Mandarin duck is considered a fairly popular aquarium fish. Its other names are psychedelic, striped, green mandarin. This exotic look has a vibrant coloration of the scales. In addition, it is carnivorous fish, and this is important to consider for future aquarists. Read more about mandarin fish and its contents in the article.
Description and appearance
Exotic mandarin fish (from Latin: Synchiropus Splendidus) is an inhabitant of the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean. It can be found off the coast of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippine Islands. The fish are rather shy, so they prefer not to leave the safe zone - that is, do not swim further than the coastal reefs. Due to the active and benthic lifestyle of fish, it is extremely rare to observe them even in closed lagoons.
Most of the time, the mandarin duck prefers to spend at the bottom, where there is enough food - mostly small crustaceans. By nature, the fish is thermophilic, so the best habitat for it is shallow water.
The appearance of this fish is so diverse that it is quite difficult to confuse it with some other marine inhabitant. The scales are truly unique - there is orange, yellow, blue, purple, green.
As for the name, it has nothing to do with citrus fruit. Only because of the similarity of color with the attire of Chinese imperial officials - mandarins - fish got its name. Sea dweller has a rich color, which includes colorful stripes and specks. The main body color is blue, which is manifested by certain cells by chromatophores.They contain a certain pigment responsible for the refraction of light.
This species does not differ in large size - on average, the body reaches 6 cm, in shape resembling a torpedo. The eyes are large and bulging.
Ravnichnikov having a rounded shape, several - abdominal (near the head) and dorsal. A characteristic feature of the mandarin duck is the presence of an inconspicuous mouth that moves forward. In addition, the body of the fish is slippery, covered with mucus.
By nature, tangerines are rather slow fish. Therefore, experts do not recommend populating them with faster neighbors. This is fraught with a struggle for food, as a result of which the former will be left without food.
As a compromise, you can use a small feeder, where only tangerine individuals will squeeze through. Such feeders are best lowered to the bottom.
We list the fast fish that the mandarin duck most likely will not get along with:
- barbus;
- catfish;
- zebrafish
- thirteen;
- surgeon fish;
- neon nannakara.
It is interesting that a multi-colored individual does not engage in battle with other species, if it comes to that, rivalry appears only among relatives. For this reason, it is recommended to populate one or two tangerines in one aquarium.
Conditions of detention
Typically, the breeding of this type of fish is done by truly experienced aquarists.
The fact is that a multi-colored mandarin is quite difficult to care for at home. In addition, marine life requires special nutrition.
It is also important to know that aquarium individuals can significantly increase in size - up to 10 cm.
Mandarin fish breeding experts have made several recommendations regarding keeping, which should be followed by novice aquarists:
- maintaining a certain temperature regime - not lower than 24 degrees;
- you should choose a tank with a volume of at least 300 liters per individual;
- A suitable variant of the aquarium is a species one, which is specifically designed for one type of fish, in order to avoid competition for food.
Aquarium equipment
To ensure the perfect life of the mandarin duck, it is better to purchase a spacious aquarium, where it will be possible to easily reproduce the natural living conditions of this species. So, in open waters, fish prefer to swim among coral reefs, so it is important to establish them as much as possible. By the way, experts advise holding such reefs in water for about a month, and only then launch a mandarin duck.
A multi-colored fish loves various shelters, so when arranging the aquarium bottom, do not forget about snags, caves, castles. At the bottom, it is better to lay small pebbles.
Besides, An important condition for the maintenance is regular filtration and aeration of water. And you should also support the natural indicators of acidity - 8.4. It will not be superfluous to add various nutrients and microelements to water.
As for lighting, it should be moderate.
A mandatory point in the care is regular cleaning of the aquarium. In addition to the aesthetic side, when dark green dirt settles on the glass, this greatly damages the health of the aquarium inhabitants. In addition, it is worth including an equally important procedure - changing half the volume of water.
The following products are recommended for cleaning:
- special filter;
- Sidex;
- "Methylene blue";
- "Malachite Green."
Feeding and breeding
Decorative fish breeders offer two types of tangerines - caught in the sea and bred at home. Actually for independent breeding of motley fish it is enough to create close to natural conditions of life and reproduction.
Before the breeding processes themselves, bisexual individuals depict the so-called mating dance, which consists in circling fish in water. Just at the same time, females throw eggs, the number of which varies from 10 to 500.
By natural laws, females are attracted to large males.This feature should be considered aquarists who want to breed bisexual individuals for further offspring.
As for nutrition, it is practically impossible to provide mandarin duck with natural food. Therefore, you have to resort to alternative means. So, small worms, bloodworms and other animals are suitable as food.
True, first you need to accustom the fish to such food, because she will not immediately love it. It will not be superfluous to ask the breeder about the first feeding of fish - This will greatly facilitate the search for suitable food.
With proper care, a mandarin fish can live about 12 years.
Aquarium mandarin duck is a unique fish with multi-colored scales. It is because of the decorative qualities that she was loved by aquarists all over the world. The care and maintenance of it cannot be called easy, but it is quite possible to ensure the natural conditions of life. The main thing is not to forget about the regular filtration and aeration of the water, as well as the periodic cleaning of the aquarium.
Having bought two individuals of different sexes, you can successfully breed these colorful fish. Remember that good conditions and proper nutrition are the key to the life of your aquarium pets.
What does a mandarin fish look like, see below.
