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The presence of fish-cleaners is an excellent solution for all owners of home aquariums with densely flowering vegetation. This is due to their effective help in improving the environment intended for various inhabitants of the aquarium and maintaining the necessary internal balance.
The most popular, demanded and clearly distinguished among other types of fish-cleaners is otocinclus, the features and rules of the contents of which will be described in this material.
Description
Such an aquarium inhabitant as catfish otocinclius is a hardworking assistant to the owner of the aquarium and belongs to the genus of quite popular and famous river inhabitants - chain catfish. A characteristic external difference from other species is the presence of fused bone plates on a small and fragile body.
The natural habitat is water bodies in South America. Ototsinkllyus - a peaceful fish, quietly getting along with all its neighbors, plant food predominates in the diet. It prefers reservoirs with clean water and a moderate course, living in places with a denser overgrown with algae bottom, closer to the shore.
Small schools of fish, the average size of which reaches 5 cm, regularly comb the sandy bottom of the reservoir. Due to the presence of the suction cup’s mouth, the catfish can withstand even a fairly strong current, tightly attached to the surface. Also, the structural features of the mouth allow this river inhabitant to clean plants, while not violating their integrity.
Kinds
At present, at least 17 species of aquarium fish are known that are related to the genus Ototsinklus, their main differences are patterns on the body and tail. However, not all of them are effective in the fight for the cleanliness of the aquarium, and not all of them can be kept in it.
The best known subspecies of catfish cleaner are: negros, affinis and speckled otocinclus.
Most representatives of the catfish genus, otocinclus, are relatively small. Sometimes, due to their invisibility, this type of fish is rather difficult to detect in the aquarium. The size of the largest individuals reaches 5.5 cm, the smallest - a little more than two centimeters.
Features of the care and maintenance of catfish cleaners
I would like to note that for the maintenance of these fish cleaners do not require a lot of water, for one small flock, 50 liters will be quite enough. It is important to understand that otocycluses are very clean fish. Therefore, in order for the water in the aquarium to be constantly fresh, it should be equipped with special equipment (an additional filter and aerator). As a rule, water changes in aquariums with catfish cleaners are carried out weekly (at least 30% of the total). The most acceptable for this species of fish water temperature indicators fluctuate in the range: 22-25 ° C, stiffness parameters: 2-15 °.
It is important to consider that one of the most important conditions for keeping fish of this species is the presence of dense vegetation in the aquarium. This is due to the fact that it is such "greens" that are the main food for catfish cleaner.
Unlike other fish, bright sunlight does not interfere with the otocinclus at all, besides this is a significant plus, since it improves the growth of aquarium plants.
As a rule, the main habitat of the fish is the bottom of the aquarium, however, they often rise up behind a breath of fresh air, and this phenomenon is considered quite normal. This can be explained by the fact that in addition to gill breathing, catfish also have the so-called "intestinal", which is used exclusively in case of emergency.
Feeding fish: what to consider
The presence of dense vegetation in the aquarium is enough to feed otocinclus (accumulating plaque on the leaves of plants). Nevertheless, it is necessary to monitor the activity of the flock of cleaners - a quick cleanup often subsequently causes the fish to starve. Therefore, feeding catfish cleaners is required. These fish prefer a variety of dry food, as well as frozen food. Often experienced aquarists use lettuce, green peas and cucumbers for more nutritious feeding of these small and nimble cleaners.
Some lovers of otocinclus for better feeding their aquarium pets are engaged in the artificial cultivation of algae. To do this, you need to take a few pebbles from the aquarium and put it on the windowsill. After a while, a raid will appear on them, which is the main delicacy of a small neat.
Compatibility - with whom do catfish cleaners get along?
Ototsinklus is a rather peaceful and timid fish, from which one should not expect manifestations of aggression. Such a peaceful nature and small size make the catfish a target for most more aggressive neighbors. Therefore, catfish should in no case be planted with fish of the cichylaceae genus. But living together with other cleaners (Siamese catfish) can create real food competition.
The aquarium inhabitants with whom otocinclus gets along well are:
- guppies;
- Iriaterina Werner;
- rhodostomuses;
- neons
- erythrozone;
- shrimp riley.
What are the fish sick
The peculiarity of the catfish of otocinclus is its excellent adaptation to new conditions, which is why they practically do not get sick. The main diseases that affect these small catfishes include a variety of bacterial infections that occur due to the high levels of nitrates in the water.
Breeding and reproduction
We note that often the process of reproduction of otocinclus occurs almost imperceptibly, especially if the owner of the aquarium took care of the presence of a large amount of greenery in it. Changes are noticeable only after the number of fish of this species increases markedly. The fry grow quite quickly - in just 2-3 weeks, the small catfish cleaner reaches the size of an adult.
Caviar laying, as a rule, is performed several times during the summer, while an additional increase in the replacement of water volumes is not required.
To stimulate spawning, it is enough for owners of catfish catfish to increase feeding with protein (bloodworms, tubule ducts and microorganisms that appear during flowering water).
Spawning features
An ideal place for breeding catfish of cleaners of this species is a small aquarium (50-60 liters), without additional soil and with the obligatory presence of a sponge filter. To feed future offspring in the aquarium, you can plant Javanese moss and other plants. For spawning, it is enough to plant one female and several males, which immediately after spawning are deposited in a common aquarium. Water is changed once a week (at least 25-30% of the total volume).
For one spawning, the female lays at least 50-60 transparent yellowish eggs.If the eggs were laid in the general aquarium, then it can be carefully moved to the incubator aquarium, after cutting off the leaves of the plants, on which it is glued.
Ototsinklusov fry
When growing fry, one should not forget about the regular and more frequent, than always, change of water in the aquarium, used as an incubator. This will help to make more efficient bottom cleaning from feed residues, as well as significantly reduce nitrate levels.
Important! During the water change, a special protective cap is put on the hose, which will not allow suction of fry.
As a top dressing for fry, blooming water saturated with microorganisms can be used. For these purposes, prepare a separate tank with aquarium water, which must be installed in direct sunlight.
Video: otocinclius aquarium fish
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