Tsikhlazoma: description, types and contents

Many people are fond of fish farming now. After all, these creatures do not require special care, but at the same time they are not only pets, but also part of the interior of a house or apartment. Aquarium with colored fish is a wonderful decoration for any room. Among all the fish, many note cichlase, of which there are more than 100 species. All of them are very colorful and unpretentious in content.

Cichlazomas belong to the group of fish from the cichlid family, and they are also called ray-finned. Many of this species are considered true predators. Indeed, in the natural environment they eat small fish. Some aquarium fish are characterized by caring for their offspring. In addition, if any of the fish encroaches on an occupied territory, it will be expelled at the same time.

In their description there is a signature stamp “vertebrates”. Some subspecies are already on the verge of extinction. Their maintenance requires a huge aquarium, as well as the correct selection of "neighbors".

In their natural environment, they live in US waters. Cichlases are in excellent health. After all, their body is covered with a rather dense shell, respectively, pathogenic microorganisms very rarely get under the skin.

If we talk about the description of the appearance of the fish, then the elongated body of the cichlazoma is a continuous muscle. The mouth of such fish occupies a large part of the head, on which are also convex-shaped eyes and gill holes. If a fish gets a wound somewhere, it will recover very quickly.

There are quite a few varieties of cichlase, among which some are very popular with fish lovers.

Another name for such fish is Smaragdidae. The Amazon River is considered their homeland. The length of the body reaches 20 centimeters. The color of wine cichlases is green-brown, with a golden or red sheen. Through the whole body passes a dark strip, which at times disappears. In addition, in its very center is a huge black spot.

The fins of the fish are yellow. Males are always slightly larger than females. They are peaceful in nature. Therefore, they can coexist with many of the same peace-loving fish. For their maintenance you will need an aquarium, the volume of which should be at least 120 liters.

Its natural habitat is Lake Managua. The body has a gray-yellow or gray-blue color. In addition, there are several dark stripes on the sides. By the nature of the fish, this subspecies is quite aggressive, especially at the time when spawning occurs. Their maintenance requires a huge aquarium. Moreover, only such fish can be their neighbors.

The homeland of these fish is the Paraguay River. This species is quite peaceful, to some extent even shy. Therefore, in the neighborhood with them can live the same fish or slightly smaller in size. Males are distinguished by a brighter color, as well as a large size. For their placement, an aquarium with a volume of 100 liters is enough.

Fish of this species inhabit the eastern part of Central America. Their color is dark green or brownish yellow. From the head to the tail is a dark strip. In the middle of the body is the same dark spot. On the back, the fin is painted blue-green, its edge has a red border. Salvini's tail is clay yellow.

Males of this subspecies are painted more brightly, and females on the gills have a black spot. The male grows up to 15 centimeters, and the females - up to 13 centimeters. By their nature, the fish are quite peaceful, but during the throwing of caviar they become very aggressive. An aquarium for them is worth buying a large one - at least 250 liters in volume.

Fish of this species inhabit the rivers of Barbados. In length, they grow up to 20 centimeters. Coloring is variable, it can vary depending on their age or mood. Most often, on a green background, you can see many strokes or spots. Males have slightly pointed fins, and there is a fat pad on their forehead.

This variety of fish is beautiful. You can see them in the rivers of Mexico, where they stick together, mainly in shallow water. When the mating period begins, the pairs stay almost always together. Besides, they zealously guard their territory. Therefore, in aquariums, it is necessary to distribute the bottom into zones so that couples can protect the territory they have chosen as theirs. The aquarium for such fish should be no less than 100 liters.

This cichlazoma has a powerful body and a rather bright color. People call it a jaguar, since such a color is quite similar to this animal. They grow up to 40 centimeters, so the aquarium should be no less than 500 liters. In addition, the neighbors should be no smaller in size, otherwise they are simply eaten for breakfast.

By their nature, they are calm, but their territory will be clearly guarded. Females are slightly smaller in size than males, and it is precisely on this basis that they are determined.

They live in the lakes of Guatemala and can grow up to 10 centimeters, but in aquariums they are a little smaller. Their color is gray. The base is decorated with several stripes located throughout the body. The fins are green. To maintain them does not require too much trouble. Their character is quite calm.

The fish of this subspecies are quite large and can grow up to 20 centimeters. Their torso is slightly elongated, and their sides are flattened. The head is quite large, with bulging eyes and a huge mouth. Their color is most often red, green or orange. In addition, the whole body of the fish is covered with colorful spots. The fins as well as the tail have a black trim.

They are peaceful in nature and can coexist with different types of fish. For maintenance, you need an aquarium with a size of at least 350 liters.

This species of aquarium fish appeared in 1996 as a result of crossing the rainbow and lipped cichlases. However, there are many discrepancies about this. They are quite large fish with a pink or red tint. They grow up to 35 centimeters in length. On the body is a strip that runs from head to tail, as well as spots that resemble hearts in shape. Their life expectancy is up to 10 years. The female and male are almost identical, therefore it is impossible to distinguish between them.

This species of fish appeared as a result of breeding with eight-lane cichlazomas. They grow up to 20 centimeters in length. Their body has a dark brown color with a large number of blue specks. In good conditions, they will live up to 15 years.

Many people call orange cichlazoma "red terror." After all, it has a rather aggressive character, therefore it is recommended to keep it in aquariums separately from other fish. The volume of the aquarium should be at least 300 liters. Females grow up to 13 centimeters in length, and males grow up to 19 centimeters. Festa has a striped color, consisting of black and orange stripes. In addition, there are also many specks on her body.

These fish are large in size, sometimes they grow up to 40 centimeters in length. They are painted in bright orange or yellow. They live up to 14 years. Their character is quite aggressive. It is necessary to keep in aquariums, the volume of which is not less than 200 liters.

This subspecies is not found in nature, but was born as a result of crossing a pearl cichlazoma with a floral horn. Their character is quite aggressive. Therefore, they must be kept separately. They are painted red with white dots.

A small fish, up to 10 centimeters in length, has a fairly calm character. Her body is colored brown, and the fins are yellow. There are strips on the sides.

It lives in the reservoirs of Guatemala. Its length reaches 30 centimeters in males and up to 24 centimeters in females. In the very middle of the body there is a wide black stripe. In addition, black dots can be seen all over the back. The chest is painted red, so it got its name.

This is one of the most peaceful fish of this subspecies. She is quite curious and sociable, can coexist with various other fish. Her color is yellow, so she immediately forces all the attention of others to draw attention to herself. However, a blue stripe runs on the back and sides. The fins and tail have a blue trim. Fish grows up to 16 centimeters in length, so for maintenance you will need an aquarium, the volume of which will be at least 250 liters.

It differs from other fish in neon blue color. On the dorsal fin there is a golden strip that runs along the very edge. Nannakars grow up to 15 centimeters, but their life expectancy is only 5 years. Their character is quite peaceful.

They live in reservoirs of Mexico or Guatemala. In length they grow up to 20 centimeters. Their main color is considered yellow or orange. There are huge dark spots along the back, and the fins have a crimson or turquoise tint. The character of the bokura is aggressive.

This is one of the largest aquarium fish, which grows up to 50 centimeters in length. Adults can weigh up to 7 kilograms. The color may be gray-silver or gray-yellow. There are a large number of blue-black spots on the body. A dark stripe runs along the back. Aquarium for their maintenance should be at least 750 liters.

Such fish inhabit the waters of the Amazon. Their length reaches 20 centimeters. The color may be yellow or brown, in some cases even black. Throughout the body there are several transverse stripes of black color. On the tail, as well as in the middle of the body, is a black spot with a gold border. The character is quite aggressive, so it is best to keep them separate from other fish.

It is impossible to generalize all types of cichlases. However, it is worth noting that, by their nature, almost every one of them has an aggressive character. She will protect her territory, especially during the spawning season.

For convenience, it is necessary to zone the bottom with flat stones.

In the natural environment, all cichlasomas live in pairs. Therefore, those who decided to make such beauties for themselves need to take care of the partitions. In one aquarium, the content of 2 to 3 pairs of fish is possible. Each of the pairs should have its own personal space.

They lay eggs on stones. And since they all have a highly developed parental instinct, you should not bother them during this period. In addition, inside the aquarium it is necessary to create conditions that will be more close to the natural environment. It is necessary to lay out as many stones as possible, as well as snags, so that the fish can hide. In addition, you need to buy algae with a well-developed root system or just spread the artificial greens at the bottom.

The temperature of the water in the tank should not be lower than +20 degrees Celsius, moreover, not too hard and acidic. You will need to install lighting, which must be turned on constantly. But at the same time, it is necessary to protect the aquarium from direct sunlight. Be sure to timely make out a newly minted couple and immediately resettle it.

Since cichlazomas are predators by nature and are considered omnivores, they have no particular food preferences.

Besides, worms, seafood may be present in the diet. Percentage is 30 percent of the vegetation and 70 percent of the proteins. And you can also give your wards do-it-yourself minced meat from poultry.

Cichlazomas become mature only by 1 year of their life. Therefore, by this time it is necessary to purchase at least one pair of fish. In the natural environment, females lay eggs in the substrate, and in the aquarium - on stones. Then they find the most secluded place in the ground. They clean it of dirt, and also slightly expand. It is intended for fry. At one time, fish lay from 150 to 350 eggs. After that, for one week they guard the eggs, replacing each other at the post. At this time, they fan the laid eggs with their fins to enrich them with oxygen.

When the babies are born, they are transferred to a prepared hole, and then they are guarded for up to 30 days. Any appearance of a stranger will be perceived with belligerent aggression. To attack other fish, parents use their fins, which they wave very quickly.

After only one month of their life, you can begin to feed the fry. It is best to use starter feeds for this. It can be both powders and suspensions. It is not worth giving babies crushed cereals right away, as this can lead to the death of an entire new brood.

Summing up, we can say that almost all cichlazomas are similar to each other in nature, as well as habits. However, their appearance is completely different.Therefore, before acquiring such handsome men, you should definitely familiarize yourself with each individual variety. You can choose according to your favorite color, as well as their size. After all, not everyone can afford to put a large aquarium in the room. But in general, if you follow all the rules and keep the fish in good conditions, they will only delight your eyes and fill the soul with peace.

See how to keep, breed and feed fish in an aquarium in the next video.