The content of the article
Rainbow tsikhlazoma - a wonderful representative of the underwater world. This fish is large in size, attractive and bright in color. That is why many lovers of home fish prefer Tsihlazome. It is very interesting to watch it, while the fish is in excellent contact with other inhabitants of the aquarium.
Cichlazoma in vivo
This species of fish is considered rare and it lives exclusively on a certain territory, which is the river Usumasinta. It stretches across the entire western part of Mexico. Sometimes Cichlazoma can be found in other regions of Mexico.
Fish loves quiet habitats, ponds with a leisurely flow, or no flow at all. Most fish are found in freshwater lakes. Sometimes it can be found in salt water, but aquatic vertebrate cannot live for long in such conditions.
What is cichlazoma
Rainbow fish can reach quite large sizes. Under natural conditions, its parameters can reach 35 cm, and the life cycle - about 10 years. Of course, in an aquarium, fish does not reach such large sizes. The body of the animal has an oval and powerful body. Males differ from females in a small fat cone that appears on the head of the fish.
She got her named Cichlazoma due to the bright and unusual color. The color of rainbow fish can be different. In some places it is purple, yellow and even black. Sometimes scales can shimmer with some other colors.
It should be noted that adult individuals look much more attractive, as the fish grow older they become brighter. The representatives of the water world reach their maximum saturation in color after 4 years of life.
How to keep and feed the fish
In the diet of fish should be present plant foods, such as algae, seeds, various fruits. In natural conditions, the rainbow fish eats aquatic plants that are in the pond.
For pets, you can use the usual feed, which is sold at the pet store. Additionally, you can use various additives in the form of protein feed. Usually it includes fish fillet, shrimp and mussel meat, chopped worms. At home, you can dilute the nutrition of Cichlazomas with vegetables, for example, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini.
Since the rainbow fish is large, it is necessary to prepare the appropriate conditions for it. First of all, you need to take care of a sufficient amount of water, it should not be less than 400 liters. A cichlazoma feels great at a temperature of no lower than 25 degrees and no higher than 30. It must also be remembered that the higher the temperature of the water, the more actively the fish behaves. The acidity of water should not exceed 7.5. These indicators must be monitored daily.
Be sure to lay soil on the bottom of the aquarium. It is preferable to choose fine sand or gravel as the basis. The fish likes to bury in the sand, and watching this process is extremely exciting. But there is no particular need to worry about plants. It is enough to lay a little moss on the bottom of the aquarium and place hard plants, which are usually planted in a pot.
When creating a new residence for fish, you can do without greenery at all. Fish do not really need plants, but they always need good shelter. Therefore, it is worth looking for small pots where the rainbow fish can hide, various snags, branches. The most important thing is to securely fasten objects, as the fish loves to climb under them, move them from one place to another. Be sure to purchase a quality filter. At least once a week you need to change the water in the aquarium.
Contact with other fish
This representative can be quite aggressive, so it’s better to select large neighbors for him, and the aquarium for them should be as large as possible. However, even this does not guarantee peace in an artificial reservoir. Fish can both cohabit perfectly, and constantly aggress.
The larger the aquarium, the less likely it is that the fish will constantly fight. The more space, the more personal space for each fish, which can always find a cozy place. Fish owners can create pairs. To do this, you need to purchase at least 6-8 young individuals.
It is not difficult to distinguish between a female and a male, since sexual characteristics are pronounced. Males are always larger than females; over time, a small fat cone forms on their head. In addition, their fins are much longer than that of females.
Breeding new individuals
When the female and male begin to lay eggs, they look for suitable shelter for this. From this secluded corner of the fish remove all the garbage. At this moment, the male can behave aggressively towards the female, however, such behavior at a particular moment is considered the norm. If the male strongly offends the female, it is better to separate the pair by installing a net in the aquarium.
After spawning has passed (this takes about 3 days), the fry will come out of the eggs, and after a few days it will begin to swim. First, the fry must be fed as finely as possible, gradually switching to a larger feed. Usually a couple takes care of the fry, but if they are preparing for a new spawning, they will not pay attention to it, and may even be rude. In this case, the fry is better to separate from the parents.
Video: Cichlasoma synspilum rainbow
Submit