Brocade pterigoplicht - care and maintenance in the aquarium

Brocade catfish or pterigoplicht is a popular and widely known fish among lovers of aquarium inhabitants. To date, the varieties of this aquarium resident, there are more than a hundred species and, as a rule, their main difference is color. Nevertheless, people with experience will never confuse a different look with brocade catfish, even if it will be very similar to it, which is explained by the characteristic features of the appearance.

Main features and description of brocade catfish

The first mention of catfish pterigoplichte came to us from the distant 1854, it was then that this fish became known as a species thanks to the descriptions of natural scientists who found it.

This type is characterized by a number of certain signs:

1. Aquarium catfish is a fairly large fish, which can reach a size of 15-20 cm.
2. A characteristic feature of the fish is the presence of a crest of the sail, located in the front of the hull and consisting of a dozen rays. In that case, if the number of rays of the ridge is less than ten, this is a similar, but still fish of a different species.
3. Male catfish on their pectoral fins have small formations resembling spikes.
4. The fish’s unique leopard color is hard to forget - brown spots neatly separated by a yellow border that cover the entire body of the fish along with the fins clearly distinguish it from other aquarium inhabitants. It is from the pattern of spots that the age of the catfish is determined, the older it is, the more blurry it is.
5. Pterigoplichtum has small, but highly located eyes, while their iris duplicates the spotted color of the fish.

Natural habitat

Like most fish, brocade catfish also has its own breeding method. For this, the females are found in the river soil of the cavity where the eggs are laid. Protection of the masonry, up to the appearance of fry, is the male's task.

In wildlife, the size of brocade catfish reaches half a meter, life expectancy is up to 20 years. The main food of fish is vegetation, however, it is considered omnivorous, as it can sometimes feed on carrion.

A characteristic feature of the fish are suction cups, with the help of which it can be attached to vertical surfaces.

Pterigoplicht content in an aquarium: what should be considered?

Brocade catfish has earned special popularity among fans of aquarium fish due to the fact that, in fact, it is a fish cleaner. The content of this species itself is simple, it is enough to adhere to certain rules.

Aquarium dimensions
In its volume, the aquarium for keeping adult pterygoplychitis should be at least 300-400 liters. This is because only in such conditions and with a sufficient volume of water will the fish feel as comfortable as possible. Catfish activity increases closer to the night. In the wild during the daytime, they usually hide in bottom caves. Accordingly, this should be taken into account when organizing the habitat for your aquarium pets.

Important! The aquarium should be located in a room so that direct sunlight does not fall on it.

Aquarium water requirements
Water for the aquarium, intended for keeping brocade catfish, should be as close as possible to the usual fish in nature. That is, it should be not only pure, but also saturated with oxygen, with a moderate course. If an aquarium resident begins to stick his face out of the water and swallow a little air - this is a clear indicator of insufficient aeration. In this case, you will need to equip the aquarium with an additional external filter.

The water in the aquarium should not be too hard, with hydrogen indicators - 6.5-7.5, temperature parameters - + 24 ... + 30 ° С, water change is carried out weekly (no more than a quarter of the available volume). Some experts point out that water changes should be performed daily.

What you should know about vegetation and soil
As well as water, vegetation and soil should be as close to natural as possible - this will help all the inhabitants of the aquarium to feel good. As a substrate, it is better to use small pebbles (pebbles). All aquarium plants should have sufficiently long roots, well fixed with pebbles, otherwise the fish will simply pull them up and eat them.

The use of additional equipment
I would like to note that one of the main conditions for the correct maintenance of brocade catfish is the mandatory presence in the aquarium of such an element as ordinary driftwood. This is because fish need cellulose for proper digestion. To do this, a specially selected stick is placed in the aquarium, with which the catfish will subsequently scrap the growths.

Feeding pterygoplychitis

The diet of feeding pterygoplychitis is food of plant and animal origin (80:20 ratio). The practical application of these recommendations implies feeding the fish mainly green vegetables. Note that the lack of plant food in the diet of an aquarium pet often leads to the fact that over time, the fish destroys all the vegetation in the aquarium. As food of animal origin, products offered by specialized pet stores can be used (for example, bloodworms are excellent for this).

It is important to consider that feeding animal feed should also be complete. Otherwise, pterygoplychitis can begin to eat around the scales from the sides of slower and smaller neighbors in the aquarium. Since the activity of these fish increases at night, accordingly, their feeding should be carried out in the evening (preferably late in the evening, before turning off the light in the room at night).

What you need to know about content

Predatory inhabitants of the aquarium are not at all afraid of brocade catfish, as a rule, it simply ignores them. Natural and strong protection of the fish from any enemy - this is a reliable, armored case.

In general, aquarium catfish can be called good neighbors and loyal assistants to their owners.This is because how many years this fish lives - the same amount it helps to effectively clean the home aquarium. The average lifespan of pterygoplychitis is about fifteen years.

Propagation features: possibilities at home

Unfortunately, this type of fish cannot be propagated in an aquarium. The reason for this is the lack of necessary environmental conditions. As a rule, the artificial breeding procedure of this species is performed exclusively on special farms. Reproduction of these fish is a profitable and highly profitable business.

Characteristic for brocade catfish diseases

Pterigoplicht is a fish characterized by good immunity, which indicates its high resistance to many diseases that affect other aquarium inhabitants. The main problem of fish can be digestion problems due to lack of cellulose.

Video: aquarium fish brocade pterigoplicht