Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae)

Tsihlazomy black stripes lives in lakes and streams, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Body tsihlazomy black stripes high, moderately elongate and laterally compressed. The head is large, large eyes, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. The body and fins tsihlazomy painted in gray-blue color. Across body are 8-9 black stripes that go on the dorsal and anal fins. Sex differences: the male - is larger and brighter than the female ends of the dorsal and anal fins are sharp and look like a spit, before spawning in the anal fin appear dark spots like caviar; the female posterior part of the belly of bronze color. There is an albino form chornosmugovoi tsihlazomy. In nature, the male grows to 15 cm, and 10 female cm captive less. Tsihlazomy chornosmugova peaceful fish. Aggression occurs only during spawning and caring for offspring. Couples are formed at the age of 3-4 months from a group of fish. Keep you can with most other cichlids, as well as various species of fish peacefully. Keeps tsihlazomy chornosmugova the middle and lower layers of water. Keep tsihlazom chornosmugovu can be in the general aquarium volume of 150 liters with plenty of hiding places (stones with horizontal and inclined surfaces, caves, vertically set stones for separation of the territory), sclerophyllous potted plants and floating plants. Water parameters: stiffness to 8-30 °, ph 6.8-8.0, temperature 19-29 ° C. The need for a strong filtration, aeration and weekly substitution of up to 30-35% of water. Tsihlazomy chornosmugova consumes live (bloodworm, koretra, Tubifex, shrimp, sea fish) and plant food, as well as substitutes. Prone to overeating. Spawning tsihlazomy chornosmugovoi can take place both in general and in a separate tank capacity of 50 liters. At the bottom you need to put a ceramic pot. Stimulates Spawning change 20% of the volume of water and rise in temperature at 2-3 ° C. The female lays about 300 eggs into the pot, where he cares for her. The male at this time guarding the surrounding area. The incubation period is 2 days. One day the young are already beginning to slowly drain out of the pot. Parents watching them and fry sailed gently take in the mouth and returned to the pack to the others. When the fry begin to swim well, the parents take them out for a walk. At the same time they are completely absorbed the yolk sac and must start feeding. Starter feed: small Cyclops. Fry grow very fast. At the age of four months, they are similar to their parents. Puberty tsihlazomy chornosmugova reaches the age of 7-10 months.

Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae).

Lives tsihlazomy rainbow in the rivers and lakes of Guatemala.

Body tsihlazomy rainbow moderately elongate and laterally compressed. The head is large, large eyes, the mouth end, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. Coating the fish can vary greatly: as a rule, the Chairman of red or crimson, brilliant yellow body, green, blue or red. The scales with a black border. On the caudal peduncle blurred black spot. The edges of the fins are transparent, blue, often with dark brown spots. Sex differences: the male dorsal and anal fins pointed, fat build-up on his forehead, before spawning, and you can see a small sharp simyaprovid; the female before spawning noticed a large, cone-shaped, blunt at the end of the ovipositor. Tsihlazomy rainbow in the nature of a length up to 25-30 cm, in the aquarium significantly less. Tsihlazomy rainbow territorial fish. Vapours formed in the younger age group of fishes. Keep you can with most other cichlids, as well as different types of fish (most importantly, that there is enough space for all the fish). Keeps tsihlazomy rainbow in the middle and lower layers of water. Keep tsihlazom rainbow can be in the general aquarium (mainly) of a volume of 200 liters with plenty of hiding places (stones with horizontal and inclined surfaces, caves, vertically set stones for separation of the territory), sclerophyllous potted plants and floating plants. Water parameters: stiffness to 8-20 °, ph 6.5-8.5, temperature 24-30 ° C. The water must be clean, because dirty fish begins to develop inflammation of the skin in the form of brown growths on the body. Therefore, a strong filtration, aeration and weekly substitution of up to 30-35% of water. Tsihlazomy rainbow consumes food: a living (80%) (bloodworm, koretra, Tubifex, shrimp, sea fish) and flora, as well as substitutes. Spawning tsihlazomy rainbow can take place both in general and in a separate tank. Stimulate spawning replacement of water (up to 2 volumes per week) and the rise of temperature on 1-2 ° C. The female lays up to 500 eggs on an inclined surface (stone slab), especially if it is covered from the top. The incubation period is 2-6 days. Hatched larvae are transferred to the parents dug pits, and when the fry in 3-7 days start to swim and eat, protect them. Starter feed: live dust, Cyclops nauplii, nematodes. Fry tsihlazomy rainbow in stressful situations (transplantation, fear, excess water changes etc.). Behave like a dying fish, swim or choppy spiral, fall down on his side, then it passes. Puberty tsihlazomy rainbow reaches the age of 1.5-2 years.

The family of cichlids (Cichlidae).

Tsihlazomy Diamond (tsihlazomy pearl) lives in Central America, in the basin of the Rio Grande.

Tsihlazomy diamond is elongate and laterally flattened body, the back is high. The line of the forehead rises steeply upwards, and with age more and more bent and appears fat pad. The eyes are large, the final mouth, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. The main body color from dark brown to olive, with strewn all over the body and fins of fish numerous light blue or green spots. During the period of care for the offspring of the chest and abdomen tsihlazomy pearl colored black. Sex differences: the male shortly before spawning can be seen in his small and sharp vas deferens; the female large, cone-shaped, blunt at the end of the ovipositor. The length tsihlazomy diamond grows to 15 cm. Tsihlazomy Diamond territorial fish, creates a couple of groups of fish even at a young age. Hold the middle and lower layers of water. Males are aggressive with respect to each other, but co-exist with other large fish species. To keep tsihlazomy brilliant aquarium needs a volume of 100 liters with different shelter (driftwood, rocks with horizontal ramps, caves, vertically set stones for separation of the territory) and floating plants. Water parameters for the right content tsihlazomy brilliant: the rigidity of 6-30 °, pH 6.5-8.0, temperature 22 - 26 ° C. This fish is different fast metabolism, so the need for a strong filter (preferably a biological filter), aeration and weekly substitution of up to 30% volume of water. Tsihlazomy Diamond uses a live, frozen vegetable and food, as well as substitutes. In the wild feeds on insects, crustaceans, snails, small fish, algae. Feed tsihlazom need often, but in small quantities, because it is prone to overeating. Spawning tsihlazomy diamond can take place in general or in the spawning tank capacity of 80 liters, with large stones, ceramic pots (they are substrates). The parameters of water for breeding pearl tsihlazomy: stiffness 6-25 °, pH 6.5-7.5, temperature 24 - 28 ° C. Spawning stimulate replacement of water (2 times a week) and a rise in temperature of 1-2 ° C. The female lays up to 1,500 eggs . Sometimes there are cases of eating eggs, in this case the male is deposited or transferred from the substrate to the incubator caviar. The incubation period is 2-6 days, and then the parents carry larvae dug pits. In 3-7 hours the fry begin to swim and eat, their parents guard. Starter feed: live dust, Cyclops nauplii, nematodes. Puberty tsihlazomy Diamond (tsihlazomy pearl) reaches 12-16 months.

The family of cichlids (Cichlidae).

Tsihlazomy Barton resides in the source lakes and streams in Central America. This species is listed as endangered.

Tsihlazomy Barton is elongate and flattened on the sides of the body. The head is large, large eyes with a golden iris, mouth end, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. Male painted in gray-green color, it is steeper forehead. On the body along the lateral line and on the caudal peduncle scattered fuzzy black spots. The mating season is painted in yellow-brown color with a green tint. A female forehead and upper part (1/3 of the body) of the body silvery white, and the lower black velvet. During spawning, the whole body is black, the male can be seen a small and sharp vas deferens, in female big conical, blunt at the end, the ovipositor. Females are much smaller than the male. In vivo tsihlazomy Burton grows up to 25 cm, in the aquarium significantly less. Tsihlazomy Barton territorial fish, creates a pair at a young age. They occupy an area with a diameter of about 30 cm. Constantly digging in the ground, can pull up plants. Hold the middle and lower layers of water. To keep tsihlazomy Barton needs aquarium volume of 150 liters with the various shelters of stones (stones are placed both horizontally and obliquely, vertically set stones are used for the separation of the territory), driftwood and ceramic pots. Plants are best taken with a floating or a strong root system and well anchored in the soil. Water parameters for the right content tsihlazomy Barton: stiffness of 9-20 °, pH 7.0-8.0, temperature 24 - 28 ° C are necessary filtration, aeration and weekly substitution of up to 20-25% of water. Tsihlazomy Burton uses a live, frozen, vegetable and feed substitutes. In the wild feeds on insects, crustaceans, snails, small fish, algae. Prone to overeating, so you need to feed tsihlazom often but in small portions. Otherwise, it can lead to bowel disease (characterized by rapid breathing and pragnennyaya retire). Treat Trichopolum, 1 tablet per 20-25 liters of water. If the condition does not improve, then repeat the treatment after 2-3 days. Spawning tsihlazomy Burton can take place both in general and in the spawning tank capacity of 80 liters, with large stones, ceramic pots (there substramy). The parameters of water for breeding tsihlazomy Barton: stiffness of 15-35 °, pH 7.5-8.0, temperature 28 - 31 ° C. Spawning stimulate the replacement of water (2 times a week) and a rise in temperature of 1-2 ° C. The female lays from Barton tsihlazomy 200 to 500 eggs. The incubation period is 50-72 hours. After 2-6 days the parents carry larvae dug pits. In 3-7 hours the fry begin to swim and eat, the parents all the time guarding them. Starter feed: Artemia nauplii. Puberty tsihlazomy Barton reaches 10-12 months (males with a length of 9-10 cm, females less than 2-3 cm).

Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae).

Homeland tsihlazomy emerald Amazon Basin. Lives fish in the calm shallow rivers and lakes with plenty of natural shelter.

In tsihlazomy emerald slightly elongate and laterally compressed body. The line of the forehead rises steeply upwards and adults - with a high back. The head is large, large eyes, thick lips. The body color varies depending on the place of origin and health fish. As a rule, it is brownish-green with reddish or golden luster, which is the lower half of the body, on the chest, head and along the base of the caudal fin becomes dark red color. From the eyes and the little spots on top of the base of the caudal fin is a dark streak that may disappear. In the middle of the body is placed a large black spot. Sometimes, on the sides and on the head are not clear lateral stripes. Fins hawk wine-red color. Dorsal with dark borders, caudal fin with dark horizontal stripes. Sex differences: the male more fatty bump on his forehead more than the female, dorsal and anal fins elongated. In vivo tsihlazomy emerald reaches a length of up to 30 cm in captivity up to 20 cm. Tsihlazomy emerald peaceful fish. Aggression can manifest during spawning and caring for offspring. When frightened quickly falls into a state of shock (it becomes red-brown with scattered yellow spots on the body): clenching fins, she lies on her side, resembling the leaves fell into the water (this is regardless of the size and age of the fish). Tsihlazomy should get along well with similar in temperament and size of other cichlids, catfish, as well as with various types of fast-swimming fish (eg melanotenii) to help remove the fish stress. Keep tsihlazom emerald can be in the general aquarium volume of 200 liters with different shelter (driftwood, mounds of stones), and thickets of plants (best suited zhestkolistnye potted plants). Water parameters: stiffness to 5-20 °, ph 6.5-7.5, temperature 25-30 ° C. The continuous filtration and aeration and weekly substitution of up to 25% of water. Tsihlazomy emerald consume any live feed (Daphne koretra, bloodworms, Tubifex, various insects: cockroaches, flies, etc..), Vegetable and substitutes. If a full and varied diet, as well as a quiet (no stress) the existence of Hyles quickly gets used to the new place and grows well. Spawning tsihlazomy emerald can take place in the general aquarium. The stimulus is the temperature increase and gradual addition of water to 40% distilled water. The pair formed chooses any stone or ceramic pot, starts digging near the soil and protect this place. The female moves slowly over the substrate, and lays 8 - 10 eggs, and the male fertilizes them. Depending on the age of the manufacturers performance may vary from 200 to 600 eggs. During the spawning season, which lasts about one and a half hours, the fish can not be bothered. It is desirable at this time the walls hang a cloth or paper. Should tsihlazomy very caring parents, they are actively caring for the eggs and fry growing up. After completion of spawning masonry is mostly female and the male guards the surrounding area. The incubation period is 72 hours. Hatched larvae parents carry in your mouth on the inside bottom of the pot or in a pit dug by the male in shelters. In the future, they are constantly guarding fry and are walking them in the aquarium. For the night, and if the parents are frightened by something, they are driving their offspring to the shelter or pit and hang over them. Starter feed: "living dust", Cyclops nauplii and brine shrimp. Coloration varies fry as in adult fish, from the dark with yellow spots in pink-beige with a longitudinal black stripe. Malkov is deposited from the aquarium when they reach a centimeter in length, and if the parents are again ready to spawning. Puberty tsihlazomy must reach the age of 14-18 months at a length of 10 - 15 centimeters.

Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae).

Hemihromis golden lives in lakes, rivers, irrigation ditches and small ponds in West Africa. In Europe, the first fish was introduced in 1905 in the USSR in 1961

In hemihromisa golden elongate and laterally compressed body. The lines of the back and belly are equally bent. The forehead is steep, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long, the tail - fan-shaped. The back is olive, the sides are yellowish green sheen, the belly dirty white to yellow. On the gill cover green-blue spot on the sides - four round dark spots. The fins are greenish-yellow. During spawning the body becomes saturated hemihromisa golden sheen, the belly becomes reddish. Sex differences: the male is larger and slimmer females. In nature hemihromis gold reaches 30 cm, in the aquarium of not more than 12-15 cm. Life expectancy of about 10 years. Hemihromis golden aggressive and territorial fish. In a small aquarium among individuals having frequent clashes in which the fish cause serious damage to each other. Hemihromis gold gets along well with similar-sized fish (barbs, cichlids). It is advisable to keep a group of the aquarium fish of 4-6 individuals. Keeps hemihromis in the middle and lower layers of water. Hemihromisa gold should be kept in an aquarium of 120 liters with different shelter (driftwood, buildings of large stones, caves as a shelter, flat stones) and securely fastened sclerophyllous plants. Parameters water content hemihromisa golden: the rigidity of up to 20 °, pH 6.8-7.5, temperature 22-26 ° C is required filtration, aeration and weekly water changes of 25% of the volume. Hemihromis golden and consume live food substitutes. Spawning hemihromisa golden doubles (best pair formed of the young), takes place in the same aquarium, which contains fish. The parameters of water for breeding: stiffness up to 20 °, pH 6.5-7.5, temperature 25-28 ° C. The female lays up to 500 eggs. The eggs usually lay on a flat rock. When caring for eggs and offspring of fish are very aggressive. The incubation period is 2-5 days, and then transferred to fry parents in pre-dug pit. Fry begin to swim in 4-6 days. Parents are actively caring for the fry, collect them in a flock, and feed, rubbing them a big feed. Starter feed: live dust, Artemia nauplii. If the fry hatched golden hemihromisa in the general aquarium (not species) after some time, it is desirable to transplant them in a separate tank (because the parents are not always able to protect the fry from other fish). Puberty hemihromis gold reaches the age of 12-15 months.

Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae).

Tsihlazomy severum inhabits the waters of the northern part of South America, with the exception of Mr .. Magdalena.

In tsihlazomy severum high, slightly elongated and strongly laterally compressed body. The body shape of the fish depends on the configuration of the aquarium: in high and narrow is more discoid, a wide and low - stretched. The head is large, large eyes with red iris, the final mouth, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. Painting tsihlazomy severum varies depending on the property, mostly greenish-brown range from yellowish-green to dark brown. All the flakes have a yellow, pink or reddish-brown spots forming on the sides of the series of dotted lines. In young animals are placed on the sides 8-9 black transverse stripes, which disappear with age. At the base of the soft-ray of dorsal and anal fin has the dark round spots with light border. The front part of the anal fin a reddish-brown back - olive-green. The rest of the unpaired fins greenish-yellow. Sex differences: the male has a greenish color, blue or reddish-brown spots and strokes, the female strip on the head just visible; before spawning the male is seen small and sharp simyaprovid, the female - large, conical, blunt at the end, the ovipositor. In nature tsihlazomy severum length reaches 20 cm, in the aquarium with good content grows up to 15 cm. Tsihlazomy severum peaceful, territorial fish, just be aggressive during spawning and caring for offspring. Couples are formed from a group of young individuals. Tsihlazom can be kept in a community tank with other cichlids. Keeps Discus false in the middle and lower layers of water. To maintain the aquarium needs tsihlazomy severum capacity from 200 liters to various shelters (driftwood, stone structures with horizontal and inclined surfaces, caves, vertically set stones for separation of the territory) and sclerophyllous plants in pots. Water parameters for optimum content tsihlazomy severum: stiffness of up to 15 °, ph 6.5-7.0, temperature 22-24 ° C tsihlazomy severum different fast metabolism, so need a strong filtering (desired biological filter), aeration and weekly substitution of up to 30% of the volume water. Tsihlazomy severum consumes feed: live (including worms and small fish) and flora, as well as substitutes. Cats can be trained to take food out of the hands, and even to give to stroke. For breeding tsihlazomy severum can use both general and spawning aquarium length of 100 cm, with sandy soil and obliquely placed large flat stones. Before spawning, fish feed should diversify. Stimulate spawning frequent replacement of water and a rise in temperature to 26-30 ° C. The female lays from 300 to 1000 eggs on a rock or flower pot. Parents are actively caring for the offspring. The incubation period at 27-30 ° C lasts for 3-8 days, and after 4-7 days the fry begins to swim and eat. Starter feed: rotifers, Artemia nauplii and Cyclops. Some couples the first days of feeding their young skin secret that stands out on the sides. If the spawning takes place in the general aquarium, and there is an excess of females, they may form a pair, in which the role played by the male one of them. Such a pair spawn, and then eat it. Puberty tsihlazomy severum reaches the age of 1.5-2 years

Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae).

Housing tsihlazomy mew - Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

In tsihlazomy bluish elongate and flattened laterally body back high. The line of the forehead rises steeply with age in males appears fat pad. The eyes are large, the final mouth, thick lips. The body color varies greatly and depends on the degree of irritation fish. Chairman and backrest in male dark gray belly - olive green. All scales on the body with a large tsihlazomy bluish greenish-blue sheen. On the sides of 8 dark transverse stripes, which disappear with age, and the whole body is painted in green with a blue tinge. Gill cover - green, shiny. The dorsal and anal fins are long with pointed ends, greenish-blue color with a touch of smoky and narrow dark gray border around the edge. Caudal fin rounded, green with gray piping. Pelvic fins are elongated, green, December - smoky. The female is much less tsihlazomy bluish colored male and paler. Transverse stripes in females is the same as the male, but during the spawning season are black and distinct. Fins female short and rounded at the ends. The main decoration of the female tsihlazomy bluish - a large round black spot in the center of the dorsal fin, bordered by bright blue wide shiny stripe. The length tsihlazomy spilurum grows up to 10 cm. Tsihlazomy sizaya aggressive and territorial fish, so it is better to keep the species in the aquarium. Males often fight each other because of the females. Keeps tsihlazomy blue-gray in the middle and lower layers of water. To keep tsihlazomy bluish need an aquarium of 150 liters in volume with a variety of shelters (driftwood, stone structures with horizontal ramps, caves, vertically set stones for separation of the territory) and sclerophyllous potted plants (bushes enough pairs Echinodorus or Cryptocoryne). Water parameters for optimum content tsihlazomy spilurum: stiffness of up to 15 °, ph 6.5-7.0, temperature 23-25 ​​° C is required filtration, aeration and weekly substitution of up to 25% of water. Tsihlazomy blue-gray very resistant to diseases and with good care for a long time living. Tsihlazomy sizaya eats live food (bloodworms, large Daphnia, small fish) and substitutes. Breeding tsihlazom sizuyu difficult, important to choose the right fit. If the male and female begin to fight each other, you should immediately relocate the female, and after a while the other plant, and so as long as the pair is not formed. Producers should be well before spawning fed live food. Tank should be 50-80 liters volume with the water level of 30-40 cm. As soil washed well take coarse sand. In a shaded corner of the tank put a flower pot, but in the opposite it (around the atomizer air and heater) put a large shrub or Echinodorus Cryptocoryne. For spawning tsihlazomy bluish suitable tap water, let stand for 2 weeks: the stiffness from 6 to 15o, pH 6.8 - 7.2, the temperature was raised to 28 o C Lighting scattered. Spawning begins in the morning. The female swims into the pot, turns belly up, 3-5 eggs sticks to the inner surface of the pot. Since it should pot in the same inverted position, and then receives normal. At this point, a man, too, turns belly up and fertilizes the eggs. This is repeated many times. Spawning lasts about 3:00. The female lays 150-200 eggs. After the end of the spawning parents begin to take care of the eggs. They alternately swim in the pot and fan caviar fins. After 6-8 hours, the fish start to choose mouth dead eggs. Sometimes a man begins to chase and beat female. That she did not die, it is necessary to transplant from spawning. When caring for caviar producers can not be bothered (much to cover the aquarium, pounding scare), or they can eat eggs. After 2 days of large eggs hatch into larvae, which initially hang on the walls of the pot, and then fall in the sand and gathered into a pile, shaking his tail. On day 6, the larvae turn to fry with a big head and a small tail. Parents dig in the sand pit, and 2-3 small fry mouth pulls in one direction and then in another hole. When the fry begin to swim out of the pit, and gathered in a flock, swim next to the parents they need to start feeding. Starter feed: "living dust" (within the first 2-3 days), then give a small cyclops and daphnia (feed should be in a tank permanently). Parents fed bloodworms. After 2 weeks of their otsazhivayut fry. Usually 15-20 days manufacturers are again ready to spawn. If the manufacturers rather than to care for her eggs began to have a pot of caviar is removed from the tank and placed in glass jars 8-10l. Along with a pot put air spray, which enriches the water with oxygen and carries water circulation in calves. When the larvae hatch, they shake the pot from the wall to the bottom of the banks, clean pot, choose the dead eggs and obscure bank. After 6 days, the fry begin to feed, and a week later transplanted into a spacious aquarium. Puberty tsihlazomy sizaya reaches the age of 8-12 months.

Family: Cichlids (Cichlidae).

Homeland tsihlazomy Sedzhika Central America from the south of Costa Rica in the north-west Colombia. Living in the calm shallow rivers with plenty of natural shelter.

In tsihlazomy Sedzhika high, slightly elongate and laterally compressed body. The head is large, big blue eyes, thick lips. Male painted in gray-brown, darker back, stomach and chest light. Parties with a golden or bluish sheen and 7-9 dark transverse stripes, of which the one that is placed in the middle, always visible, and manifest themselves in the past, depending on the mood and condition of the fish. The fins and tail lilac in the age of sexual maturity dorsal and anal fins are extended and exacerbated in the "Spit", reaching the end of a rounded tail. Male tsihlazomy Sedzhika a fat lump on his forehead, which increases during the spawning season. Vas deferens male pointed, it has a narrow pyramidal shape and slightly inclined to the tail light. The female is colored gray-brown with a turquoise tint in the goiter and the dorsal fin. Fins females yellow back - with a black border. Vertical stripes on the body of the female visible (especially during spawning season), and the middle band is brighter, and the other goes to the top of the dorsal fin. The ovipositor of the female spherical, slightly elongated, pale, with a dark edge. Sex differences in tsihlazomy Sedzhika appear at 8-11 months of age, and then begin to form pairs, gradually standing out from the pack. The pair almost always inseparable. In nature, the male tsihlazomy Sedzhika reaches a length of 12-15 cm, the female 6-9 cm. In large aquariums and varied diet with the right male can grow to 10-13 cm, female to 5-8 cm. Tsihlazomy Sedzhika territorial fish. Vidivivshis a place, a pair of the selected area to protect the aquarium from the encroachment of neighbors, even several times their size. When attacking, they do not pursue a stranger, but only protected. The couple does not attack on foreign territory, and does not try to kill other people, as do many American cichlids. Couple protected together, first scaring off the enemy successive jerks forward. If the opponent does not sail, they begin to strike the sides and belly of the aggressor, with an effort to take a position just below the opponent. It will continue as long as chase the intruder. Hold tsihlazom Sedzhika possible with most other cichlid, as well as various kinds of fish that can be significantly larger or smaller. The main condition is that the aquarium was a large amount. Keeps tsihlazomy Sedzhika the middle and lower layers of water. Keep tsihlazom Sedzhika can be in the general aquarium volume of 200 liters with different shelter (driftwood, mounds of stones) and sclerophyllous potted plants (bushes enough pairs Echinodorus or Cryptocoryne). Water parameters for optimum content tsihlazomy Sedzhika: stiffness to 9-20 °, ph 6.8-7.8, temperature 22-28 ° C is required filtration, aeration and weekly substitution of up to 25% of water. Tsihlazomy Sedzhika easily able to withstand sudden changes in temperature and composition of the water (in the range compatible with life), is resistant to transportation. Tsihlazomy Sedzhika consumes a live feed with vegetable and substitutes. Spawning tsihlazomy Sedzhika can take place both in general and in a separate tank. Manufacturers with a clean place, where the eggs will be delayed, endure in the mouth of hiding all the pebbles and grains of sand to dig a pit jack to the bottom of the aquarium. Then the female is more often in the shelter, and the male constantly guarding the surrounding area. Spawning begins early in the morning. The female lays within pocket 100 to 400 eggs of pale orange, almost gray color is about 1 mm in diameter, and the male fertilizes them. Since then, the female leaves the nest only to eat quickly and return. The male guards the nest always, and no inhabitant of the aquarium will not be able to encroach on the territory of a pair. The female constantly fans the eggs and cleans the inside of the nest. The incubation period is 3-4 days. From eggs hatch into larvae the size of 3-4 mm with a large yolk sac, which is limited to 4 days. At this time you need to start feeding them live brine shrimp. The next day, the parents first brought the children for a walk. First, near the nest, later on and on until the fry show the entire aquarium. If juveniles are recognized by the group, parents collect them in your mouth and spit into the pack. Parents leave the fry only during feeding and then in turn. After 2 weeks, the attention of parents is weakened, and the fry becomes smaller. If parents lose all fry very early, a man in a few days will haunt the female around the tank. Then again be calm and in a couple of weeks once spawning. To save the fry can be taken away from their parents from the general aquarium, just putting them drain hose. In this case, it is necessary to leave some fry parents, or the man strongly drive female. Pick up the best fry for 5-6 day (if you get the maximum number) and is deposited them in a container of 30 liters without a primer. Water should be from the general aquarium. Starter feed - live brine shrimp to feed 3-4 times a day to 1.5-2 months. After the first month should be transplanted fingerlings into the tank volume of 50 liters. At this time, it is necessary to vary the feed spirulina and lower feeding frequency of 2-3 times per day. The fry are very voracious and growing very rapidly, turning from transparent "com" in striped fish. By the end of 3 months the fry become gray, but the strips are not yet lost. Further, they are transplanted into the vessel of 100 liters. The diet should add the shrimp, Artemia stop giving and start accustomed to adult food. Puberty tsihlazomy Sedzhika reaches the age of 8-12 months

The family of cichlids (Cichlidae).

Homeland cichlids, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna Africa is - rocky, overgrown with seaweed shore of Lake Malawi. These areas are rich in oxygen through the waves constantly breaking on the rocks. In our aquariums has appeared only in the 70s, despite the fact that one of the "old" African cichlids.

Cichlids, the tapir has a high, elongate, flattened laterally body. A distinctive feature of this fish is the shape of the nose, reminiscent of the short trunk tapir (hence the name). On a large head placed big eyes. The mouth and teeth are arranged in such a way that allow the fish to easily scrape algae narosli on the rocks. The dorsal and anal fins are pointed. Back - long, extending from the back of the head and to the base of the caudal peduncle. The body color has several color forms (where males and females are different from each other): yellow with brown spots, blue with glitter, purple, orange-red and silver-sand with brown, black and red spots. Under natural conditions, you'll find most: males - blue with blue cross bars 10-12, the dorsal fin they have a light blue at the back of the red-orange, brick red anal fin with white-and-black border and yellow spots. Females in the wild yellow or light blue with coffee spots. In the aquarium males can reach a length of 15 cm, females up to 13 cm. Cichlid, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna territorial, relatively peaceful fish. You can hold in flocks with a predominance of females (3: 1), to take better neighbors Malawi cichlids. Living in the middle and lower layers of water. Keeping cichlids, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna not difficult, because this fish is unpretentious and endurance. Need aquarium with bright lighting (fluorescent lamps), a volume of 150 liters (25 liters per individual) with sandy soil and various shelters: cracks and caves of the rocks, and it is important that the shelter located over the entire height of the aquarium (for fouling algae). In an aquarium with these fishes is better to use plants: some species rotalu, Java moss (1 time per week it should be washed), gigrofilu, tseratopteris fern, Echinodorus, mikrozorium, eel and Ludwig. Water parameters for the correct content of cichlids, tapir: the rigidity of 8-15 °, pH 7.5-8.5 (not less than 7.0), the temperature 24 - 27 ° C Recommended filtration, strong aeration (demanding the oxygen content in the water), and the substitution of up to 25% volume of water (2 times a week). The dirty water can get sick with dropsy. If you feel unwell fish added to the water or sea salt (60-80 grams per 100 liters), at least 5-6 teaspoons of baking soda. The main food for cichlids, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna plant (not less than 90%). Use it as animal feed and substitutes. You can make a mixture of sweet peppers, lettuce, spinach, dandelion and other plants with the addition of a live (earthworms, larvae and nymphs of aquatic insects, fleas, and make minced squid or beef heart). But we should not forget that from a very high-calorie food fish may become ill. First, there are long blonde excrement that long dangling from the anus and then inflated fish, refuse to eat, go to the bottom and will soon die. To help them must be dissolved in water, metronidazole (0.25 g. 50 L water). This filter should be disabled, and to strengthen aeration. On day 5, change the water in the tank (50%) and again in the same proportion added medications. Fish transferred to a strict vegetarian diet. Also prophylactically can 1 time per month to give the fish feed with metronidazole (0.7 g drug per 100 g of food). cichlids, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna spawns in the general aquarium. The stimulus is the increase in temperature. The parameters of water for spawning: the rigidity 10-15 °, pH 7.2-7.5, temperature 25 - 28 ° C. The eggs the female lays, or on a flat stone or a hole dug in advance male or just on the ground. Every time she lays 1-3 eggs, and then takes them in his mouth and swims to the anal fin of the male to fertilize them. Capacity from 30 to 80 eggs. The female bears eggs in the mouth for 19-20 days. At this time, she is very shy (when frightened can swallow offspring), and it must be protected from all kinds of stress. Furthermore, it can not take food and Slabko greatly, and this may lead to death. Therefore, many aquarists strive to grow the eggs in an incubator. To do this, take vidnerestilasya female and the eggs are removed from the mouth. Place them in a container of clean water, soft lighting, a strong current (eggs should roll), and the same parameters as the water in the aquarium. It is necessary to treat the eggs with a weak solution of methylene blue. Starter feed for fry - small cyclops. Crossbreed cichlids, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna with labeotropheus usual. Puberty cichlids, tapir, labeotropheus Fuelleborna reach the age of 8-12 months.

The family of cichlids (Cichlidae).

Etroplyus spotted lives in brackish and fresh waters of South-East Asia, on the southern coast of India and Sri Lanka.

Etroplyus spotted a tall, very flattened on the sides of the body. Chairman and gill covers without scales. Mouth terminal. The dorsal and anal fins are low and long. The backrest may be colored in blue, and in olive brown (to black) color. Parties shiny meet lemon yellow, gray and purple, bluish and yellowish. Belly tawny red. Lips blue. At the end of the snout, eye and gill cover scattered small shiny green and blue dots. Each flake has a red spot, which creates a series of body broken lines. In the middle of the trunk black spot, sometimes with a greenish sheen on the sides of her scattered dark spots. In the lower part of the body can appear black and blue bands of varying intensity, sometimes coalesce. The fins are transparent with orange trim, spiny part of the anal fin black. During spawning fins are yellow-orange, the anal fin - a rich black. Sex differences: the male is larger and more brightly colored than the female. The length etroplyus spotted reaches 8 cm. Etroplyus spotted peaceful fish, only during the spawning period and care for offspring shows aggression. Fish are very sensitive to the transplants in the water of different composition (the fry do not tolerate it). Hold the middle and lower layers of water. Keep etroplyusa can be spotted in pairs, both in general and in the specific aquarium. This requires a tank capacity of 100 liters with thickets of plants and various shelters: snags, caves, flat stones. Water parameters for optimum content etroplyusa spotted: the rigidity of 8-20 °, ph 7-8, temperature 22-26 ° c. Necessary filtering, aeration and weekly substitution of up to 20-25% of water. Fish are sensitive to certain parasitic diseases, especially to ich. Therefore it is recommended to increase the resilience of fish in the water sea salt 3-6 g per 1 liter of water. Etroplyus spotted uses lively and plant food. Spawning in etroplyusa spotted the pair and can take place in the general aquarium. Spawning takes a length of 50 cm, with a cave, flat stones, restaurants and plants with large leaves. The spawning is stimulated by the addition of 1/4 volume of fresh water. The parameters of water for breeding etroplyusa spotted: stiffness 6-18 °, ph 7-8, temperature 26-28 ° c. A pair of first clears the selected substrate, and then the female lays eggs. Capacity up to 500 eggs. The incubation period is 2-6 days. Swim and eat the fry begin within 3-5 days. In the early days they feed on epithelial secret that stands out on the skin of the parents. On the second day fry can be given ciliates. If you are fighting a fish, the male immediately to transplant. Sexual maturity is reached etroplyus spotted at the age of 10-12 months.

The family of cichlids (Cichlidae).

Melanohromis Chipoka lives in Africa, rocky coastal area of ​​Lake Malawi.

In melanohromisa Chipoka extended long body and relatively flat sides. Big eyes, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. The male melanohromisa Chipoka painted in violet-blue with light blue longitudinal stripe that runs from the edge of the gill cover to the caudal end of the stem. The dorsal fin is light blue, black and blue tail with a yellow border. Anal fin dark blue with white trim and 2-3 small rounded sand-yellow spots that resemble eggs. Females as young individuals, painted in yellow or greenish-yellow with two horizontal black stripes on the body and one stripe on the dorsal fin. The dorsal and anal fins in her yellow, with dark dorsal border. Caudal fin dark color with yellow trim. At length male melanohromisa Chipoka reaches 14 cm, females slightly less.

Melanohromis Chipoka unpretentious, mirolyubna and territorial fish (the shortage of space). Keep need a group with a predominance of females (1 male put 3 to 8 females). Melanohromis Chipoka best to get along with African cichlids.

To keep melanohromisa Chypoka required aquarium of 150 liters with different shelters of stone, shell and cherep'ya. And the number of shelters must be greater than the number of bits females. The plants are suitable only sclerophyllous species (Vallisneria, kushyr). Lighting is better to make the aquarium combination: incandescent and fluorescent. Parameters for optimum water retention melanohromisa Chipoka: water hardness 8-20 °, pH 7.2-8.5, temperature 25-27 ° C. Desired aeration, filtration and weekly substitution to 25% of the water.

Melanohromis Chipoka eats vegetable food (60%), lettuce, cabbage, sweet red pepper, nettle, black bread (with vitamin deficiency he added vitamins, balls and rolled in this form are fed fish); animal (40%) daphnia and cyclops (provide a bright colored fish) koretra; as well as dry and frozen foods («Tetraminpro», «Tetra Cichlid», series «Tetradelica», «Neon Daphnia», «Neon Cichlid Mix», «Neon Artemia» and others.).

Spawning in melanohromisa Chipoka doubles and held in secret at night. 1 day before spawning females appears unobtrusive ovipositor. The female lays up to 60 eggs and hatched eggs in the mouth for about 3 weeks. After spawning female vidsadyty preferably 20 liter tank with filtration systems, aeration and water temperature 26-28 ° C. To prevent the water added methylene blue. During the incubation period the female much thinner and her head appears very high because of increased guttural pouch. At this time she is very shy, so it disturb as little as possible, otherwise it can swallow eggs. To protect offspring some aquarists artificially incubated eggs. To do this 7 days after spawning female caught with vidsadnyka and, opening her mouth, gently shakes the eggs in an incubator capacity of 5-20 liters. It is better not to press the throat sac, not to crush the eggs. Molod begin to feed after complete resorption of the yolk sac. Starter feed: small plankton.

A month after the first spawning female is again ready for spawning.

Puberty melanohromis Chipoka is 8-10 months.

Family: cichlids (Cichlidae)

Nannakara green living in the north of South America.

In nannakary green slightly elongated and laterally compressed body, the profile of the back and abdomen slightly curved. The dorsal fin is long. Males can be distinguished from females by the shape of fins (the male end of the anal and dorsal fins pointed, rounded in females) and colors. The color of the male nannakary: the main body color green, back darker (brownish green), chest and abdomen orange. Sometimes it turns dark longitudinal sides of the strip. On the scales are dark dots that create a pattern of longitudinal stripes, interrupted. The color of fins may be varied. The most characteristic: the dorsal fin greenish-blue, blood-red fringed with a milky-white strip under the border. Caudal and anal fins are pale orange, purple on the tips. The main body color female nannakary green - yellowish-brown, drawing the sides such as the male point on scales golden brown. During the care of offspring picture appears on the side with two dark brown longitudinal stripes, transverse intersecting 6-8. The male nannakary green in length up to 8 cm, females up to 6 cm.

Nannakara peaceful and tranquil green fish that shows aggression only during spawning. You can keep a couple of fish in the general aquarium with small moving fish flock with family haratsynovyh. In a large aquarium can keep one male and several females, but not males, two, because one of them will always be on the territory of females peresliduvatymetsya them and, eventually, will be killed. Nannakara Green digs the soil and does not touch the plant. Lives in the middle and lower layers of water.

Keep nannakaru need a green tank capacity of 70 liters with different shelters (such as convulsions, smooth stone structure of them, cave), thickets of plants and space for swimming. The bottom is covered with fine gravel (2-5 mm). Parameters for optimum water retention nannakary green: hardness 5-20 °, pH 6.0 - 7.5, temperature 22-26 ° C. Required filtration, aeration and weekly substitution to 25% of the water.

Nannakara green consume live food (cyclops, daphnia, mosquito larvae) and substitutes.

Spawning nannakary green can pass both in general and in the spawning aquarium and a length of 60 cm. Of water to dilute options: hardness up to 10 °, pH 6.0 - 7.0, temperature 24-27 ° C. Spawning doubles. The female lays on a rock or in a cave from 50 to 300 eggs, which the male fertilizes. Since then, the female begins to care for caviar, fans of fins and becomes extremely aggressive. When a radius of 25 cm or other fish male female can kill them. So if a small amount of aquarium and males from females nowhere to hide it necessary vidsadyty. The incubation period is 2-3 days. Larvae that hatched, the female carries a pre-dug hole. After another 5-7 days fry begin to swim and eat, and the female lead them under his protection in the aquarium. In the large aquarium is that the male also involved in the care of the flock, and in battles with the female for the right care, in most cases, the winning male who acquires color females. Starter feed for fry green nannakary: rotifers, tiny nauplii Cyclops and Artemia nauplii just vyklyunutii.

Nannakara green puberty reaches the age of 7-10 months.

Family cichlids (Cichlidae).

Nanohromis transvestitus lives in rocky, sandy areas of Lake Mai-ndombe (Lake Leopold) and the Congo Basin.

Body nanohromisa transvestitusa oblong, laterally compressed, profile curved back stronger than abdomen. Roth end, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. The male is colored pale blue color with 5-6 transverse black stripes, starting from the midline of the body, some of which ends at the top of the dorsal fin. Caudal fin with dark blue trim, the rest transparent. Nanohromisa transvestitusa female is much brighter colored than males. Her body beige color with a bronze tinge, belly pinkish-red. The body barely visible 4 transverse strips. Anal fin rear of the dorsal and tail with white and blue stripes. Fins females developed weaker than in males. At length male grows up to 8 cm, female to 6 cm. Life expectancy in captivity nanohromisa transvestitusa 4 years.

Nanohromis transvestitus territorial fish. Typically, nanohromisy form monogamous family (male and female remain together until his death) and a couple, not just the male occupy a territory, which then together and protect. In peaceful neighbors fit different types of fish. Keeps nanohromis transvestitus in the middle and lower layers of water.

To keep the aquarium nanohromisa transvestitusa required volume from 60 liters to different shelters and caves with stones, exceeding the number of pairs. When building caves should take into account the factor that fish constantly break stones and sand under them should conclude as to not cave collapsed. On the sides and in the background planted aquarium plants with strong root system, carefully secured in the ground. Parameters for optimum water retention nanohromisa transvestitusa: hardness 5-22 °, ph 5.5-6.2, temperature 24-26 ° s. Required filtration, aeration and weekly substitution to 25% of the water.

Nanohromis transvestitus live feeds (tubifex, bloodworm, koretra), frozen and dry foods.

For breeding aquarium nanohromisa transvestitusa required volume of 40 liters of shelters. Parameters of water for breeding: hardness 5 °, ph 5.5-6.2, temperature 25-29 ° s. The female lays 40 to 70 white oblong eggs. Parents usually with caring for eggs and fry. If the male males prevents it makes it desirable vidsadyty to another aquarium.

The incubation period lasts two days. When the larvae hatched, the parents carry them in pre-prepared holes in the sand or in a cave. After 4 - 5 days fry begin to swim and feed. Starter feed Artemia nauplii and "living dust." Nanohromisa transvestitusa fry grow quickly.

Nanohromis transvestitus puberty reaches the age of 5-7 months.

Family cichlids (Cichlidae).

Parrot inhabits the forest and ponds in areas with brackish water in West Africa. In Europe, this fish was first delivered in 1951. There is also an albino form Pelmatochromis pulcher albino.

Parrot has oblong, laterally compressed body. Profile curved back over the belly. The front of the head, mouth and end with a sloping forehead, slightly bent down and resembles the head of a parrot (hence the name). Lips thick. The dorsal fin is low. Caudal - rounded, its middle rays are often extended, giving it a diamond-shaped form. Parrot has a beautiful and changeable color (there are several color forms that differ in the number of yellow and golden brown). The most common yellow-brown or blue shape fish. Along the entire body, from the snout to the end of the tail stalk is broad dark brown stripe. The back is dark. In the abdomen is cherry stain, bottom golden head. The scales on the sides of iridescent blue and purple sheen. Pelvic fins red. Sex differences: the male on the tail fin are 4-6 oval black spots, ventral fins greenish, dorsal and anal fins, pointed with a red-brown rim; female lower and fuller than males, the back of the abdomen reddish-purple, as if lopped tail fin, the dorsal wide golden edge with 2-3 dark spots on the tip, pelvic fins are red, blue eye iris with a small black pupil. In the wild male parrot fish grows to 9 cm, female - up to 7 cm. In aquariums usually less: 7 cm male, female - up to 5 cm.

Parrot peaceful fish that shows aggression only during spawning. Males make its territory in the center of the cave and guarded it. Adult fish that lived some time alone, ill get along with each other, so it is advisable to start young aquarium fish. Fish parrots form permanent pair. Keeping them can generally peaceful aquarium with different types of the same size. Keep the fish in the lower and middle layers of water.

Keep parrot fish in an aquarium can be a length of 70 cm with different shelters, thickets of plants, driftwood, caves with stones and ceramic pot (if not enough shelters, fish dug under the roots of plants or stones pits, where hidden). Soil - small and medium pebbles. Diffused lighting. Options for water retention parrots: hardness 6-15 °, pH 6.0-7.5, temperature 24 - 28 ° C. Required filtration (preferably using peat filter), constant aeration and weekly substitution to 30% of water.

Parrot taking a live feed (small bloodworm, daphnia, koretra, tubifex) and substitutes. It is advisable to give fertilizer plant.

Spawning parrots can pass both in general and in the spawning tank (40 liters steamed fish). Parameters of water: hardness 2-10 °, pH 6.0-7.0, temperature 25 - 28 ° C. Aeration is required. In nerestovyku be caves, driftwood or laid on its side ceramic pots without a bottom. During spawning the female parrots are very active compared to other species. Clearing the space for masonry, it attaches to it about 300 eggs. The incubation period lasts about 3-6 days under the supervision of parents who lost mouth peck eggs and dirt fan eggs pectoral fins and repel unwanted guests. The larvae remain for some time glued to the substrate. Then parents carry them for 2 days in deepening on the bottom. Fry 4-6 days start to swim and eat. Bulls walking fry in the aquarium for 3-4 days, forcing them overnight in the shelter. The behavior of a flock of fry regulated postures and position of their parents fins. Sometimes there are fights between parents through the right care of fry, then one of them seeded. Starter feed for fry parrots, living dust. The fry are gray color with a broad dark stripe along the body. If adult fish to fry vidsadyty, the two weeks again they are ready to spawn.

Puberty parrot fish reaches the age of 8-12 months

Family: cichlids (Cichlidae).

Princess of Burundi lives in rocky coastal area of ​​Lake Tanganyika.

In the Princess of Burundi elongated and slightly laterally compressed body. The head is large, the mouth end, thick lips. Ends spinal, anal and caudal fin rays extreme extracted. The main body color Princess of Burundi yellowish-brown or gray-brown. Each spot is lusochtsi brick color in certain light, they form a blurred longitudinal line. At the gill cover is a black spot with silver-platter, the eye - a little less red-brown stain. All the fins are transparent with a yellowish-green tint and light blue border. Sex differences: males slightly larger than females; a female before spawning noticeable long ovipositor. At length the Princess of Burundi grows to 8 cm.

Princess of Burundi zhrayeva and peaceful fish that shows aggression only during spawning. Schools of fish formed on consanguinity and differs strict hierarchy. The core of a group of sires (usually no more than 10 individuals). Nesting they actively spawning intervals up to 20 days. Caring for offspring relies not only on the sires, but also on a special group of assistants. There are fry 4-5 second age group, mainly females future. This group covers 2 degree in hierarchical ladder pack. The third group is growing up to five molod age. At the age of 3-4 months, they leave the spawning parents and swell up the largest part of the pack.

Keep the Princess of Burundi need a closed aquarium species capacity of 30 liters (one pair of fish) with different shelters (caves, caves, driftwood, etc.) and plants in pots (can also impose the roots of plants stones that fish have not dug ). Parameters for optimum water retention Princess of Burundi: hardness 8-20 °, ph 7.0-8.4; temperature of 24-28 ° C. Required filtration, aeration and weekly substitution to 25% of the water.

Princess of Burundi consume any live feed. Substitutes eat reluctantly or refuse them altogether.

For breeding Princess of Burundi fits the same aquarium, where it was kept. The water temperature increased to 28 ° C. The female lays up to 200 eggs dark red 1 mm in diameter on the inside cover. The incubation period lasts about 3 days. After another 6-8 days fry begin to swim and feed. Starter feed small Artemia.

Puberty Princess of Burundi is aged 8-10 months.

Family cichlids (Cichlidae).

Psevdotrofeus zebra living in Africa, rocky coastal area of ​​Lake Malawi. For the first time brought to Russia in 1973.

In psevdotrofeus zebra stretched in length and slightly laterally compressed body. Big head and big eyes. Adult males are fat pad in the forehead. Roth end, thick lips. The dorsal fin is long. Psevdotrofeus allocated amazing polymorphic. There are more than 50 natural color options, but the most common form of the following colors: blue uniform, white uniform, red female and red male (double red zebra), orange-red and blue male female (red zebra), yellow-orange with black mold brown spots. In the most common form of striped blue: the body and fins of males from light blue to dark blue color with 7-9 dark transverse stripes. At some anal fin yellow flecks that resemble caviar with black trim. Female painted in yellow-white color, with scattered throughout the body and fins numerous dark brown spots. The color of the fish depends on their age and condition. At length psevdotrofeus zebra grows up to 15 cm.

Psevdotrofeus zebra territorial and aggressive fish, there is a hierarchy among males. Keep in species as possible, and in general aquarium with Malawi cichlids. At one male should fall several females. Couples create only during spawning. Keeps psevdotrofeus zebra in the middle and lower layers of water.

To keep psevdotrofeus required zebra aquarium of 150 liters with the landscape of stones, reaching the water surface (the top of that overgrown algae), rocks and caves. You can put plants with hard leaves and a strong root system, strengthen ferns on the stones. Lighting is better to make the aquarium combination: incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Parameters for optimum water retention psevdotrofeus: water hardness 4-20 °, pH 7.2-8.5, temperature 24-28 ° s. Desired aeration, filtration and strong weekly substitution to 30% of water.

Psevdotrofeus zebra vegetable consumption (60%), lettuce, cabbage, sweet red pepper, nettle, black bread; animal (40%) daphnia and cyclops (provide a bright colored fish) koretra; as well as dry and frozen food.

Spawning psevdotrofeus zebra can take place in the general aquarium. At the bottom lay drainage pipe with a large hole so that they are clearly visible from any angle. The female lays 40-100 eggs from a diameter of 4 mm. During the 17-21 day female incubate the eggs in the mouth (possibly artificial incubation of eggs). Starter feed: small plankton. By 6-7 months fry with monotonous gray-brown color.

Puberty psevdotrofeus zebra reaches the age of 8-12 months.

Family cichlids (Cichlidae).

Skalyariya high or high body weight (large) living in South America, in the basin of the Orinoco among thickets of reeds. It is a subspecies of the usual skalyariyi.

In skalyariyi high or vysokotiloyi (large) diamond-shaped and flattened on the sides of the body. A distinctive feature of the fish is a sharp transition between the forehead and elongated snout with saddle deepening. The dorsal and anal fins elongated, triangular shape. Pelvic - elongated, filamentous. Main body color skalyariyi large greenish-gray, on reflection sriblyasne. The back is a little darker, greenish-brown tone. On the sides are four vertical black stripes, which are: one through the eye, two through the body and one on the tail stalk. Last rays of the caudal fin greatly elongated. Sex differences: female during spawning much fuller than males. Skalyariya high or vysokotila a length of 18-20 cm, height 35-40 cm. Life expectancy Depending on the conditions of detention may constitute 10-12 years.

Skalyariya high or vysokotila (big) fish zhrayeva and peaceful. Hold the can with any non-aggressive fish. The manner of swimming in the aquarium sharp, with a lot of vertical movement. He lives in the middle layers of water.

To keep skalyariyi high or vysokotiloyi (large) required extensive and high aquarium of not less than 100 liters of thickets of plants and space for swimming. Characteristics of water for proper maintenance: hardness 12 °, pH 6.0-7.0, temperature 25 - 27 ° C (32-34 ° quarantine in the village for several days). Requires constant strong filtration and aeration. These fish are very sensitive to water quality, so they just need a weekly substitution to 30% of water. Skalyariya high or vysokotila not tolerate different noise. Easy infected ihtioftyriozom.

In the food skalyariya high or vysokotila (large) take different feed live, frozen and flora (including salad) and substitutes. After the appearance of these fish in the aquarium you the first time is not recommended to feed them live food (bloodworm, koretra), it is best to give chopped seafood, beef heart scraping or dry food. Living shellfish or insect larvae given only after treatment in a solution of formalin. Skalyariya great food can collect both surface water and from the bottom.

Breeding skalyariyi high aquarium are extremely rare. Generally, fish are imported from South America. It is known that spawning can take place in the general aquarium. Characteristics of water for breeding: hardness to 1-5 °, pH 5.8-6.2, temperature 30 - 31 ° C. Caviar skalyariya big lays on leaves of plants. The incubation period (at 30 ° C) is 60 hours. Reach sexual maturity at 8-10 months.

Family cichlids (Cichlidae)

Skalyariyi living in the wild in South America in the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco. Keep calm areas of water bodies, such as bays, overgrown with reeds, coast, lagoons and flooded many plants in the flood areas of land and shallow calm floodplains.

Skalyariyi discoid body with highly elongated dorsal and anal fins, resembling a crescent. The body length of 20 cm and the height of the fish (with fins) can reach nearly 30 cm. In vitro their size strongly depend on the volume of the aquarium and rarely reaches 10 cm. Pelvic fins filamentous, long. This structure allows these timid and cautious fish to maneuver among the vegetation and in time to hide from enemies.

Main body color varies greatly skalyariyi can have different shades of gray to greenish-olive with a silvery sheen. The back is darker than the abdomen. As the body are dark vertical stripes, saturation which depends on the fish. The first of which passes through the eye of the fish, and the last - on the basis of the tail fin. As a result of years of breeding modern aquarium skalyariyi painted in the most bizarre colors, are striped, black, marble, gold, smoky, two- and three-color, green. Also widespread form of vualeva more elongated fins. But the natural form Pterophyllum scalare now in aquariums are not found, because the course of years of mixing is plant-breeding species.

Skalyariyi famous aquarium almost a hundred years. Graceful and nepospishlyvi, they can decorate themselves any aquarium, you can keep the majority of peace-loving fish species. Another 20 - 30 years ago skalyariya considered problematic complex in content, especially in breeding fish. But now it is not. Changing many generations, bred and raised in captivity, has led to their complete adaptation to aquarium conditions.

Skalyariyi - peaceful quiet swarms of fish. It is better to keep a group of 4 - 6 fish. Keep them in aquariums with smaller and similar in size, but non-aggressive fish species. If the aquarist is going to organize an aquarium species, it is recommended to keep them together with mezonautamy (Cichlasoma festivum) or catfish genus Corydoras, but not with barb, haratsydovymy and viviparous korpozubymy that may bite in scalar threadlike sprouts fins. Despite the peaceful character, hungry adult skalyariya not to swallow and small fish, so coexistence, such as neon these fish will not be very long.

Aquarium for keeping skalyariy should have a volume of 100 liters and be high enough (at least 50 cm). In the aquarium should be enough plants for shelter, as well as "lawn" for free swimming. Soil skalyariyi not dig and do not damage plants. The soil is dark - coarse sand or fine gravel. For decorating the aquarium can be used to create decorative driftwood and rocks and crevices of the stones. By water hardness skalyariyi unpretentious, living both in soft water and in hard. But quite demanding purity. Sure to filtering, aeration and weekly substitution to 20% of the water. Recommended conditions of the scalars: hardness 6 - 15 °, pH 6.5 - 7.5, temperature 24 - 27 ° C, at a lower zastudzhuyutsya easily. Preferably the temperature is opuskatymetsya below 25 ° C. Required bright light, but would eliminate abrupt change of illumination.

Feed scalar can be any food as alive and dry, but better still alive. Tend to overeating, so better fish feed vmiru. It is very demanding on the quality of food.

With proper maintenance skalyariyi form pairs and 8-12 months are beginning to spawn right in the general aquarium. For reproduction Choose paired (mainly aquarium it will hold on its territory). In the spawning tank (volume of 80 liters, compulsory aeration) should be planted velykolysti plants. Raise the temperature and soft water a few degrees. The water in the spawning grounds should be neutral (pH 7). Mature, well-fed pair placed in nerestovyk. Couple chooses a broad and strong stem or leaf, carefully cleans it from dirt. The female begins to throw in neat rows refined place the eggs, which the male fertilizes. Spawning lasts several hours. The female lays 300 to 700 eggs on the leaves of plants, shelter or wall aquarium. Both parents clean and ventilate the eggs. Fish roe look after choosing dead eggs and then fry. However, some fish eat eggs, so better to move it in an incubator with constant aeration and water level less than 15 cm. After 6 - 9 days there and fry. Parents need to this time vidsadyty. Terms appearance fry depend on the water temperature, which should not be below 26-30 ° C. Initial feed for fry "living dust", ciliates.

With good care skalyariyi live long in captivity, 10-15 years.