Koala scalar: description and content

Breeding fish is a cute activity. Unlike animals, for example, cats and dogs, which require special care, aquatic inhabitants win in terms of silence. They are unpretentious and graceful, calm nerves and create an atmosphere of comfort. The aquarium can replace a nightlight. The light passing through the water does not hit the eye and at the same time the bedroom is slightly lit. But who can be settled in a cozy aquarium so that these inhabitants delight the eye? It can be scalars.

There are aquarium fish that “hang” in the water. Through their clear glass, fins similar to wings are visible. It is easy to guess that we are talking about koi scalars (scientifically Pterophyllum scalare, perciform (Perciformes) - a detachment, and the family of cichlids, cichlids (Cichlidae)). These aquatic inhabitants received the Latin name from the recognized zoologist from Austria I. Ya. Heckel in 1840.

If we talk about the exact translation, then pteron is a feather, phyllon is a leaf, and by combining the basics, we get a “winged leaf”. However, Martin G. Karl Lichtenstein in 1823 gave the fish its name Zeus scalaris. Other lovers of these fish were noted in history. Baron Georges L. Frederic Bagobert Cuvier, who in 1931 after studying this specimen nicknamed the scalar Platax scalaris. And since representatives of such a famous fish family were a great success among consumers, they were even given the marketing nickname Blattfische (leaf fish).

If we talk about the description, we can say in addition to a narrow thin body, scalar is endowed with oblong anal and dorsal fins. This gives her the appearance of a crescent moon. The natural color is silver with black lines.They can grow in height about 24 cm and even more, and in length they grow up to 15-16 cm. The fish look pretty elegant because of their sailing fins. The shape of an angel gives them an unusual body shape, not without reason aquarists breed them for more than a hundred years.

According to some unverified data, live scalars were first brought to Europe in 1911. Prior to this, attempts were also made, but very unsuccessfully. In 1909, the fish were delivered to their destination, but dead. Aquarists all the time worked on the problem of reproducing scalars. In 1914, I. Kvankaru made the first reproduction. All technologies were not strictly disclosed, but there was a leak, and since 1920, angel fish began to breed in huge volumes. The secret of brood of scalars was also revealed in Russia, but this happened in 1928.

Lovers of beautiful fish did not stop there and began to work on improving the species. Breeding activity was carried out in all directions. So there were instances that had a very beautiful color. American C. Ash bred marble scalar. At this time, there are a great many colors and shapes of these fish. Here are some of them: diamond, scaleless, half, Cobra, leopard, red-smoky, pearl, gold-pearl, red-pearl, marble-red-gold, smoky, albino, red, chocolate, even with a phantom , two-spotted and also under a phantom, shade of indigo, lace zebra, under a zebra, red-black, white.

It should be remembered that angelfish live and breed in natural conditions. In South America (in its northern part), they are found in reservoirs where there is dense reed or other thickets. Water should be stagnant or slowly flowing. That is why, in fact, scalars have a puck shaped body. It is needed for maneuvering among reed beds. Fish cichlids are schooling, about ten individuals are part of the school.

You need to start with the parameters that need to be maintained so that your pets feel comfortable. So, optimal water temperature should be + 22– + 27 ° С, Ph acidity should be 6–7.5, water hardness dH - up to 10. Remember that angelfish have an aggressiveness of about 30%, their content will not be particularly difficult. Despite the fact that scalars are sedentary and calm individuals that spend most of their time in dense vegetation and are very shy (they swim away to the side when the light and knock on the glass are turned on), they may still not be compatible with some fish.

The following fish should not be kept in the same tank with cichlids:

• little guppies - even if not on the same day, but they will still be eaten;
• goldfish - they eat like pigs and have a nervous character, they can still be pinched;
• discus - in these individuals with scalars, the conditions of detention differ.

Despite such a large list, a scalar can be placed with very small fish and even live-bearers. Water neighbors for cichlids can be thornsia, swordsmen, zebrafish, small catfish, Pelviks, apistograms, gurus, and lliuses. Remember that angel fish are those fish that live long (10 years). They are simple in content, but it is advisable not to start them for beginners. Inexperienced fish farmers often incorrectly calculate the volume and stable parameters of water, which can lead to the death of fish.

There are no problems with feeding. They eat all kinds of feed. The basis of the diet can be cereals (only high-quality), live and frozen food (tubule, bloodworm, corvette, artemia). Angelfish are beggars, they eat without measure, do not give them a lot of food. Carefully feed the bloodworm. Otherwise, get bloating and may even die. Soft plants can also serve as food for cichlids. To protect them from scalars, put in the diet of your fish food with spirulina.

They are only found in aquariums with high margins (120 liters) because of their specific structure. If you have several individuals, you will need a capacity of 250 liters or more. Angelfish love warm water (+ 25– + 27 ° С). The natural habitat guarantees them a slightly acidic environment, but now scalars are well adapted to other conditions. Avoid sharp edges in the aquarium (cichlids will be injured). But do not put moss there, they will still eat it, plants with large leaves (Amazon, nymphaea) are better.

Filter the water and set the filter (an external filter is better) to moderate mode, as the abundant flow of water can cause panic attacks, which will affect the health and well-being of the fish (they spend a lot of energy from nerves, useful substances are consumed faster and “fly off into the pipe” ", That is, do not benefit). Change daily water by about 20% of the total. Cichlids do not like harmful substances that accumulate in water. Angelfish prefer pure water. This condition is relevant especially when young animals appear in the tank.

Cichlids live in pairs; they are usually monogamous. Angelfish can spawn in an aquarium (where there are other fish), but its safety is not guaranteed. Typically, angelfish eggs are placed vertically. This can be non-sharp fragments of pipes, plexiglass (even the wall of the aquarium), a piece of driftwood, and so on.

Cichlids are caring parents. They protect caviar. When hatching the young, the female and the male are near, after hatching, courtship continues until the fry swim. Angelfish always choose a partner with great interest. therefore you need to acquire young fish so that you get an even number. And only then they will determine who and with whom will remain.

Before starting to throw eggs, a breeding pair of angelfish selects a cozy place and drives other fish that are nearby. It usually turns out so that all the inhabitants of the body of water accumulate in one corner, and a couple with caviar in another.

Mature age in cichlids occurs in about a year. From then on, they can start spawning. It can occur every 7-10 days if you start to seize it. As a matter of fact, spawning occurs as follows: the female places the eggs in a whole chain (several hundred). Following the male swims and fertilizes them.

The caviar of angelfish is large and bright. Angelfish fan its fins to protect it from harmful accumulations. Unfertilized and dead eggs are eaten. Several days pass, the caviar begins to hatch. Larvae are also attached to the surface and feed on the contents of the so-called yolk sac.

Then another week - and the larvae turn into full-fledged fry, after which they begin to swim. Then comes independent feeding. They consume food for young animals or nauplii artemia (the best choice). Servings of feed should be eaten young in 3 minutes. Feeding is done four times a day. The capacity where the fry are located should be equipped with a filter with a sponge and without a lid (so that the fry do not suck), the power should be medium.

For more information about the features of these fish, see the next video.