Among the many species of fish used by aquarists, labidochromis deserves attention. This name refers to a whole genus of freshwater inhabitants, uniting 18 species. It is useful to know what are the characteristics of specific varieties and what you need to pay attention to.
Features
Labidochromis are recognized according to the existing biological classification, representatives of the cichlid family. The entire genus comes from Lake Malawi, the rights to the waters of which are shared by 3 African governments. Labidochromis are concentrated mainly in rocky ridges close to the Tanzanian coast. In nature, these animals eat larvae and small arthropods. The bulk of the prey populates algae and gaps in pitfalls.
Typical for most types of labidochromis, the body structure implies a small mouth with elongated upper teeth of modest size. The jaws, like the individual teeth in them, look like tweezers. The body of the fish is oblong and similar in geometry to the rest of the cichlids.
Different types are either covered with stripes, or have a uniform color. Labidochromes are not larger than 0.1 m.
Varieties
Labidochromeis yellow is popular. As you can already guess by the name, the body of the fish has a juicy yellow tone. There is no difference at all between the male and the female, with the exception of the dark area of the eyes: they are painted the same. The fins are black, and there is a white line only on the dorsal protrusion. Body length reaches 0.09 m.
Labidochromis hong sweden is rarely used by aquarists. In nature, it inhabits the surroundings of the island of Lundo.In contrast to the shape of yellow, this animal has a pronounced sexual differentiation: males are characterized by blue or mixed with white color, the skin of females is brown, and the dorsal fin is colored in orange.
The demand for the species labidochromeis ed. Is constantly growing. As you can understand by this name, the fish are painted in a rich red color. From yellow animals are more careful. Important: at a considerable age, females become similar in color to males. Breeders, using the Hong Sweed breed, developed the kimpum variety ed.
A feature of the species is a reddish strip on the frontal part and on the dorsal fin. Important: fry are about the same color as the hongs. Confusion occurs very often. As for the type of Mbamba Bay, as well as perlmouth, it must be indicated that these subtypes have been studied very little. Cerulius white nkata bay (aka hummingbird) has a dominant pale yellow tone.
The male cerulius is larger than the female; their fins are well developed. Important: within the same population there may be specimens with or without black stripes. In some cases, the cerulius is given out as a yellow appearance. The fish swim very actively and are very dexterous. Under favorable conditions, age can be 7 years.
The species of chizumulu was named after the island, near which such labidochromis live. White color is typical for him. A light mother-of-pearl tone is mixed into it. There is also a variation of Freiberg, named after the discoverer. For its violet-blue color, the fish is often referred to as a "miniature zebra."
Snow prince fish can have not only white, but also a light bluish tint. At a young age, aquarium pets are slightly darker. Due to the fact that these animals are albinos, their eyes are saturated with red.
Such fish live from 8 to 12 years. Not even very experienced aquarists can keep them.
Recommendations for aquarists
The content of labidochromis is possible in aquariums with a capacity of 100 l, a lid must be prepared. The environment in the reservoir should reproduce the same conditions as in Lake Malawi. Sand is poured into the bottom and pieces of coral are laid out. Be sure to take care of maintaining an alkaline environment (with a hydrogen index from 7.4 to 8.3). The recommended temperature regime is 23–28 degrees.
All types of labidochromis adore shelters and original uneven terrain.
Such elements immediately make the aquarium more comfortable. Be sure to grow Valnisneria and similar algae in the pond. So that they develop normally, the bottom is equipped with pieces of trees. Water should be thoroughly saturated with oxygen, aerators and filters are used for this.
Fluid replacement must occur systematically. It is recommended to do this in equal portions within 21 days (every 7 days). Given the features of the natural diet, labidochromis should be given:
- spirulina;
- medium-sized crustaceans and crabs;
- salad.
Feed variations not only affect animal health. The saturation of the color directly depends on them. The best result is given by a diet that is as close as possible to nutrition in nature. In this case, the color looks as natural as possible.
Food should be given to fish twice a day; it is unacceptable to keep them in the same aquarium with carnivorous inhabitants.
There are references to broods of labidochromis up to 60 pieces. However, ordinary aquarists will have to limit themselves to a more modest result - up to 25 pieces. Adult specimens can exterminate eggs, so females carry them in their mouths. Incubation takes 90 days at a normal temperature of 27 degrees.
Fry should be given:
- cyclops;
- nauplii artemia;
- various types of dry feed.
Important: in food there should be no nitrites, ammonia, nitrates. Such components greatly harm the development of fish. If suitable conditions are provided (including temperature), fry will be able to grow to 0.02 m by the end of the second month of life. It is perfectly acceptable to place the fry in the same aquarium as the adults. Puberty is reached by 7–8 months, and the total lifespan can reach 6–8 years.
Labidochromeis has a peaceful disposition and can live with any calm fish. Aggression does not cause problems even during spawning. Usually 5-10 specimens are planted in an aquarium. When there are enough "friends", the African guest simply ignores other species. Important: you should not populate any kind of veil fish in the same place - it can still suffer.
The water hardness for labidochromis should be 8–20 °, the recommended hydrogen index is from 7.6 to 8.8.
To design an aquarium, it is advised to use:
- caves;
- rocky compositions;
- grottoes.
The bottom of the vessel is sometimes lined with a combination of calcareous rocks, sand, crushed corals and crushed marble.
Labidochromis is omnivorous, can even eat shellfish, snails and insects, as well as peas.
For your information: it is impossible to categorically feed such fish with a tuber and bloodworm. This can even lead to the death of animals. You can’t strictly overfeed African cichlids.
The best combination of labidochromis form with:
- chain catfish;
- ancistruses;
- catfish synodontis;
- iris coasters;
- large zebrafish;
- aulonocars;
- Labeau
- corridors;
- pseudotrophies
- thoracic tumors;
- blue dolphins.
It is strictly unacceptable to combine this fish with:
- goldfish of all types;
- viviparous;
- characinic;
- labyrinth individuals.
Note: the aquarium with a capacity of 100 l is suitable for 3-4 females and 1 male. If the vessel contains 200-300 liters of water, it will be possible to keep a whole beautiful flock there. You can conduct experiments with the landing of Anubias and cryptocoryne. A very simple kind of decoration is coconut shell. If you follow these recommendations, you can get very attractive results.
You can find out what you need to pay attention to when buying and breeding labidochromeis from the video below.
