Boeseman rainbow - care and maintenance in the aquarium

The Boeseman rainbow is also called melanotenia; it appeared relatively long ago among other aquarium pets. The fish is characterized by activity and nondescriptness, until it reaches puberty. The fish grows up to 14 cm, so it is difficult not to notice it. Experienced aquarists know firsthand that a gray, nondescript fish can be turned into a bright individual. It is enough to adjust the nutrition, provide the cat with everything you need in the aquarium.

Description

1. Pisces of this family were described in 1980, since then the characteristics have not changed much. Prefers to settle in the water sources of Asian countries, it can be found in tributaries and lakes. Fish live in an aquatic environment that has many thickets, snags, foliage. Representatives of the family are found in marshy areas. In the natural environment it feeds on insects and plants.
2. Uninformed people should know that this aquatic pet is listed in the Red Book, because it is on the verge of extinction. Since the zone of natural habitat is constantly subjected to human intervention, fish are caught and slowly exterminated. To date, there are bans that apply to the export of aquatic inhabitants from the country and their catch.
3. According to their external data, fish are similar to the rest of the iris. They are famous for their small head, flattened in the sides of the body, high back. The fin above is cut into 2 sections, the fin in the anus is distinguished by length.
4. Representatives of the female half are smaller in size, elongate by only 10 cm. While males can reach a length of about 14 cm. When the fish grows to 8 cm, its color is stable, saturated with some pigment. As for the duration of existence, fish live under all conditions for 7 years.
5. If we consider gender differences, it will be difficult for an inexperienced person to understand what kind of gender is in front of his eyes. Moreover, even professional aquarists are sometimes confused. Males, upon reaching puberty, behave more aggressively, they have a high and powerful back, bright color. Females are dull, calm, proportionate. But when you buy fish, fry will not be able to catch the difference.

Content

1. If we start from the natural habitat, we can conclude that fish prefer a marshland with a large number of thickets that hide the water surface. They are not picky in their diet; they eat plants, insects, and crustaceans.
2. Representatives of the subspecies will feel great in aquarium conditions with stagnant water. That is, the use of instruments to simulate current rivers is excluded. First you need to prepare your home for settlement. To this end, they select soil, decorate the aquarium, plant vegetation, install filters, lamps and heaters. When the water stays a little, fish can be launched.
3. So that the iris can fully exist, select the optimal conditions for them. Everything needs to be done in such a way as to imitate the habitat. Since the fish are large-caliber, one flock has about 400 liters. water. Choose a vessel according to the parallelepiped format. Schooling fish, so they are immediately launched in the amount of 8 individuals.
4. Choose housing with a cover, because active inmates often jump out. As for the temperature, stick to indicators within 25 degrees. Hardness - 25 units, acid balance - 7.5 units. The soil is lined with sand. 1/3 of the water is drained weekly, replaced by a new one.
5. Such fish eat absolutely everything. They can be given fresh-frozen, dry, artificial and live food.If the food is poor-quality and unbalanced, the fish will have a pale color. That is why individuals are advised to diversify their diet. Give them plant and live food.
6. It is also allowed to give various vegetables and greens. Such products must be scalded in advance. Such individuals eat excellent food with spirulina, lettuce, nettle and spinach. Do not take exclusively food that drowns. These fish may have problems feeding from the bottom.
7. The favorite delicacy of the considered individuals is the tubule, artemia, bloodworm and daphnia. Also, melanotenia have excellent health. In addition, do not forget that with poor care, fish can get sick. If you see a poor condition of individuals, immediately bring the water readings back to normal.
8. The rest of these fish can be attributed to omnivores. In the wild, melanotenia feeds on what it takes. They eat various plants, insect larvae, fry and small crustaceans well. Under conditions in the aquarium, both live and artificial feed must be present.
9. Combining different types of feed is highly recommended. This procedure will maintain the brightness of the color of individuals. With live food, lettuce leaves or food, which are based on spirulina, must be given additionally.

Compatibility

1. Such representatives get along well with fish that have a similar temperament and size. In rare cases, melanotenia manifests itself on the aggressive side. At the same time, the fish remain quite active. In a sense, they can frighten other aquarium inhabitants with their behavior.
2. Keep in mind that the individuals in question can perceive fry or small fish for potential prey. In a spacious aquarium, melanotenia coexists well with Sumatran barbs, scalars, discus, demasoni, shark ball and botsiya. You can also hook up Amano's filtrates and shrimp.
3. In no case do not hook aggressive or large fish into the aquarium. Among these, cichlids, astronotuses, laboe-bicolors, and tetradons should be singled out separately.

Breeding

1. It is recommended to keep such fish during spawning in a separate container. In this case, an internal filter must be present in the aquarium. In addition, various algae with small leaves should be placed. There should be a lot of plants.
2. As an alternative, a ball of synthetic thread that looks like a washcloth is suitable. A couple before spawning is specially fed live food with the addition of vegetable. This procedure allows you to simulate the rainy season. It is during this period that abundant nutrition (diet) occurs in fish.
3. That is why it is necessary to purchase feed of the highest quality. Moving a couple to a separate aquarium for spawning should only be done when it is ready to spawn. After mating, the female throws eggs for several days.
4. Keep in mind that you must always follow the throwing of eggs. If its quantity decreases each time, then the female experiences exhaustion. After spawning, the pair should be divided for some time. As for the fry, they hatch in the light in a few days.

Melanotenia is considered unique fish. They are quite beautiful and have a peculiar character. Individuals need to ensure proper nutrition and good living conditions. Attach only similar individuals to fish in character and size. Otherwise, constant skirmishes are inevitable.

Video: aquarium fish Boeseman iris