Tetradones (tetraodones): types and recommendations for content

For many years, the aquarium has been a beautiful piece of furniture that can be found not only in private apartments, but also in social facilities. An artificial pond not only aesthetically decorates the room, but also has a beneficial effect on the climate and atmosphere. In order for a pond to please its owners with beauty and decorativeness, it is necessary to spend a considerable amount of effort, time and financial resources.

In specialized stores you can buy not only the necessary decor items, but also all kinds of aquatic inhabitants. Professional aquarists are constantly in search of new exotic species. One of them are tetraodones.

Tetradon (tetraodon) is an exotic aquarium fish that belongs to the family of pufferfish, and is also one of the representatives of omnivorous predators. In natural tropical and subtropical reservoirs, experts count about 200 species of this family. Most often, this species can be found in the waters of Asia, Africa and Oceania. In comfortable living conditions, pets can please their owners from 4 to 7 years. The behavior of representatives of this species is characterized by increased aggression and conflict, as well as unwillingness to establish contact with other inhabitants of the reservoir.

The peculiarity of the representatives of the family of pufferfish - body shape change depending on the internal emotional state. A calm and balanced state is characterized by an elongated body, but even with the slightest psychological differences, the aquatic inhabitant swells and becomes like a huge ball with sharp spikes. A special bag under the digestive system helps to turn into a ball of fish, into which a large amount of water gets into the moment of fright.

The entire surface of the skin is covered with sharp spiky outgrowths that fit tightly to the body. In this species, the scaly layer and ventral fins are completely absent, and the dorsal outgrowth is located closer to the tail. Due to the presence on the large and powerful head of a small oral cavity and fused jaws, the tetraodon received the second name - four-toothed. The peculiarity of the structure of the jaw allows fish to chew almost any food. Another external feature is large and convex eyeballs and the presence of peripheral vision.

The color scheme of this species is very diverse and depends on the characteristics of the subspecies. The most popular shades are brown, green and yellow. The surface of the body is decorated with a wide variety of spots. The hue of males is usually much brighter and richer than females. The body length of an adult is in the range from 5 to 80 cm.

Tetradon has a large number of subspecies specimens that differ in size, color and character traits. For keeping and breeding in artificial ponds, professional aquarists recommend paying attention to the following types.

• African - fish, which in natural conditions can be found in the territory of the Congo. The average length of adults is 10 cm. The color palette of the skin is represented by all shades of yellow and brown. A distinctive feature is the presence of yellow spots and stains.
• Eight - Unusual fish were brought from Asia (from the Sunda Islands). This species got its name due to the presence on the back of two spots that resemble the figure eight. The main colors in the color are dark brown and black. The belly zone always has a white tone. Each individual has individual yellow spots and stains on the entire surface of the body.

The average body length is 11 cm. The body size of females is always larger than that of males. Adult individuals are aggressive and belligerent in nature, which gives them the opportunity to protect their offspring.

• Green - The most popular and beautiful view for breeding in artificial ponds, which requires increased attention. Color - yellow-green with shapeless spots. The maximum body length can reach 20 cm. Newborn fry feel comfortable in fresh water, but adults need a salted habitat. Like all tetradons, the green species is very aggressive and toxic, the proximity to it is contraindicated for many fish.

Pisces have a high level of intellectual abilities, as well as the ability to recognize their owner. A distinctive feature is the constant growth of teeth, to adjust the length of which it is necessary to regularly feed the pet with solid food.

• Dwarf (yellow) - A beautiful view that has a golden and shiny body color with green or brown spots. The natural habitat is India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Indochina. This species does not grow more than 6 cm. Male individuals have a red belly and a bright body color. Healthy offspring from this species can be obtained even at home.
• Kutkutia - a dangerous and very poisonous species that can grow up to 20 cm. The color shade is yellow or green with rare spotting. When placing this type, it is necessary to observe maximum caution and care.
• Fahak - a large view, the length of which can reach 50 cm.This species must be settled only in very large aquariums and artificial reservoirs. The natural habitat is the waters of the Nile, Niger, Gambia, Chad, etc.
• MBU - The largest species that can grow up to 80 cm. The natural habitat is African water bodies. This species can only be seen in special aquariums due to its large size and the presence of poison, not only in thorns, but also in the pulp.
• Suvatti - a freshwater pig-nosed species that lives in the rivers of Asia. Features - gray-brown color and the presence on the surface of the head spots in the form of an arrow. Habitat - thickets of the seabed, where fish practically merge with the ground and track their prey.
• Red-eyed - a tiny and clumsy fish, the length of which does not exceed 5 cm. The entire surface of the body is covered with hard skin, and the beak-shaped mouth of the fish is used to gnaw shells of marine inhabitants. A distinctive feature is red eyes.

All species of puffer fish get along very badly with other inhabitants of the reservoir. To protect their territory, tetradons organize regular fights and brawls, which often lead to the death of rivals. To minimize conflict situations, this type is best kept in a separate container and not combined with other types. If this is not possible, then the most comfortable neighbors for this species are otocinclus and giant shrimp. The size of all neighbors who must be able to move quickly should significantly exceed the length of the tetradon.

For a change of living creatures in the pond, some aquarists, along with the fry of the tetradon, purchase tributes, ribs, rainbows and discus. Joint growth and development of these species significantly reduce the aggressiveness of tetradones, but when the first signs of fin deformation appear in other aquarium inhabitants, the experiment must be stopped immediately.

Before deciding to purchase a poison tetradone, it is necessary to carefully study the intricacies of its contents and the rules of care. Experts do not recommend touching the body of the fish, which is covered with toxic mucus, with bare hands. Due to the complexity of the content novice aquarists it is better to completely abandon this type of fish or give preference to less whimsical dwarf and green subspecies.

For a comfortable stay tetradona you need to purchase an aquarium, the volume of which not less than 100 liters and has rectangular shape. Water inhabitants negatively relate to temperature fluctuations and prefer to be in water, the temperature range of which is from + 22 to + 28 degrees. Acidity level must not exceed 9 units, and water hardness should not rise above 21 dH. This species does not feel well in fresh water, so experts recommend salting it a little.

The level of illumination does not play a big role in the life of this species, but experts recommend not using bright lighting devices. The light should be a little dim.

To create thickets and sites for spawning in a reservoir, it is necessary to plant the following aquatic plants:

• Wallisneria
• an elodea;
• nymphaeum;
• lemongrass;
• fern;
• duckweed;
• riccia;
• cryptocorin.

It is better to use finely colored colored pebbles as bottom soil. To give the pebbles a beautiful brown hue, aquarists recommend burying several oak leaves in them. Cleaning the bottom with a siphon must be done daily.To reduce the water temperature in the summer, it is necessary to put plastic bottles with ice in the tank.

To decorate the reservoir, as well as to create additional places for refuge, experts recommend using artificial locks, snags, decorative fragments of various objects and beautiful stones.

To maintain stable and comfortable living conditions for fish, each aquarist should have the following equipment:

• filtration unit;
• compressor;
• heating and lighting devices.

If the basic sanitary and hygienic requirements are not observed, aquatic inhabitants may develop internal parasites that penetrate the intestines along with dirty water and poor-quality live food. New residents of the reservoir who have not passed all stages of quarantine can also become a source of disease. This type of fish has a high level of sensitivity to nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. Experts recommend carefully studying the first symptoms of poisoning:

• enlargement and redness of the fins;
• frequent ascent to the surface;
• constant feeling of lack of air.

For the stable growth and development of tetraodone, as well as for obtaining healthy offspring, special attention must be paid to the diet of pets, in which protein feed should prevail. The protein sources for fish are the following ingredients:

• snails;
• small shrimp;
• bloodworm;
• daphnia;
• pipe maker;
• fry;
• water worms;
• small crustacean species;
• beef liver;
• fresh meat.

To maintain the vitamin-mineral balance, fish should receive dry food for predators, as well as special vitamin complexes. The amount of feed must necessarily correspond to the type and age of the fish. In case of violation of the nutrition system, as well as in the case of an increase in the amount of feed, obesity can develop, the first sign of which is a bloated stomach and faded color.

To prevent contact of the fish with the owner, experts recommend using for feeding tweezers. Individuals whose diet consists only of dry food have a significantly shorter lifespan.

It is very difficult to independently obtain offspring from this species. Most subspecies reproduce only in special laboratories, as well as in their natural habitat. Sexual maturity of fish occurs at the end of the first year of life. The most suitable type for home breeding is dwarf, in which males are significantly larger than females. During the spawning period, males acquire a bright and saturated color, and a red stripe appears on the belly.

One male is able to fertilize several females. The presence of several partners will significantly reduce the aggressiveness of the male. Each female is able to lay no more than 10 eggs. Only one male should be in one spawning ground. If there are two or more males in the same pond, fights and skirmishes will constantly occur between them.

To obtain offspring, it is necessary to plant the selected pairs in a separate container and create the most comfortable conditions:

• increase in water temperature by 2 degrees;
• increase the frequency of substitutions;
• the presence of flat stones for laying eggs;
• the creation of dense plantations of algae.

Responsibilities for the protection and care are taken by the males. 10 days after birth, the fry become completely independent and independent. The first food for newborns is live dust.As you grow, you can diversify the diet of fish with Artemia nauplia, crustaceans and microworms. When creating the most comfortable conditions, the offspring can be obtained from the green species, the females of which can lay up to 300 eggs.

If you do not have experience and professional skills in dealing with complex and dangerous species, experts recommend abandoning the purchase of a tetradon and opt for more unpretentious and simple forms that will bring no less joy and pleasure from communication.

See how to properly maintain black and green tetraodone in an aquarium in the next video.