Limia islai can be distinguished by almost all other Limia species by the presence of black vertical stripes across the fishes body.[4] The only other Limia species to possess a similar striping is Limia nigrofasciata.[4] Stripes are present on both male and female members of L. islai.[4] The number of stripes on an individual fish can vary between 4 and 12.[4]Limia islai have slender bodies which are olive green in colour and fish possess yellow pigment in their snout and fins.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Limia islai is endemic to Haiti, where the species is restricted to the Tiburon Peninsula of Southwest Haiti.[6] This species has only been recorded in the coastal Lake Miragoâne.[6] The lake is freshwater and reaches a maximum depth of 45 meters.[6] The habitat consists of aquatic vegetation and a muddy substrate.[6]
Reproduction
Unlike the similarly striped L. nigrofasciatata which mates via courtship, Limia islai will sneak up on their females in order to thrust their gonopodium into them and mate.[3]Limia islai is a livebearer, which reproduces via internal fertilization and gives birth to live young. Mated females will release between 5 and 20 fry per pregnancy.[7]
Etymology
The word Limia is derived from the Latin word "limus", which means mud. This refers to a Limias feeding habit of searching through mud. The word Islai however is reference to the first person to introduce the species in the aquarium hobby, Dominic Isla.[7]
