Nannakara neon - care and maintenance in the aquarium

Everyone's favorite cichlids can not do without a neon electrician, who is also called Nannakara. Fans and professionals who are engaged in aquariums are sure to hook these fish into the water dwelling. They look beneficial in a species aquarium, do not require special conditions in the content. Usually mysterious blue cichlids are populated in pairs, they successfully exist and multiply. Today we consider everything that affects the presented variety.

Origin

When only data was collected about these fish, it was believed that they met in 1954 in the Soviet Union. In fact, this information does not even have a grain of truth. Representatives of the family lived in Asia.

In the English-language Internet sources you can find references to the origin of Nannakar. All the information leads to the fact that they were supposedly brought from Asia to Singapore, then representatives of cichlids began to fly around the world.

Most likely, Asian origin and habitat are true. However, to this day it is not known who became the progenitor of this breed. It is only known that the electricians descended from a blue spotted acara, which participated in the creation of the species.

Description

1. These fish are loved for external data that are remembered and remain in memory forever. The advantages of neon include sparkling scales, due to which the fish was called a flash, lightning. Nannakara is considered the most suitable option for keeping in large aquariums with a view.
2. It shimmers with all shades of blue, turquoise, silver, greenish. The fish is not lost among other aquatic inhabitants. Evenly painted body harmoniously combined with a gray shade head.
3. This is not to say that the representatives of the family are small. They are in the medium or even large range, depending on whom to compare. Nannakaras reach a length of about 15 cm, however, individuals of 10 cm are usually found.
4. Sexual superiority is poorly expressed, so sometimes it is difficult to distinguish who is in front of you. But this applies only to beginners. Professionals know that females are smaller in size, slightly flattened and tall. The fish is strong and powerful, can compete with large cichlids. Neons live only 5-7 years, if they are given everything they need in terms of maintenance and care.
5. The fins in the anus and on the back are pointed in males. Female representatives are famous for rounded edges. On fins there is a fringing of a golden shade. The whole appearance suggests that the fish is harmonious and colorful, but not artsy.

Content

1. Inexperienced people, just starting to fish, are asking questions about whether it is difficult to care for this family. In fact, with proper theoretical preparation, difficulties do not arise.
2. Fish are peace-loving, hardy, can tolerate temperature extremes, are famous for strong immunity. Nannakaras are good because they require less water than other cichlids. But by nature, fish like to fight for territory, this must be taken into account.
3. If you plan to keep two fish, then choose an aquarium so that about 35-40 liters are allocated to one individual. In cases where it is planned to contain a lot of fish, the calculation goes like this: for one, 30 liters are. This applies only to the content of Nannakar, without taking into account individuals of other species.
4. Take care to properly line the bottom of the aquarium. There are no special requirements for the soil, but we must proceed from the natural features of this family. It is better to choose fine pebbles, quartz river sand, other variations up to 44 mm in size.Cichlids love the aquatic environment with stiffness above average, and this should be the starting point. Soil is selected, for example, coral chips, which increases these indicators.
5. Fish of this family have no predisposition to digging soil and destroying vegetation. Therefore, you can safely choose plants with any root system, without fear for the safety of the assortment. Nannakars are shy, so the plantings should be moderately dense so that the fish can take refuge. They hide in thickets from large cohabitants, if any. But you don’t need to plant everything with plants, allocate a place for swimming.
6. Important attention is paid to the aquarium interior. Again, in temperament, neons are cowardly, which means they need a place for shelter. You can place clay pots, slots, grottoes, plastic pipes and other accessories in the habitat. Bring flat stones into the interior that the fish can spawn on. Driftwood is chosen at will, but a mopane will be the best option.
7. It is important to ensure proper water filtration, therefore, purchase special equipment taking into account the size of the vessel. Fish will be less sick if water is provided with oxygen. Once a week you need to drain ¼ section of the entire volume of liquid, then fill in a new one. For lighting, choose moderate diffuser lamps.
8. You can not ignore the parameters of water, in which members of the family will feel comfortable. In order for the fish to exist successfully, adhere to a temperature regime of 22–28 degrees, a hardness of 6–15 units, an alkaline balance of 6–8 pH.

Feeding

1. Nannakara differs from most fish in that it is particularly picky about food. Neon cichlid perfectly consumes live, dry and frozen food. Separately, it is worth mentioning that such individuals are particularly voracious.
2. While feeding the fish, the cichlid will drive away everyone to get the tidbits. Even among congeners, frequent skirmishes can be observed. The fish will not back down until it is full enough.
3. In priority, breeders recommend giving individuals live food. They eat great cyclops, bloodworms, coronet, artemia, mosquito larvae and daphnia. If you are going to feed the fish with dry food, you must additionally give spirulina.
4. It is also recommended that fish give scalded slices of various vegetables. Such individuals prefer zucchini, cabbage leaves and cucumbers. As soon as the fish eat, they will still scour the bottom of the aquarium in search of leftover food. Nannakars also eat all kinds of crustaceans.

Compatibility

1. Do not forget that neon cichlids belong to predatory individuals, which are often found in aquariums. It is worth noting that the nature of such individuals is formed directly due to the conditions of detention and living.
2. A huge role is played by the spaciousness and spaciousness of the aquarium. Also important fact is the temperament and size of other inhabitants of the environment. Any representatives of the aquarium need proper and proper care.
3. Do not forget that during spawning, cichlids become too aggressive. Do not be alarmed ahead of time. Such individuals will only repel other fish from their nest. And touch the cichlids will be equally sized inhabitants.
4. Neon Nannakars do not injure other fish during aggression. Therefore, worrying once again is not worth it. Such individuals get along well with barbs, scalars, pyrrhulins, mollies, zebrafish, pecilli, tetras, thorns, gouras, catfishes and nannostomuses.
5. If the aquarium is comfortable enough with many different shelters, all the inhabitants will live quite peacefully. Fish will not conflict with each other if each has its own territory. It is worth knowing that it is better not to settle with small representatives of Nannakars.
6. Cichlids perceive any small living creatures as potential food. That is why neon, guppy, shrimp, snails and rassel should not be hooked on them. Otherwise, if you start larger individuals, then the neon cichlid may be in place of the victim.

Breeding

1. Like all representatives of cichlids, neon also spawn. The entire breeding stage is similar to most fish. Such individuals can easily breed offspring in a common aquarium. You do not need to make a special tank for spawning.
2. The considered representatives reach puberty at about 7-12 months. At this time, neon cichlids find their mates. If the conditions in the aquarium are quite warm, then spawning will begin without any additional effort on your part.
3. If you want to provoke the start of throwing eggs yourself, the water temperature must be increased by 2-3 degrees. Also, with independent stimulation of spawning, it is necessary to replace water a couple of times a week. In this case, do not forget to slightly raise the temperature of habitat.
4. As soon as the female begins to understand that the conditions for spawning become favorable, she selects a flat surface for throwing eggs. In this role, driftwood, a piece of clay or stone can act.
5. The female can spawn from 50 to 300 eggs. After that, the male begins to fertilize them. Further, the female provides the offspring with the necessary care. She also does her best to protect the future generation.
6. After the first 3 days, the female moves the eggs into a previously dug hole. After 5 days, the fry are born. At this time, the female violently protects the offspring even from the male.

Neon Nannakars are quite interesting representatives of the cichlid species. They are not so aggressive in comparison with relatives. With the right conditions, cichlids will not have any problems with other aquarium inhabitants.

Video: Nannakara Neon Aquarium Fish