Common Antsistrus is a rather unusual representative of the Chain Catfish family, whose habitat is the waters of South America. Having come to the attention of domestic aquarists in the second half of the twentieth century, these fish began to be in high demand. Today they are one of the most popular inhabitants of domestic ponds. What is remarkable about ancistruses, what are their sizes, what nuances are associated with their content and breeding - we will consider in this article.
Description
Ordinary Antsistrus is a small aquarium catfish with an outstanding appearance. This fish has an elongated and slightly flattened teardrop-shaped body. The entire catfish torso is covered with bone plates.
The head is large, triangular, with large expressive eyes. The mouth is wide, slightly stretched. The mouth resembles a suction cup, with the help of which the fish cleans the surface of stones and the walls of the tank from algae deposits.
The dorsal, ventral, and both pectoral fins are large, wide, translucent. The coloring of the fins of these catfishes repeats the basic color of the body and head.
The color of the fish varies from gray-yellow and dun to deep gray and almost black. The whole body of ancistruses is covered with numerous bright spots.
The sizes of these funny representatives of the aquarium fauna are small. The average body length of catfish of this species can be 8-15 centimeters. Females are usually slightly larger than males.
How to determine the gender?
Pronounced sexual differences between females and males are one of the characteristic features of catfish of this species. So, upon reaching the age of 1-1.5 years, long warty growths begin to form in males on the head and in the mouth. In the future, such “decoration” among catfish-boys helps females determine the most worthy and strong candidate for procreation. In females, such growths usually do not form, but if they arise, then only of a small size and exclusively on the sides of the head.
Conditions of detention
There are no specific difficulties in the maintenance and care of ordinary ancistruses. Unpretentiousness is another important feature characteristic of catfish of this species.
For a comfortable existence, these fish need:
- fresh water;
- a small equipped aquarium;
- high-quality feed;
- diffuse lighting;
- equipment for filtering and aeration of water.
Water
Antcistruses living in the wild represent the inhabitants of freshwater bodies of water. When kept in a room aquarium, it is necessary for them to create an environment that mimics and recreates the natural habitat.
The water in the aquarium should be fresh, clean, settled.. Recommended temperature varies from +22 to + 26 °. The acidity level must be within 6-7 pH, stiffness within 10-13 °.
These unpretentious creatures calmly tolerate an increase in water temperature up to 30 °. However, it is not necessary to allow strong heating of water in the aquarium with fish in order to avoid deterioration of their well-being.
Aquarium
For the maintenance of these aquarium catfish, a relatively small tank of at least 50 liters is suitable. In such a capacity, a pair of adults will feel quite comfortable.
Experienced aquarists recommend choosing the aquarium based on the number of fish that are supposed to be kept in it. On average, 1 adult fish should account for about 25 liters of the total tank volume.
Aquarium arrangement
Catfish lead a measured, bottom lifestyle. For a comfortable existence, they need shelters located at the bottom of the aquarium - caves, stones, grottoes, snags. In these shelters, ancistruses prefer to stay during the day, becoming more active with the onset of twilight.
If the aquarium contains several male Antsistruses, it is worth making sure that each of them has its own shelter.
Sometimes catfish-boys come into conflict with each other and other inhabitants of the aquarium in the struggle for the corner they like. This is because Antsistrus has a very developed sense of territoriality, which manifests itself most clearly in the period of waiting for offspring.
Feed
The well-being and health of catfish of this species largely depends on their diet. The basic component of their daily menu is algae bloom, formed on the walls of the tank, decor items, stones, leaves of underwater plants.
As top dressings containing fiber and protein, it is recommended to use:
- tableted spirulina;
- bloodworm;
- tubule
- scalded lettuce;
- cucumbers
- carrots and pumpkin, boiled until half cooked.
When feeding fish, you should make sure that the food settles to the bottom, and not float on the surface. Otherwise, the pets will remain hungry.
To avoid this, you should purchase special bottom feeder.
Lighting
These fish do not really like bright lighting, preferring to hide in shelters during daylight hours. They feel most comfortable at dusk and darkness, with the onset of which the ancistruses emerge from shelters in search of food.
However, for the full development of the aquarium flora light is still needed.
Preferably, the luminous flux directed to the aquarium is diffused and dim.
Equipment
Spending a significant part of the time at the bottom of the aquarium, catfish experience an increased need for oxygen. Concerning It is important that water filtration and aeration equipment is installed in the tank.
Breeding ancistrus
Reproduction of fish of this species does not cause special difficulties. Often they themselves produce offspring without any outside interference.
To get offspring from ancistruses, it is necessary to plant a one-year-old female and an adult male (or two females and one male) in a separate tank. At the bottom of the aquarium, hollow structures (tubes, pieces of hose) or other shelters, where the female will lay eggs, must be laid in advance.
Then, to stimulate spawning, lower the temperature of the water in the tank to 20-21 °. In addition, for several days regularly need to update the water in the tank with fish by about a third. These actions are carried out in order to simulate the rainy season, during which catfish arrange mating games. Usually, a spawning phase occurs a few days after stimulation.
As soon as the female marks the eggs, they are planted. The male, however, takes upon himself all cares for future offspring. For several days, he was constantly on duty at the masonry, fanning eggs with fins.
As soon as the larvae of the ancistruses begin to appear from the eggs, the young parent is sent to the general aquarium. Feeding babies begin after 4-5 days, when they have resolved the yolk sac. It is recommended to feed young growth with nauplii of Artemia or special mixtures for fry.
About the content and breeding of ancistrus, see the video below.
