Cockerel fish are attractive in their appearance. Their bright color attracts and makes you peer at the aquarium for hours. However, the character of these handsome men is not simple and therefore it is difficult for them to choose neighbors. Experienced aquarists know with whom the males get along, and with whom it is better not to put them in one aquarium. If you adhere to a number of rules and take into account the peculiarities of males, then this type of fish will delight its owners along with other underwater inhabitants.
Character Features
It’s not for nothing that the males got this name. Their color and appearance really resemble ordinary roosters. And their character is the same - cocky, fighting. As soon as a pair of males gets into one aquarium, then a real battle begins, in which everything happens as in real cockfights.
Roosters are from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia. In these warm countries, fish of the described species live in small bodies of water. These fighters prefer warm water, not too saturated with oxygen. In the homeland of males they are brought not for admiring their chic color, but especially for fighting. There are even special trainers who prepare fish for fights.
Currently, the cockerel is a very popular fish, which can often be found in the home aquarium. But this cocky instance makes it difficult for the owner to choose his neighbors. However, the males can still pick up fish suitable for living together.
It would be better if aquarium brawlers are placed in an environment that is close to natural in its characteristicswhere there will be many plants and places for shelters. In this case, it will be easier for them to get along with other inhabitants. It should be borne in mind that the cockerel is not a territorial fish, but it is calmer in the aquarium to contain only one male and several females.
Females are more peaceful in nature than males, but are unpredictable. Sometimes they can be aggressive towards their neighbors. In one tank, 2-4 females can live.
What factors affect compatibility?
It is desirable that in one aquarium there were a male and a female cockerel. Moreover, on one cockerel there should be two or more females. If there is a desire to add other fish to the aquarium, then you should abandon the brightly colored individuals of other species. Also, fish with veil fins will not work. Often, males take such fish for competitors and boldly enter into battle with them.
Predatory fish will not be good neighbors to badass males. In addition, the latter should not be settled with large individuals, since unequal weight categories can have disastrous consequences for bright handsome men.
Representatives of the Labyrinth suborder do not get along very well in one aquarium - this is worth considering. Of course, you can create special conditions, but still it is better not to take risks. In general, even in the controversial combinations of males with other fish, much depends on certain circumstances and the nature of the species being compared. Often a spacious aquarium is able to smooth out many conflicts between its inhabitants.
When the roosters are shared with other fish, it is important to closely monitor them for the first days. Having noticed the tense situation under water, you should resettle the warring fish.
Whether the fish species are compatible or not within the same aquarium, it is worth looking based on the needs for the same water characteristics. If the temperature does not fit one of the species, then this can cause an attack of aggression and even death.
There is no place next to the cockerels for baby fish less than 4 centimeters long. In this case, the fighters will surely have a desire to show their superiority. As a result, a weaker fish will be the loser.
It is convenient to keep males with other fish in a long aquarium, as they can be easily separated from each other by glass partitions. In such compartments, you can even keep several males. Moreover, with this content, the males become brighter and more beautiful. This is due to the fact that they see rivals and try to intimidate them with saturated colors and warlike poses.
Who can get along with?
In fact, many fish can live in the same aquarium with males. To understand which ones, you can consult with experienced aquarists. Besides, a special compatibility table with males will help you figure this out.
- Molliesia will be a good neighbor for a fighting cock. This dim neighbor is very peaceful, which makes her invisible to males. However, you will have to plant its fry in a separate container so that they are not eaten.
- Angelfish can also be kept together with males, as they are not of interest to them. The only condition is a spacious aquarium. It is worth considering that in the tank there must be shelters. Indeed, during the spawning period, angelfish are aggressive and can themselves attack their neighbors.
- It is possible to share with males also gourami. These fish have pretty similar characters. The neighborhood will be peaceful if they are kept in containers of 80 liters or more. Even if these little fish arrange a chase after each other, do not be scared - these are just games in which no one will harm anyone.
- The cockerel is friends with corridors. It is worth noting that these close relatives of catfish get along well with many species. Friendly cleaners are simply invisible to active vibrant bully fish.A huge advantage is that this species also breathes atmospheric air, which simplifies maintenance.
- Antsitrus have a dim color and are characterized by a calm character. They are great neighbors for many fish species, including males.
- Neons are also suitable as neighbors, but different temperature conditions can prevent them from becoming neighbors.
- The small size and soft coloring allows you to hook on cardinals to males.
- Small and fussy zebrafish are able to get along well with males. The latter simply do not see them as competitors.
A good peaceful neighborhood can happen if the company cockerel will be lalius or makopod. In addition, colorful fighters will be able to live peacefully in an aquarium with brocade catfish, cockroaches, acanthophthalmus, pulhripinnis, speckled catfish, gastromison and some other species.
In any case, before choosing the appropriate inhabitants for your aquarium, it is advisable to ask for help from a sales assistant.
With whom is cohabitation possible, but not very desirable?
There are fish with which males can, of course, cohabit, but this is best avoided or create special conditions for each species. For example, a botsia is suitable as a neighbor to fighters if it lives in a group of up to 8 individuals. And also for them, the presence of decorative elements in the aquarium is mandatory. Otherwise, a normal life is not guaranteed to them.
Punishment can live with males thanks to its agility. It is this quality that allows them to simply run away from offenders in conflicts. However, it will be necessary to establish various shelters so that they have a place to hide in case of danger.
Tetra, if she is a loner, is aggressive, therefore, in order to avoid conflicts with males, it is advisable to settle representatives of this species in flocks. Algae and various decorative elements also contribute to cohabitation.
The neighborhood with guppies will not be the best. Firstly, these fish need different characteristics of aquarium water, and secondly, during races guppies can remain without their chic fins.
It is undesirable to settle fighters with barbs, swordsmen, goldfish, and some catfishes. These fish species are best kept separately with males. With a strong desire to make their neighbors a good option, this will be the launch of fry of the desired species of the same age with fry of males. They will get used to each other since childhood and will not compete.
Pecilia and thornsia can coexist, but only if special conditions of detention are created.
With whom is the neighborhood contraindicated?
In no case can not be hooked to snails. The fighting character of the fish tells them that small individuals are great for food. Although the males can cause harm to larger specimens of mollusks, for example, bite off their antennae.
Shrimp is also not suitable for the neighborhood with the handsome. After all, predatory males will certainly want to feast on them. From this it is worth concluding that it is not necessary to lodge with them all very small fish and other harmless inhabitants of the aquariums.
Peaceful life will not work in males with black-striped cichlasoma, discus, vivid parrot, eel, astronotus.
Basic content rules
Keeping unpretentious males is absolutely straightforward. Proper care will allow bright pets to please with energetic dances for a long time.
- The temperature of the water in the aquarium can range from 18 to 25 degrees above zero. This range allows you to easily select the most optimal mode for both bullying and their neighbors. However, it is important to avoid temperature surges, which can lead to diseases in this species of fish.
- The atmospheric air is suitable for males, as they breathe in a labyrinth organ. However, the air temperature should be as close as possible to the temperature of the water, otherwise the fish can get diseases.
- Aeration is not needed, it is especially important to consider this when picking up the neighbors' cockerels.
- Water must be changed at least once a week in an amount of 20% of the total capacity of the aquarium. It is also important to clean the bottom of the dirt.
- Vegetation in an aquarium with cockerels should be chosen with soft and delicate leaves, so that it could not harm the lush cock fins.
For compatibility of the cockerel with other fish, see the next video.
