Corridors: species, keeping, feeding and breeding

Many people in the choice of pets prefer quiet and unobtrusive fish. These underwater inhabitants are able to become not only calm "neighbors", but can also decorate the interior. There are many types of fish that you can keep in your home aquarium. Aquarium catfish corridor is often found for sale in pet stores, get to know them better.

The birthplace of fish of this species is the southeast of South America. Corridors are found in the waters of the La Plata River, as well as in warm, fresh lakes. These individuals like to be in places where the bottom is covered with silt or sandstone. From loosened soil, they get food in the form of larvae and worms. At the moments when the rivers flood, corridors are in smaller reservoirs.

Fish belonging to this species have small sizes and a characteristic convex back. On the body of the corridor there are unusual bone plates.

For corridors characteristic low mouth. This is due to the fact that fish usually catch food from the bottom. There are three mustaches on the upper and lower lips of the catfish. They are necessary for orienting individuals in the underwater space. The tendrils are especially useful if the fish is in highly turbid water.

The average size of the corridors is usually from 3 to 10 cm. The life expectancy of fish is considerable - with proper care and maintenance, catfish can live up to 15 years. The color of the fish may vary.There are even individuals of albinos.

For catfish of this species, an unusual respiratory system is characteristic. She is double:

• branchial;
• intestinal.

Catfish of this popular species have their pros and cons. Let's start with the positive qualities.

• Corridors are unpretentious in matters of care and maintenance. There is no need to spend large amounts on their feeding. Choosing the best environment for them is not difficult - they can live in both slightly acidic and alkaline environments.
• There are many varieties of corridors. They have differences, especially according to external data. You can choose beautiful and interesting underwater pets for every taste.
• Corridors are bottom fish. They eat up the rest of the feed that has fallen to the bottom. Thus described catfish protect the aquarium from the negative effects of rotting products.
• Such catfish can be found in almost any pet store. They do not have to be searched throughout the city. An exception is only some types of corridors.

Now we will analyze the disadvantages of catfish.

• Since corridors are bottom fish, they spend most of their time moving along the bottom. Very often they dig in the ground, which ultimately leads to clouding of the water in the tank.
• For these fish, it is important to carefully select the appropriate soil. There should not be any sharp elements in it, otherwise the corridor can be seriously injured and die.
• Representatives of some varieties of corridors do not breed well in aquarium conditions.

There are so many types of corridors. Each representative of his own species has certain characteristics and external distinctive features.

The main characteristic feature of the representatives of this species is a golden stripe stretching along the back. These catfish are also small in size. Most often they grow up to 4-7 cm. These underwater pets do not need complex care. The main thing is to take care of the optimal temperature of the water in the aquarium - it should reach +22.26 degrees Celsius.

The homeland of these catfishes is Peru. Here the main habitat is the Ukayali River. The main natural color of the fish of this species is white. In some individuals, an unobtrusive, pinkish tint on the body is visible.

On the dorsal fin, eyes and at the base of the tail there are large black spots. Panda corridors are tiny in size - usually no more than 3-4 cm. If there is no live food in the diet of these individuals, they grow very slowly and can have even more modest sizes.

Such catfish are also undemanding in care.

This is a dwarf catfish found in South America. These fish are characterized by a stocky and translucent body. By structure, they are elongated, their sides are slightly flattened. A horizontal dark strip passes through the whole body.

It is not difficult to distinguish a female from a male. Males grow tiny, have a dorsal fin pointed at the end. In females, this part is rounded.

The corridors of this species have a stocky body structure, they are elongated in length. The color of the fish is beautiful - orange, but the level of its intensity can vary from light to dense, saturated.

The dimensions of the slave are small. Their average length is 5.5-6.5 cm. These underwater pets are used to staying closer to the bottom, but can also be in the middle layers or even near the surface of the aquarium. By the nature of the rabauti, they are peaceful, they do not demonstrate aggression against other residents of the home reservoir.

Corridors with an elongated body, tapering closer to the tail. They are characterized by a curved line of the back, have a flat abdomen. The color can be light beige or yellowish, with a pink tint in the lower part. On the back and head there are characteristic, clearly visible dark spots.

Similis females are larger than males. They have a slightly convex belly. The sex of the fish of this species is easiest to determine if you look at them from above - the males look much slimmer.

The Schultz corridor is of medium size, the body shape is elongated. The main color of the body of the fish is light, but can vary greatly. There is a characteristic pattern, consisting of a large number of dark dots connected in a line that are located in a specific sequence. As in other cases, females are larger than males. This difference is especially striking before spawning.

The average maximum sizes of these fish are 7.5-8.5 cm. They prefer to stay in the lower layers or at the very bottom. It is in these sections of the corridor that the Schultz huddle together and go off in search of food.

This school of flocks spends all day in the study of the middle layers of water. Individuals of this species Undemanding neither in the care, nor in the specific parameters of the fluid in the aquarium. Hastatus is small in size. These fish do not depend on the level of lighting in the tank. Daylight does not scare them.

This species has much in common with its other relative - the Rabo corridor. Noticeable differences between them are not observed. However, the zigatus is larger in size than its fellow. Its average length is usually 6-7 cm. A dark strip is present on the back. Playful orange colors can be added to the silver color depending on the lighting.

Corridoras Zigatus is the perfect solution for a beginner aquarist. These fish are unpretentious in care. They can easily adapt to any conditions. The main thing is that any changes in their content should be gradual, not abrupt.

In another way, this trilinear view of the corridor is called trilineatus. These are small fish, they can be kept in a small aquarium, the volume of which is only 20-30 liters. In such a tank, 5-6 individuals can comfortably live.

Leopard catfish have an interesting appearance. They are characterized by a light body color with a dark contrasting pattern, very similar to the skin of a leopard.

This is a peaceful and plastic little fish. Sophisticated corridor melini care is not required. It has an interesting, contrasting color. This subspecies is rare. Its maximum size does not exceed 6 cm.

The nature of the melini is peace-loving. They feel comfortable in small warm-water aquariums. Soft, diffused light is ideal for them. It is advisable to pick up soil with friable structure for melini. The tank where such fish can live should be at least 15 liters in volume.

These are gray fish, the average size of which is 5-6 cm. The fins and tail have a characteristic bronze hue. There are greenish reflections on the body, especially in the area behind the gill cover.

Somiki konkolor prefer to stay in a flock. They are omnivorous and unpretentious in matters of care. They need clean water. Aquarium neighbors should not be too aggressive and territorial.

Interesting looking beautiful fish. They are peaceful and sociable. They belong to the social category. To reveal the standard behavior for these individuals, it is necessary to keep at least 4-6 pets in one group.

By the nature of the fish of this species are calm.The best neighbors for them are individuals that have similar sizes and about the same behavior. In the vicinity of aggressive fish, Venezuelans are better off not settling.

In length, these catfish reach 5-5.5 cm. Females are always denser and fuller than males. They behave peacefully, are schooling fish. They get along well with other peace-loving, not too aggressive species. They need dense vegetation and a large number of shelters. A place for swimming is also necessary.

These fish have a short body and a high back. Their body color is dark beige, there is a beautiful reddish tint.

Non-aggressive two-lane corridors. Body color is golden with an attractive sheen. A dark, contrasting strip stretches along the back to the tail. As in most other cases, females are larger and fuller than males. The average length is 5 cm.

In the aquarium where catfish live arquatus, it is necessary to place a large number of shelters, snags. As a soil, quality sand is recommended.. These fish have both gill and intestinal respiration.

These fish have a small body with a convex back. On the surface there is a carapace consisting of two rows of bone plates. The characteristic color is gray-olive. There is a large number of noticeable spots. The abdomen has a pinkish color with a beautiful golden tint.

These are peace-loving, bottom fish. Food is picked up from the bottom, but can also rise to the surface of the water. There they are able to swallow floating food, emitting a characteristic loud champ.

There is also a speckled veil corridor.

Choosing catfish corridors, you should pay attention to a number of parameters.

• Are there other fish that are sick in the same aquarium with catfish?
• The behavior of the corridors themselves is important. Healthy individuals are active, move briskly, swim to the surface, grab air, seamlessly descend to the bottom. Sick fish are chaotic in their movements, tumble to one side, move uncertainly.
• There must be no defects or damages on the catfish mustache.
• Red-brown marks on the body of the fish indicate the presence of fungus or infections.
• If the stomach of the fish is sunken, it means that it suffers from worms.
• Healthy individuals will have clear eyes, with no film or turbidity.
• You should not buy catfish with red or inflamed gills. Similar problems may indicate that catfish are poisoned with nitrates.

Corridors are bottom fish, so it is important to choose the right soil, take care of the free area for them. At the bottom, it is better to lay dark sand or gravel of a small fraction. The main thing is that the latter has smooth edges. It is worth placing live plants, mosses, ferns in the tank. The root system of plants should be strong so that corridors could not dig it.

It is desirable to contain such catfish in groups of 5-8 individuals. There is no need to buy an aquarium too large for them. For a group of 8 fish, a capacity of 50-60 liters is enough.

For lighting, it is recommended to buy not too bright lamps. The aquarium should have shaded areas. It is worth placing grottoes, caves, snags and other similar shelters in the tank.

The water in the aquarium where corridors live must have certain parameters:

• temperature - +22.26 degrees Celsius;
• acidity level - 5.5-8.0 pH;
• degree of rigidity - 5-19 dH.

Weekly, you need to change the 4th part of the water in the tank. Every 14-15 days, the soil should be cleaned.Make sure that no stones or fragments of decor that could harm the fish are lying on the bottom.

You need to properly feed the corridors. They eat everything that goes to the bottom. They are not picky about food.

Many aquarists are interested in how these fish are bred at home. Fish are ready for breeding at the age of 1-2 years. In the natural environment, spawning occurs in November-December, and a decrease in temperature will contribute to spawning in the aquarium. At this time, catfish should be transplanted into a separate tank (at least 60 liters). After this, you need to wait 8-10 days until the individuals get used to the new situation. It is important to create the same conditions as in the general aquarium.

During spawning periods, several males “chase” the female in the aquarium. She chooses the best from them. Then he releases the seed, which the female takes into her mouth. Then she creates from the pectoral fins something very similar to an impromptu basket, where she lays about 15-20 eggs.

Then the female finds a separate place in which it is accepted to rub the milk and glue the eggs. As a rule, she does it on glass, plant leaves, grottoes and other bases.

The appearance of fry can be up to 10 days. When after 5-7 days the kids go swimming, their feeding begins with "live dust", the next is the food - artemia. After a month, the fry can be transplanted into a common aquarium.

hordoras get along well with several types of aquarium fish:

• guppies;
• gourami;
• zebrafish
• swordsmen;
• scalaria;
• Pecilia
• discus
• molliesia;
• Antcistrus and many others.

Shrimps, eels and barbs can coexist in different ways. There are also types of fish with which corridors cannot be settled in any case:

• African and South American cichlids;
• koi carps;
• astronotuses;
• goldfish;
• large predatory fish.

On the maintenance and breeding corridors, see below.