Macropods are very beautiful creatures, at first glance attracting the attention of those around them with their classic red and blue color. However, their aggressive nature can lead to difficulties for beginner aquarists.
Features
Macropod is a fairly common aquarium fish from the maze squad. Her homeland is Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and China. It looks bright and interesting, which explains the creature's popularity among aquarists. The body of the pet is painted in a beautiful blue color and covered with reddish stripes, the shade of which coincides with the shade of the fins. The shape of such a fish is quite elongated, with flat sides, but the fins are already pointed, except for the abdominal, which is a thread. The size of the bifurcated caudal fin reaches a gap of 3 to 5 cm.
Macropods have the ability to absorb oxygen from the surface of the water with the help of special organs, the presence of which is characteristic of the entire labyrinth family.
This ability allows these fish to survive even in stagnant water bodies with a low oxygen content. The length of the males is about 10 cm, and the females are about 8 cm. Fish live for about 6 years, but if you take good care of them, you can extend this period to 8 years.
The nature of the macropod is quite complex. This species of fish shows aggression not only in relation to other species, but also to its males. Females are more tolerant in this matter.
Varieties
Specialists distinguish some types of macropods, the main difference of which is the color. The conditions of detention and the care of different macropods are no different.
A classic or ordinary macropod native to China. It can be identified by blue spots with stripes of brick color, located near the head and on the belly. Coloring has several options - it can be blue, in the area of the back changing to purple, or combined (brown body, blue head and red fins).
In addition, the classic macropod may be an albino. In this case, his body will be white with yellow stripes, the fins will be painted in a pinkish tint, and his eyes will be red. Separately, such a macropod variety as red-backed stands out. It surprises with its beautiful silver shade, red fins and backs of the same color. The tail and back of the fin remain blue.
Black Macropod native to Vietnam. Its color ranges from dark gray to brown. The tail has a deep crimson color. The nature of this species is much calmer than that of its relatives.
Chinese macropods are often called round-tailed. Caring for it has its own specifics. For example, in winter, you need to lower the temperature to 10 degrees. In addition, he often suffers from microbacteriosis, which requires the adoption of appropriate measures.
Compatibility
Macropods do not get along in the aquarium with all the representatives of the underwater world. Most often, they are aggressive with other fish, so the choice of neighbors should be especially careful. In this case, preference is best given to active beings of the same size and strength.
It is impossible to settle a macropod with weak and peaceful creatures, as this will create an unambiguous danger for the latter.
In addition, the family of goldfish, as well as guppies and the like, is under a mandatory ban.
It is best to settle macropods in pairs or to combine one male and several females. You can settle them with other fish if the aquarium is large and equipped taking into account the interests of all its inhabitants, and the neighbors are quick and lack aggressiveness. They can be peaceful barbs, gurus, laliuses or tetras.
Growing conditions
The content of macropods at home is not particularly difficult. The water temperature should be maintained at a level of 18-25 degrees Celsius, and the pH should vary between 6.0-7.5. Optimum water hardness - 5-19 dGh. All care for pets consists in the proper equipment of the aquarium, its further maintenance in optimal condition and feeding. The aquarium can be selected small in capacity. One fish should have about 20 liters of water, and for a couple, 40 liters of liquid is already mandatory.
The aquarium should be equipped with a lid, as the macropod is prone to jumping out of it. In order for the division of the territory to go smoothly, it is recommended to create a rather large discovery for each individual. It is important to arrange them from different sides of the tank.
It is necessary that the movement of water in the aquarium is either completely absent or minimized. To ensure stable growth and development of creatures, at least once a week, part of the water needs to be renewed (from 20% to 25%). The liquid should always be used settled and have the required hydrochemical composition.
It is advisable to equip the tank with floating plants, as well as plants with a strong and branched root system. We are talking about such cultures as duckweed, pistach and salvinia. Greens need to be thinned out regularly, because otherwise some instances will begin to block others from access to oxygen.
The soil should be chosen dark, as it does not provoke stress in the fish and at the same time is a winning background for bright inhabitants.
Before filling the aquarium, the soil mixture must be boiled and then cleaned daily with a siphon.
Choosing a decor for the tank of domestic inhabitants, preference should be given to objects made of natural materials. Besides, devices that are dyed should be avoided - they can be toxic and cause illness, as well as the death of pets. It is advisable to choose a filter used low-power, since it is important for macropods to avoid strong waves of water. It is better to refuse a heater and a compressor if the fish live without neighbors. They feel great at a water temperature of 18 degrees and do not require additional aeration of water.
Lighting should be chosen depending on the requirements of planted plants. Daylight hours should not exceed 12 hours, and light should not be too bright. At night, lighting should be turned off. On sunny days, you will have to make sure that natural light does not get on the walls of the aquarium, and the water does not overheat.
Labyrinth fish have innate immunity to common diseases, so the reason for their poor health is only improper care or conditions. Tuberculosis occurs in the absence of regular cleaning of the reservoir. Unfortunately, this disease is practically not treated. Parasites appear due to poorly processed feed, plants or soil. In this case, carp lice or nematodes enter the aquarium, adversely affecting domestic animals. To eliminate the parasitic disease, you will need to use special preparations or potassium permanganate, you can also add piperazine to your pet’s food.
Fin rot in fish can only be cured with antibiotics. If you do not take appropriate measures, then their fins will literally collapse. Ichthyophthyroidism can easily be calculated by the appearance of white dots on the surface of the body of the fish. To treat the disease, you will need to increase the temperature in the aquarium, as well as use special drugs.
What and how to feed?
Feeding pets is pretty simple. In nature, the fish eats almost everything, but prefers animal feed: fry and other aquatic inhabitants. Sometimes a creature is ready to jump out of the water to catch potential food. At home, macro flakes can be offered special flakes, granules or specialized feed for males. Frozen or live food such as bloodworms, tubule, artemia, and black mosquito larvae are welcome. Frozen food must be thawed before serving.
Living options must be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate. When choosing ready-made feeds, it is worth giving preference to formulations containing carotene. This substance has a beneficial effect on the color of scales and fins, preventing them from fading over time. From time to time, fish can be fed with homemade minced meat.
In any case, it is important that the fish diet is varied and balanced.
Macropod should be fed twice a day, but in small quantities, since the pet is prone to gluttony.
Excess food must be removed immediately.
Sexual differences and reproduction
Macropod breeding at home is simple. Of the preparatory measures, only the organization of spawning will be required. Directly in the aquarium, the temperature should gradually increase to an interval of 26-28 degrees. Using peat, marble chips or special chemicals, the pH in this case changes to 6.
In addition, the liquid level rises to 20 cm, and additional shelters should be located inside the aquarium: either grottoes or thickets of floating plants. Before breeding, the diet of macropods is replaced by meat.
To distinguish the male from the female, you will need to carefully examine them. The male body looks slimmer by a few centimeters.There are differences in color - in males it is much brighter. In addition, the fins of males look longer and sharper, while in females they are slightly rounded and short. During spawning, the male builds a nest from fragments of plants and air bubbles practically on the surface.
For this period, it is necessary to relocate the females to another tank, since aggressive males can cripple them. As soon as the nest is completed, the females can be returned back so that they proceed to throw eggs. The male will take care of the incoming eggs - he will transfer them to the nest, and then take care and guard until the offspring appear. Females at this time is better to plant.
As a rule, one female gives about 500 eggs, which ripen from 3 to 5 days. It is important to remember: as soon as the fry appear, the male will cease to consider them as his offspring and can easily eat them. For this reason, fry and adults should be kept in different containers. It is customary to feed the fry with ciliates, microworms and boiled egg yolk.
Macropod care, feed and breeding tips in the video below.
