Demasoni: description, care and reproduction

Cichlids are motile fishermen who are characterized by curiosity and an interesting appearance. These aquarium inhabitants do not need special attention and care. A striking representative of these living organisms can be called the pseudotrophyus demasoni, which in nature can be found on the territory of Africa in a rocky pond or near rocks.

The pseudotrophyus demasoni belongs to dwarf cichlids and the order of Perciformes. This aquarium resident is characterized by an elongated body shape and a length of about 7 centimeters. The head of the pet is torpedo-shaped. In the first 2 months of life, determining the sex of the fish is quite difficult. The difference between the male and the female can be seen at a more mature age, the male is usually larger than the female. Also, males have an acute dorsal fin.

Body color consists of 6 vertical stripes of blue, black, blue, which alternate with five bright lines. The forehead of the pseudotrophyus is wide, there are 3 dark stripes on it. On the dorsal and caudal fins there is a frame in the form of a blue line and horizontally arranged dark stripes. Despite their miniature size, the demon are quite aggressive living creatures. They live in packs where one male dominates. He attacks other fish and injures them.

These cichlids float near stones, they also prefer to be in caves. The curiosity of the fish stimulates them to study everything around. Pseudotrophyus swim in an original way, namely upside down, sideways, sagging in the water. The life of demasoni is about 10 years.

Demasoni aquarium fish are considered to be whimsical, so it is better not to start them for novice aquarium owners. In nature, this creature feeds mainly on algae, sometimes zooplankton, larvae, and mollusks. When kept in an aquarium, their diet should be as similar to natural as possible. The best option would be to purchase finished feed. From time to time it should be diluted with the addition of algae, scalded boiling water nettle leaves, dandelion or lettuce.

Animal feed should make up a third of the total diet. It is worth daphnia and cyclops to treat the fish. Shrimp and bloodworms should not be fed pseudotrophyus, since this food is too high in calories. If the nutrition of the fish is improper, then they may suffer from bloating. For this reason, they should not be given a lot of animal food.

Ailments of aquarium inhabitants are a consequence of malnutrition, untimely cleaning of the aquarium, lack of a filter, and also failure to comply with the quarantine regime for new pets. If a fungus occurs, demasoni should be transplanted into a separate container with water, and then make it a bath with manganese or saline until the symptoms disappear. The owner should choose an aquarium that will be most suitable for these pets.

With a content of 1 male and 4 females, a tank with a volume of at least 150 liters will be optimal. If there are several males, then to avoid aggression it is worthwhile to purchase an aquarium several times larger, that is, 400 liters.

These representatives of the water world are great for decorations in the aquarium. And also it is worth taking care of the presence of vegetation in the ecosystem. On an ongoing basis, it is worth maintaining the cleanliness of the aquarium, for this purpose you can use a filter. Change the water at least 1 time per week, while changing at least a quarter of the liquid, depending on the population of the tank.

The optimal temperature indicator is considered to be from 24 to 28 degrees of heat. Hardness must be maintained at a level of 10–18, in order to maintain it, coral crumbs, argonite sand, marble can be used. In the natural environment, this species of fish lives in unsalted water, which is rich in many trace elements. These living beings are unpretentious to light, therefore they can live both under artificial and natural light.

In artificial ecosystems, the reproduction of the demasoni pseudotrophyus occurs in a pack mode, with the number of representatives in it being about 12. Bearing of eggs occurs in the oral cavity of the female. The reproductive period in women begins when they reach a size of 25 millimeters in length. However, it is worth remembering that the number of fry in this case will be small. According to the observations of specialists, the male pursues the female until the moment she surrenders to him.

During spawning, dominant males behave quite aggressively, so much so that they can beat a weaker opponent to death. Like other mbun representatives, “men” pseudotrophaeus change their color. The owner must provide places in the aquarium for sheltering non-dominant representatives of the male half. In the period of one spawning, the female is able to lay from 15 to 25 eggs, which she immediately sends to her mouth and carries it with special care.

7 days after the end of spawning, fry begin to be born. However, this happens only on condition that the temperature indicator optimal for demasoni is maintained - 27 degrees Celsius. After 14 days, you can notice how the fry swim on their own in the water column. At this time they eat artemia nauplii and small flakes. Young fish behave aggressively, participate in brawls.

Important! Sometimes situations arise when adult aquarium inhabitants eat kids. To preserve the offspring, it is worth dropping the newborn demasoni into a separate tank.

Since the pseudotrophyus demasoni belongs to aggressive living creatures, it is better not to settle it with other aquarium fish. In fact, these representatives can get along with other Mbuni cichlids, provided that the aquarium is rocky. Demasoni needs personal space, therefore, being a little more than 1 centimeter in size, the male drives a fish of medium size from its territory.

It is strictly forbidden to contain pseudotrophyuses and creatures that have similar body colors in the same tank. Not the best demasoni neighbors include Cynotilapia afra, Pseudotropheus lombardoi, as well as other minke whales that have a yellow body with dark stripes. With representatives of this species, Labidochromis caeruleus, Metriaclima estherae and Maylandia callainos can be kept together. With tranquility, the demasoni perceives neighbors on whose body there are no stripes, for example, hummingbird cyclides, red zebras.

Demasoni is a dwarf active cichlid that has an attractive and interesting appearance. Despite the fact that special difficulties in its cultivation should not arise, it is nevertheless worth considering the following nuances:

• these fish are sensitive to water indicators and ambient temperature, so they should be kept at the right level;
• water change should be carried out no more than 1 time per week, as the pet will need to adapt to new conditions;
• difficulties can also arise in relations with neighbors, as these fish are quite aggressive and cruel to relatives.

You can learn more about how Pseudotropheus Demasoni spawns (Pseudotropheus Demasoni).