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Central Florida Farms Aquascape Landscape Exotics Tropicals Fruit Trees Aquariums Adding Life to Yours!
Live Tropical Fish and other life forms ...................................... It is not likely that you will find these native fish in your local aquarium shop. All of our fish are shipped priority or over-nighted depending on how far away you are from us and the hardiness of the fish. They are shipped in seasoned water, given a dose of stress relief and the bag is filled with pure oxygen. All fish should be acclimated to their new environment before breaking them into their new world. You can rest assured that ALL our fish are disease and disorder free. You will notice a few links in certain paragraphs throughout the site, click on them for more information on your interest. All our fish/crayfish unless otherwise noted are domestically bred and raised in captivity. Return Policy on live fish: Only Express Overnight Delivery are guaranteed to arrive alive although I have shipped fish many times with 2-3 day priority with no problems, it is your decision. In the event of D.O.A with Express Over Night Delivery, it is required that you return the fish at your expense or provide solid proof of DOA. DOA's must be reported within two hours of delivery and we will replace it. You must be able to received the package on the first attempt to deliver for the guarantee of live arrival. We will check the delivery time by the USPS delivery confirmation. All sales are final on live animals and live arrival (as well as healthy fish) is guaranteed if USPS Express shipping is the method used, but after that it is your responsibility to keep them alive. Thank you for understanding. Our fish and live animals are only shipped on Monday & Tuesday if priority is the shipping method and Monday - Thursday if express overnight is chosen. This site is still under construction and some links may lead to nowhere, but please check back soon, as I am working daily on it. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting Central Florida Farms. Currently we are not taking orders For Tropical Fish but we do have a selection of Aquarium plants Available
Exotic Fish for your Community Tank
American Flag fish (Jordanella floridae) The American Flag Fish or sometimes referred to as the Florida Flag Fish, FFF and AFF (for short) are a lesser known easy to care for beautiful fish that deserves a wider recognition as an aquarium fish. I have never seen one in any fish store I have visited here in Florida and ironically, this is where they originate from. They feed on algae as a primary staple in their diet but will readily take to flake foods with no problems. If you have an algae problem and want to keep your liveplants from the harsh chemicals used to kill algae, this is one the best fish to get. They are also know to NOT disturb your aquarium plants! That alone is a wonderful trait for any fish. especially if you value your aquatic plants as much as you do the fish. They will eat the algae down to nothing in no time flat and keep it that way. They are found in small quiet ponds and slow moving streams and in the low flow areas of Florida's natural springs. They are a member of the Killie family and are egg layers. The male of this species is the one that really stands out with the markings of the American Flag. The upper area of his head (from his gills to the nose and up) are a deep navy blue with the scales having white tips (hence the stars). The body is horizontally stripped with vivid red and whitish yellow with a distinct blue spot in the mid section. Some males will echo this spot a few times towards the tail. When the light hits just right you will see a yellowish appearance (like the flash from the picture above), but mainly you can see by the picture from one our males why they are nicknamed "The American flag Fish. His fins are speckled a deep red. I like using florescent lights in all aquariums because they really bring out the best colors of the fish and plants and help the plants grow.
The female flag fish is not as vibrant, but is not ugly in the least. She has more sky blue overall background coloration and darker vertical stripes with an extra dark spot on the rear tip of her dorsal fin. A few females will display the red stripes in the body and red speckles in the fins as well, but will not be as vibrant. These fish grow to a max length of about 2 1/2 - 3 inches and although some have said they are aggressive towards other fish, I have the opposite say on that statement. I have never seen them abuse any fish in the community (ever), and have bred these for quite a few years. Sometimes a male will be dominant towards other AFF (American Flag Fish) in the same species but they do not ever tear a fin. I have not had long finned fish in the same tank with these but have read that they will rip long finned fish (but most any fish will do the same). Since I have no experience with this, I cannot comment on that. But as far as them being aggressive towards other fish and not being suitable for the community tank... this is a fallacy and I have not witnessed this in over a few years of owning these wonderful, easygoing, active and beautiful fish. I have kept these as a staple fish in all my community tanks ever since I found them some years ago. If your aquarium does not produce any algae at all, there are algae pellets available for their diet, but they will be ok with just fish flakes. The American Flag Fish are very easy to own fish that live about 3-4 years in temperatures between 70-80 degrees. They will spawn in temperatures above 78 but temperatures above 85 will reduce the fish's life to about 2 years. They can even stand water that is 50-60 but I do not recommend this for anyone's aquarium unless you only have fish from that native environment. They will like it better warmer. These Florida Native fish are also extremely friendly and will come to the glass when you get near instead of shying away. Even when wild caught, the adapt immediately to regular flake foods although I recommend a heavily naturally vegetated planted aquarium. If they don't go to the flake foods right away, they always eat from the plants until they do. They are very easy in the shipping department and have had no complaints. - $39.99 for Two fish - Priority Shipping! - $58.99 for Two fish - Express Overnight
Least Killie fish (Heterandria Formosa) Another Little known fish that originates from central Florida to the outskirts of Alabama and South Carolina. These fish prefer slow moving areas of the natural springs and creeks and can be found near the edges of these types of bodies of water. Although its called a Killie, it is a livebearer and grows to about 3/4 to 1 inch. The colors are gold with a black horizontal stripe from the eye to the tail. Some display a dark stop on their dorsal fin. They are quiet, non aggressive, non plant eating fish that will be very noticeable in the aquarium and they adapt very well to flake food. You won't find these in your local pet shop! $29.95 - Five Small to Midsize Least Killie Fish Free Priority Shipping! $50.00 - Five Small to Midsize Least Killie Fish Free Overnight Shipping!
Pumpkin Seed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) Here's a beauty that you won't find in many pet stores if any! Ranging from Florida to the mid United States, hidden in the back waters and small ponds it is a very secluded, beautiful fish! These should be more known but are sadly forsaken as mere baitfish. Their colors range from many as juvies and some look different than others, but they turn into a beauty! They adapt surprisingly well to domestic life given a halfway decent natural environment and will take to just about any easy to find frozen food or live. Grows to about 4-6 inches in the aquarium and is non aggressive towards other fish of similar size. Fish that are extremely smaller will be eaten since this is the natural way of the sunfish. $29.95 - Two Juvenile Dollar Sunfish Free Priority shipping! (please contact us if you desire overnight service)
Pigmy Sunfish (Elassoma evergladei) The Banded Pygmy Sunfish is a very peaceful species and their color is a darker brown mottled with lighter highlights. They have the usual sparkles in the body. There are a few different colorful varieties to be had when you can find breeders. Those who know of this fish are intrigued by the males colors during mating being a dark black with neon blue sparkles. The Pygmy Sunfish in general is another “midget” species, rarely topping an inch in either sex. It is not a true sunfish but does resemble a miniature sunfish. In the wild, they prefer shallow, weed-choked areas where it feeds on tiny worms, crustaceans, and newly hatched snails. The maximum size they will reach is about 1.5 inches long and that's pushing it. A tank set up should be a quiet, low flow from the filter. Or if living in a larger tank, plant an area at the opposite end of the filter outlet that is planted heavily with a fine leafed plant. The further away from the outflow the better. You can also plant broader leafed plants in front of that to block the flow as much as possible. My favorite plants to use are hornwort and Cobomba (red or green) with Vallisnaria in front. The plants not only provide a place of refuge but they give oxygen, a place for them to breed and hold a micro-ecosystem in which they can feed on. Their diet is easy to supplement by feeding them live newly hatched brine shrimp as a staple. Brine shrimp eggs are found in almost every aquarium store and even here on ebay and are very easy to hatch (just read the directions). They also eat mosquito larvae and you can get revenge on those biting insects. This is a truly lesser known beautiful fish for the fish enthusiast that is better suited in a heavily planted community tank with other non-aggressive species. With proper care, they are very easy to keep and such an amazing looking fish that not too many people know about. If you are looking for a truly unique fish, here ya go! These fish do require live food to survive and generally do not take to flake food. I have had a few that will eat it but you can feed them mosquito larvae or brine shrimp or live blood worms. $39.95 - Two Pygmy Sunfish Free Priority shipping! (please contact us if you desire overnight service)
Florida Molly (Poecilia sphenops) Similar to the fish listed below this one, but the males' dorsal grows about half as tall as the Poecilia latipinna. These fish are native from Florida to Mexico in fresh and brackish waterways. They grow to about 2-3 inches max and are very easy to raise fish. A livebearer that breeds continually once reaching breeding age. If you are a fan of the green swordtail fish, you will also be a fan of this fish. Similar in color but with the molly speckles and wide (tall) body of the molly it has uniform red stripes and silver speckles. The males colors are more predominant than the females. They begin their life as a yellowish color, then turn a natural green as they age. A fast growing fish that gets along with all others and doesn't destroy plantlife's aquascape. You should see these fish in person and in good lighting! They make a very exciting addition to your tank! $29.99 - Two Florida Molly Juvenile Fish Free Priority shipping! (please contact us if you desire overnight service)
Brown Hoplo (Hoplosternum littorale)- These fish are recommended to all beginners and advanced alike. These fish rarely exceed 10 inches long and is a gentle bottom feeder, resembling a very large Corydora but more brown/grey and dark than the ones sold at the local pet store. I have personally never seen one for sale before at any web site for pet store. You could be the first in your circle of friends to own one of these! They are just like the Cory cats in that they are docile creatures that will not attack any other fish. The color is a dark brown/gray and they have long thick 'whiskers'. They are easy to have fish that readily take to your flake food and will thrive in most any water conditions. They originate from South America and are actually a delicacy with most folks who know what they are. I personally have never eaten any (and probably wont) so I am going by what I have read. A very unique fish to own! They should have a tank size of 20 gallons and up. $24.95 - One Brown Hoplo Juvenile Fish Free Priority shipping! (please contact us if you desire overnight service)
Brown Striped Crayfish Crawfish Crawdad Crayfish - No matter what you call them they are a necessity in a live fish pond environment. They are even very helpful in the aquarium with no damage to small fish. They are the bottom feeders of the aquatic world and eat away dead plant material, algae, fish waste, uneaten fish food and anything else that might be decaying in your pond or aquarium. Decaying items will produce nitrites that if the levels become to high, can be harmful to your fish. You wont see them but know that they are there. Silent and seldom seen (in ponds) but efficient part of aquatic environments. These Crayfish are between 1" - 3" long and will grow FAST! These grow to about 6 inches long and some will be reddish when mature. Others may have golden or blue pinchers and a lighter color body. Their diet plays a major role in what their coloration is. In a larger pond they easily camouflage themselves and find refuge in the pond. In an aquarium, they are very interesting creatures to watch! Contrary to some beliefs, they will not be able to catch and eat your live fish. Even sleeping fish are not going to become crayfish food. Note: California residents may not purchase crayfish due to state restrictions. I apologize, not my rules. $34.50 Five- medium brown striped crayfish Free Priority shipping! (please contact us if you desire overnight service) More Life will be Added as time permits
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