Xenoophorus captivus

Xenoophorus captivus is a critically endangered goodeid livebearer known from only a single spring system in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, with captive hobbyist collections serving as an essential conservation insurance against total extinction in the wild. Males develop attractive rows of dark spots and a blue-grey iridescence. Easy to keep in cool, hard, well-filtered water, this species produces regular broods of well-developed live young without any special breeding triggers. Keeping this fish is a genuine act of conservation.

House in a minimum 40 L tank with moderate hardness (GH 10–20, KH 5–12) and temperature 18–24°C — no heater required in most European rooms. Feed high-quality omnivore flake, spirulina, and small live or frozen invertebrates. Perform 20–25% weekly water changes. Compatible with similarly sized peaceful species. Contact conservation breeding networks (Goodeid Working Group) to share surplus fry and support the species' survival. Do not hybridise with other goodeids.