Order Cyprinodontiformes
Suborder Cyprinodontoidei
Family Poeciliidae
Subfamily Poeciliinae
Genus Priapella
The Palenque Priapella (Priapella compressa) and the blue-eye toothcarp (Priapella intermedia) are the only representatives of their genus, originating from southern Mexico. There they are found in clear, clean water, generally not very hard. Therefore, salt additives are not recommended for these fish. They can be kept in a community aquarium as well, but one must remember that they prey on fry and show a tendency towards cannibalism at a very early age.
— Palenque Priapella — Priapella compressa [Alvarez, 1948]. (Eng. — Palenque Priapella). Mexico, Grijalva, Chiapas, and Palenque rivers. Male 4 cm, female 6 cm. Fawn-colored with greenish scales forming a longitudinal row. Aquarium with clean water and high oxygen content (powerful aeration and filtration). Omnivorous. After 28-30 days, the female gives birth to up to 30 fry, 8 mm in size. dH 5-15°; pH 7.5-8.2; T 25-28°C.
— Blue Eye Toothcarp, Isthmian Priapella — Priapella intermedia [Alvarez, 1952]. (Eng. — Blue Eye Toothcarp, Isthmian Priapella). Eastern Mexico — Coatzacoalcos and Santa María Chimalapa river basins. Male 5 cm, females 7 cm. Body elongated, somewhat compressed laterally. Particular attention is drawn to the sparkling turquoise eyes of the fish. The main body coloration ranges from yellow to yellowish-beige-olive. Dark scale edges form a reticulated pattern on the body. A thin, dark, zigzag longitudinal stripe with blurred outlines runs from the gill cover to the caudal fin.
A shiny greenish to bluish spot is located on the gill cover. The iris glows blue, sparkling like tiny sapphires. Unpaired fins are yellowish for almost half of their length and bordered with white-orange strokes. Pelvic and adipose fins are transparent, with a white border at the front. The caudal fin has a white border at the top and bottom. Males have a gonopodium and are slightly smaller than females.
Peaceful, schooling fish, slightly timid. They stay in the middle and upper layers of water. Can be kept in a community aquarium with peaceful fish, with dense planting areas and floating plants. The aquarium should be covered from above, as they can jump out when frightened. They love clean water, and are very sensitive to frequent changes in the habitat and low pH levels. It is very important to monitor water purity, its acidity level, and maintain the temperature within 25 degrees. Due to the fastidiousness of this species in general, and to water purity in particular, as well as the special refinement of its beauty, the presence of other species in the aquarium reduces the aesthetic effect.
Aeration, filtration, and water changes are necessary. Adding sea salt or table salt to the water (1 tablespoon per 10 liters) favorably affects the health of the fish. The fish feed on various live and dry foods. A vegetable supplement to the diet is necessary. A livebearing fish, reaching maturity in 6-8 months. The male has a gonopodium. Eggs are fertilized inside the female’s body, and fully formed fry are released, which immediately accept food.
During pregnancy, the female’s belly does not swell and remains practically the same constant width. In addition, there is no characteristic pregnancy “spot”. Therefore, it is very difficult to visually determine the fact of a female’s pregnancy. Pregnancy lasts 4-6 weeks. Fry are about 10 mm in size, growing very slowly. Sex can be determined at 4 months. Lifespan up to 3 years. T 24-27°C; dH 8-15°; pH 7.0-8.0; salinity up to 3%.
Identification: Blue Eye Toothcarp — Priapella intermedia.
What do you know about livebearers? Genus Poecilia.
Poeciliopsis gracilis, Poeciliopsis hnilickai, Poeciliopsis turneri. 
