Livebearers
Mostly native to Central America, these small, colourful fish are very popular because they are very hardy and inhabit all levels of the aquarium. Platys are probably the best example, a very good choice for an aquarium which has just benn started. The name livebearers is quite simple: fish whose eggs are fertilized and hatched internally within the females body.

This is a jet-black fish with quite unusual dorsal fins (in males). With enough space the dorsal fin can become very big. This is normally a very active fish.

Another impressive looking Molly, gets its name from its dorsal fin. The body is normally dark green, but this picture is an albino/gold variety. Can get very big.

This is a very popular fish, probably because each Guppy's colour is unique. Females tend to be larger and duller.

There are many colour varieties of Swordtails. It isn't unknown for a female to change into a male, especially when affected by parasites.

There are large numbers of colour strains of the Platy. In some cases the body and fins are single colour; in other the body is unicolour. The platy is a peaceful and hardy fish.