite daily during the first six weeks of a new tank; give a clear day–night cycle; provide free swimming space, filter, heater and pump, substrate, hiding places and plants where the fish allow; keep the species according to its social structure; species kept together must suit each other in water quality, temperature and social behaviour (§ 7 (5); Anlage 5, 1.1).
Switzerland
4 rules
- At least 6.8 L of water per animal
- Tank length at least 27 cm
- Tank width at least 18 cm
- Tank height at least 9 cm
Note from the rules
Switzerland, general duties for ornamental fish: minimum volume = each fish's current body length (snout to tail base) × litres per cm by size class (up to 5 cm 0.5; 10 cm 0.75; 15 cm 1; 20 cm 1.25; 30 cm 1.75; 40 cm 2.25; over 40 cm 3), summed over all fish, plus species-specific needs; the tank at least 3 times as long and 2 times as wide as the largest fish's body length, and the water at least that deep; not visible from all sides, with visual cover and retreats; a day–night rhythm; water quality suited to the species; no prolonged strong vibration; social species need contact with their own kind; prevent excessive breeding; genetically modified fish such as GloFish are banned (TSchV Art. 13, 25, 98 and Anhang 2 Tabelle 8).