Radiant diamond cichlazoma is a bright representative of aquarium American cichlids, the magnificent and unusual coloring of which leaves no one indifferent. The natural habitat of these fish are the rivers of Texas. Despite the fact that aquarium fish of the cichlzoma diamond type require a large capacity, they can often be seen in amateurs and professional breeders.
Description
In nature, the cichlisome diamond can reach a length of thirty centimeters, but in the aquarium, the size of the specimens rarely exceed 13-15 centimeters. The body of fish is colored brown-green or olive-colored, and along it and along the unpaired fins, small turquoise specks are scattered asymmetrically, which shimmer with shades of emerald, light-blue color. This camouflage color resembles a scattering of precious stones, which is reflected in the name of the diamond cichlasma. Male size is larger than females, and frontal hillock is more pronounced. When spawning occurs, the anal cusp in the male of the cichlazoma diamond is sharpened. In females, during the same period, the tubercle acquires the shape of a truncated pyramid. There are about four dozen species of cichlase, and the most common are cichlisoma black band , diamond short, diamond disk, eight-band and cichlazoma nandopsis.
Sexual maturity in fish is reached by the eleventh month of life. If we create ideal conditions for the cichlasma, it will live up to fifteen years.
Content
Contain these aquarium fish is not difficult. The main condition is a spacious dwelling, and for each pair of cichlases there must be at least 120 liters of water. Fish like to dig constantly the soil, so the water can be clouded. To avoid this, it is worth using a small dark pebble or granite chips. In addition, such a background is beneficial to offshoot the beauty of cichlases. At the bottom it is necessary to equip secluded places from stones and various snags so that the fish can hide there from each other. Grottoes, caves - this is the best landscape, corresponding to their natural habitat.
Plants in the aquarium with cichlazomas must be selected for hardy, strong and fast growing. These include vallisneria, large varieties of cryptocoryn, anubias and elodea. To the roots were not damaged by active inhabitants, plant the plants in pots, covered with stones.
Water parameters are wide enough: acidity 6-8,5 pH, rigidity 8-25 ° dH, temperature 25-27 degrees. Lighting in the aquarium should not be bright. Several fluorescent lamps with a total power of 0.5 W per 1 liter will suffice. Concerning filtration, it is better to use a biological filter. If you do not have it, then every week in the aquarium it will be necessary to substitute a third of the volume of water for a clean one. The additional artificial aeration of the reservoir will not interfere.
If the temperature in the aquarium is raised to 28-30 degrees, the spawning of the diamond cichlasma will be successful. For reproduction, both spawning and a common aquarium are suitable. The female lays about 200 eggs. After six days, there are
Compatibility
Compatibility of aquarium fish with cichlids is a difficult question. To foresee their behavior is almost impossible. Fighting. Frequent brawls in the struggle for territory are very common for cichlases, but if they grow from frying with other fish, and in the aquarium is spacious and there are many shelters, then peaceful coexistence is quite possible. The best neighbors for cichlids are catfishes . Living in one territory, these two species ignore each other.