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Pelvikahromis pulcher is a very small aquarium fish, but its unusual color with bright iridescent flowers makes it stand out among its brethren. Thanks to its cheerful color, this fish is called the "parrot." She has another name, not so difficult to pronounce, - "cribensis".
This species belongs to the cichlid family, and it came to European aquarists from the Nigerian and Cameroonian rivers, with obligatory dense vegetation at the bottom in combination with open spaces.
Pelvicachromis pulchera has an oblong body with multi-colored spots. A dark line crosses the scales along, the edging highlights the fins.
Dimensions:
- At the female - up to 5 cm;
- In a male - up to 8 cm. They also differ from females with the pointed ends of the spinal and anal fins.
On average, their life span is 5 years.
The life of the "parrots" behind the glass
Those fish that are intended for sale, most of them are bred in artificial conditions, therefore, getting into the aquarium for a permanent place of residence, they are already able to live in containers, and they take the limited space for granted. Only water should not be excessively hard, it is required to monitor a certain temperature regime - from 23 to 27 degrees. Aeration and filtration are also needed, experts suggest doing this through peat.
When choosing an aquarium for cribenses, you need to consider their number. If this is only a couple, then a 40-liter capacity is quite enough for her. But for the whole flock, the aquarium should reach 150-liter volume.
The bottom must be filled with various caves, grottoes, that is, shelters must be, then the pulvikahromis to pulchera will be comfortable and cozy. There should be plants, preferably those that do not need bright lighting. By the way, their fish do not tear from the ground, showing complete indifference to green spaces.
As a soil, they prefer sand or gravel. But there is a special requirement for gravel: its edges should not be sharp, since fish often delve into it. They inhabit not only the lower layer, but also on average.
Pelvikahromis pulcher likes to frolic in the water, because in order to avoid disaster, the aquarium should be covered.
There should still be driftwood, stones at the bottom. And not only because then the conditions are more approximate to the natural ones, but also for one more reason. Each couple should have their own clearly delimited territory, and there must be several, for example, flower pots on which the bottom needs to be removed.
The family protects this border, and if suddenly the owner of the aquarium miscalculated, and one couple was without their own possessions, conflicts will be inevitable. The couple settles in the pot when the male reaches a 5-centimeter length, and acquire their beautiful color. There are no fry yet, the territory is protected in a radius of 10 to 15 cm, and when the babies appear, the security zone increases.
Sometimes it happens that parrot fish leave their homes too rarely, and if they go out, they almost immediately fearfully hide. To help them, it is advisable to plant small fish in the aquarium - mobile and unpretentious. For this, barbs are ideal.
When is the time to feed ...
The natural food of these fish is worms, insect larvae or small invertebrates. Therefore, several times a week you need to give them live food. It can be daphnia and artemia. Live food is required in order to stimulate spawning.
Plant foods are also essential in the diet. This includes spirulina food and even cucumber. Fish like industrial products - pills, granules, cereals.
During feeding, it is necessary to ensure that all inhabitants eat, and not just those who are used to being in the upper layers. Pelvicachromis pulcher, who finds food at the bottom, must also get food.
Life with sharing
Kribensis are quite peaceful, but when it comes to spawning, trying to protect the territory from encroachment, they become warlike. To avoid battles, they need to select neighbors:
- preferring a different layer of water;
- almost the same size;
- fast floating.
It is worth paying attention to the swordsmen and the Congo, zebrafish and mollies. Of the barbs, the most acceptable are mossy and Sumatran.
Most diseases can be prevented
Diseases in pulvicachromis of the pulcher occur most often due to poor-quality care. First of all, it is dirty water, changes in its parameters that are not suitable for the pet. Poor feed also provokes various diseases.
The most dangerous disease is hole disease, or, in scientific terminology, hexamitosis. Its name is due to the fact that a small depression appears on the head of the fish, and then a white coating spreads. The younger generation is still too weak, so it quickly dies, and the adult often has a chronic form of the disease.
For the new generation - the road
Young fish are usually worn in a cheerful flock, but eventually find a partner. Moreover, couples remain faithful all their lives, and therefore it is not recommended to break them.
To encourage spawning, you can artificially create conditions:
- raise the water temperature to 28 degrees;
- give live food.
During this period, the coloration of pulvicachromis of the pulcher significantly acquires a brighter color. The female seduces the male with her graceful twists and turns, gradually pushing the future father into shelter. There will soon appear up to 300 eggs, which are attached to the walls. This place is now constantly under guard: the female is near the eggs, the head of the family is serving at the entrance. This period lasts up to 6 days.
Then the larvae, having left the shell of the eggs, showered at the bottom of the shelter. There they will spend from 4 to 6 days.
During this period, such difficulties may arise:
- The couple start a quarrel. So, you need to jail someone who is offended.
- Parents eat eggs. Caviar itself is taken into a separate container, providing aeration and filtration there.
Feeding young animals is easy. This is mainly live dust, and a week after hatching - artemia. You can give them crushed flakes, but they must be of high quality. Toddlers are growing fast. Up to 4 months, their color is just a small dark speck. Gradually, month after month, stripes appear on a light background. But then the usual bright colors appear, as well as all the habits inherent in adult fish. Usually they grow together, and almost never have to sort.
If there is an interest in more intensive breeding, the eggs placed in the pot are sent to the incubator, providing a sprayer nearby. The first feeding will be after the fry swam. With this method, parents will lay eggs more often.
Video: aquarium fish pelvicachromis pulcher
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