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The phylogen fish is also called the red-eyed tetra. In Latin, its name sounds like Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae. Due to their attractive appearance, they have become very popular among aquarists. The phylogeny combines black and silver shades. The highlight of the appearance are red eyes, thanks to which the species got its name.
If you keep a flock of 6 or more of these fish in the aquarium, it will attract attention with its metallic luster. The red-eyed tetra is a fairly peaceful fish. In content, she is not picky. This allows you to keep it together with many types of fish. You can start a phylogeny even for those who have no experience in the maintenance of the aquarium.
Habitat
Fish of this species live in South America. A lot of them in Argentina and Brazil. Philomena love clean water, so you can meet them in clean rivers. As a rule, these rivers have dense vegetation. In addition, in these reservoirs there are a lot of surface plants, for example, salvinia and eichornia. Of algae, echinodorus are common here. Philomena can live in troubled waters.
Various insects and crustaceans serve as food for them. Phylomenes that are sold in stores are not caught in nature. In Europe and Asia, there are many nurseries in which they are actively bred.
Description
These fish are quite small - about 7 cm. The body has a diamond shape, like in other tetras. It is silver in color. The base of the tail is black, with a yellow stripe on it. A red spot is located in the eye area.
With an aquarium content, this fish can live about 5 years.
Content
Since in the wild they are used to living in flocks, it will be advisable to contain them in at least 5-6 individuals in the aquarium. In order to provide them with sufficient space, it is necessary to purchase an aquarium of at least 55 liters. It is also important to consider that there are many algae in the natural habitat of the phylogenes. Therefore, in the aquarium they should be enough. It is desirable that surface vegetation is also present. It will provide shade and bring conditions closer to natural.
In order for the fish to have enough space for swimming, it is better to place the vegetation closer to the walls of the aquarium. If you decorate the aquarium with various snags, phylogenes will feel more comfortable. Sand can act as soil, but any one will do. The main thing is that it should be small and have a dark color. Despite the fact that these fish usually live in clean water, you can create an Amazonian biotope for them in the aquarium. At the bottom there may be leaves, peat granules, driftwood. The filter should not create a strong current.
Water parameters suitable for phylogen content:
- The temperature can range from 22 to 28. But when breeding, it is necessary to maintain 27-29 degrees.
- The pH should be 5.6-8.6.
- Hardness range 2-30 dGH.
Although these fish are hardy, it is still very important to regularly change the water. The bottom needs to be siphoned to remove debris. Every week, a quarter to half of the water in the aquarium should be changed.
Compatibility
Phylomenes fit very well into a common aquarium.Thanks to them, it will be much more interesting to watch the aquarium, as they are very active and mobile. The best neighbors for them will be fish that have similar sizes and the same level of activity. They can be kept with zebrafish, barbs, corridors. Antcistruses and some non-aggressive cichlids are also suitable.
It is better not to contain these fish alone. This will lead to the fact that they will become nervous and shy, which is why they will begin to be aggressive towards their neighbors. When kept in flocks, they do not have such aggressiveness.
Feeding
Philomena can eat any food you give them. But so that they are healthy and retain their attractive color, give preference to frozen and live food (for example, daphnia, bloodworm). You can give them granules and flakes. But in this case, it is important to pay attention to the quality of dry food. Sometimes you need to give food, which includes vegetation. The diet should be vegetables and greens: spinach, zucchini.
Gender differences
Males phylomenes have a thin slender body. While females are more round.
Breeding
It is not so difficult to breed representatives of this species. This can be done with a group of fish, or with individual pairs. Each female phylogeny lays 200-300 eggs.
Spawning should have a volume of 55-60 liters. It is necessary to fill in fresh water. It is important that the temperature is maintained at 26.7 - 29 degrees. Hardness - not more than 4. The pH should be in the range of 5.6-6.4. It is important that the light is dim. At the bottom of the spawning, you need to lay moss and plants with small leaves. So that the fish did not eat their own caviar, it is advisable to put a net on the bottom. To create the effect of a weak flow, an air lift filter is installed.
More than one phylogen pair can be launched into one spawning ground. Maximum - 6. Before spawning, future parents are fed with high-quality live food. Such food should be provided within a week. At the same time, females and males are seated separately.
It is necessary to choose the most chubby females, as well as males with the brightest colors. In the evening, they are released into spawning. The next morning there will be caviar. Immediately after this, manufacturers are transplanted. After a day or a little more, the fry begin to hatch. In a few days they will swim themselves.
Video: aquarium fish filomena
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