The Malawi blue dolphin or cyrtocara moorii is a member of the family Cichlidae. Cichlidae are commonly referred to as cichlids. The Malawi blue dolphin is just one on many species of cichlids native to Lake Malawi in Africa. Cichlids from Lake Malawi are collectively referred to as African cichlids.
Blue dolphins are quite popular among freshwater aquarium keepers because of their brilliant blue hue. They, of course, are not related to dolphins. They were dubbed dolphins because of a nuchal hump on their head and their elongated snouts which gives their heads a vague resemblance to that of a dophin’s. This hump is present on both the males and the females and continues to grow as the fish does.
This is a docile fish. They do not posses the aggressive instinct prevalent in many Africa cichlids. They make great additions to a community tank provided they are not mixed with more aggressive tank-mates. There are, however, a few considerations to take into account before deciding whether they are the right choice for your tank.
Although the blue dolphin is classified as a medium sized cichlid, they will reach up to 8 inches in length. Experts recommend a medium tank size of 100 gallons for raising blue dolphins. Cichlids are shoaling fish. They travel in groups. It is not advisable to add just a single cichlid to a fish tank. In nature, the blue dolphin is found in shallow waters and sandy substrate. They instinctively burrow in the sand looking for food, although they don’t generally dig up plants. Sand is the substrate of choice when keeping blue dolphins. Last but not least, they are a timid creature. They need plenty of plants and rocks to hide in.
Their native waters are slightly alkaline with a pH level of 7.5-8.0. Water temperature ranges between 72-78?F. Any species native to Lake Malawi will thrive under these conditions. Keep your aquarium with in these ranges and you can expect your blue dolphins to live for up to 10 years.
In their natural habitat they eat small crustaceans that live in the sandy lake bottom. In fact, they often follow behind other fish species that dig in the sand and eat any invertebrates that are dug up. In captivity they can be fed cichlid pellets, flakes, and frozen foods.
The male blue dolphin is slightly larger than the female. There color is often enhanced in the breeding cycle.
The male is territorial toward other members of its species. They have polygamist instincts and travel in harems. A male will mark out his territory and entertain the company of several females. It is recommended to keep at least three female to every male when raising blue dolphins.
Blue dolphins are mouth brooders. The female will keep her eggs safely tucked away in her mouth to protect them. She will continue this practice after they hatch until they are large enough to better survive on their own. The fry will have yellowish-orange anal fin when hatched. This will disappear in a few months. Once the fry are released they can fed newly hatched brine shrimp or dry fry food.
It will take roughly two years for the fry to reach sexual maturity and begin to spawn. At this point they will be 4-5 inches long. Juveniles are silver in color and don’t take on color until they start to mature.
Posted in Pets tagged Blue Dolphin, Snouts, Tank Size by Stephen with No comments
Guppies or Poecilia reticulate are some of the most colorfully decorated freshwater fish available on the market. Robert John Lechmere is accredited with discovering this tiny fish in Trinidad in 1866. Guppies are native to Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela.
Just like goldfish and betta fish, guppies have been selectively bred to increase their coloration and exaggerate their dorsal fins. There are guppy societies devoted to breeding the next generation of show guppies. Some of these show class guppies can fetch a rather high price. The more generic fancy guppies found in fish stores are quite stunning in appearance and not that expensive.
Guppies are docile fish and make the perfect addition to community tanks. To insure their safety only keep them with other mild mannered fish and avoid mixing them with larger varieties who will view them as food.
The guppy thrives in neutral water with a temperature range between 72-83 ?F.
Guppies are omnivores. They can survive just fine on common tropical fish flakes.
Adult males only grow to about 1.2 inches in length. The females can easily reach twice that length. Even with their dramatic difference in size, males have been known to bully the females. To keep domestic violence down to a minimum it is best to have two or three females for every male. Providing plants for the females to hide in is also a good idea.
Breeding Guppies
Guppies are among the easiest freshwater fish to breed. Unlike most fish, guppies engage in internal fertilization. The anal fin of the male is used to inseminate the female. Once inseminated, the female stores sperm in her body for several months. She can produce multiple broods without the need for further fertilization.
Once impregnated, the female will develop a dark spot on her abdomen and the abdomen will start to swell. Guppies are live bearing fish. The fry will emerge from the mother fully developed. The fry emerge colorless. They will start to develop color in a few weeks.
Adult guppies will eat the newly hatched fry. The best way to avoid this is with a breeding trap. Breeding traps are inexpensive and readily available at fish stores. Breeding traps are transparent plastic containers comprised of two compartments. Place the impregnated female in the top compartment. As the female gives birth the fry drop through to the bottom compartment. After the female is done giving birth remove her from the trap. The plastic piece that separates the trap into two compartments can then be removed to give the fry more room to maneuver. The fry can be kept in the trap while they are young. But remember that they are in an isolated compartment for their own protection. Replace part of the water with aquarium water regularly to keep it fresh.
Guppy fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp, or finely crushed dry food. Fry food specially formulated for live bearing fish is available at most fish stores.
Posted in Pets tagged Dorsal Fins, Fish Flakes, Lechmere by Stephen with No comments
The goldfish or Carassius auratus is a genetic mutation of the Crucian Carp (Carassius Carassius). Goldfish were originally a drab olive color. The reddish-orange color was a result of selective breeding in china over a thousand years ago.
The Chinese have bred goldfish since as far back as the Sung Era, approximately 1000 A.D. Goldfish were the first historically documented fish to be domesticated. The modern goldfish was exported to Japan and Korea in 1500 A.D. and made its way to Europe in the early 1600s. It was first introduced to the United States in 1876 and achieved notoriety at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893. The goldfish is one of the most commonly kept fish among freshwater aquarium enthusiast and pond owners throughout the world.
Selective breeding has produced several varieties of modern goldfish including the Ranchu, Celestial, Bubbleye, Comet, Shubunkin and Pearlscal. They come in an assortment of colors including red, orange, white black and calico. Goldfish have been reported to live up to 43 years.
Depending on its specific variety, goldfish can reach an adult length of up to thirteen inches. They are extremely adaptable fish. They can tolerate temperatures anywhere from 50-86 ?F. It is their ability to survive in such a wide temperature range that led to them being raised in fishbowls.
Fishbowls are not suitable environments for goldfish. They need properly aerated adequately filtered water in order to thrive, just like any other fish.
Think of their potential adult size before deciding to add goldfish to your community tank. They need plenty of room to swim and grow or their growth can be stunted. They are acceptable community dwellers. They do have a tendency to pick on smaller fish.
Goldfish will eat absolutely anything you feed them. Although, I have never tried peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.
Breeding Goldfish
Male and female goldfish have identical coloration. The Females are generally wider and have fuller bodies than males. Males have small bumps on their gills called tubercles. The tubercles turn white when the male is ready to breed.
Gold fish can be conditioned to breed. Start by feeding them a high protein diet such as brine shrimp, tubifex or bloodworms. Keep the breeding tank between 65-75 ?F.
Goldfish scatter their eggs. All egg scatterers will eat their un-hatched eggs. Placing a layer of marbles on the aquarium floor will prevent this from happening. You still want to remove the adults from the breeding tank after spawning has taken place.
The eggs will normally turn a shade of yellow. Goldfish eggs are prone to fungus growth. Remove any infested eggs from the tank to prevent spreading. The eggs will hatch in about a week. You can expedite the process by raising the water temperature.
Goldfish fry hatch with their yoke sac still attached. This is normal. No need to be concerned. Newly hatched fry can be fed liquid fry food or powdered eggs. In a few days they can graduate to newly hatched brine shrimp and then finely crushed tropical fish flakes.
Posted in Pets tagged Carassius Auratus, Pond Owners, Temperature Range by Stephen with No comments
The pearl gourami or Trichogaster leeri is a member of the family Belontiidae. Pearl Gouramis inhabit the lowland swap waters of Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand.
All gouramis belong to the suborder Anabantid. The members of this suborder evolved in poorly oxygenated environments. They subsequently developed an auxiliary breathing apparatus in addition to their gills. This lung-like organ, the labyrinth organ, allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen. At some point in the evolutionary process they became dependent on both as a means of survival. They will die without a combination of dissolved and airborne oxygen. This is why they are frequently seen at the water’s surface.
Unlike the paradise fish, the pearl gourami is a timid creature. They are good additions to a community tank if they are provided with plants, rocks and aquarium d?cor in which to hide. There optimum water condition is a neutral pH with a water temperature around 78 ?F.
Pearl gouramis reach a length of approximately 5 inches and have a life expectancy of 5 years.
They are omnivorous. But they tend to function better on a balanced variety of tropical fish flakes and protein whether freeze-dried, frozen or live.
This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning each sex possesses traits specific to their gender such as size and coloration. Males are typically larger and more colorful than females. The males also exhibit an orange tinge to their fins with the exception of the tail fin. Males have a bright orange region around their throat area. This distinctive coloring is not present in juveniles. It develops as the fish reaches sexual maturity. The color intensifies prior to spawning and is used to attract the female of the species.
Breeding Gouramis
Gouramis have a natural inclination to pair up. Gouramis spawn in still water in their natural habitat. Turn the filter capacity in your breeding tank down prior to spawning. The color of the male’s throat region will indicate that he is ready to spawn. A sponge filter works well to simulate mating conditions. And you have the added bonus of not having to worry about the fry getting sucked up into the filter.
Provide plants for the breeding tank. The male will use his labyrinth to build a bubble nest on the water’s surface. He will use some of the provided plant matter to help the nest stay together.
Gouramis instinctively spawn underneath the bubble nest. Once fertilization occurs, the male gourami will gather up the eggs with his mouth and spit them into the bubble nest to mature.
Remove the female gourami from the breeding tank after they have spawned. It is the male’s job to tend to the nest. He will guard and care for the eggs until they hatch. You will find the male a very attentive custodian of his future offspring.
The fry will hatch in approximately 24 hours. They will be free swimming in 2-3 days. It is now time to remove the male to insure that he does not eat the fry. Once free swimming, the fry can be fed infusoria, or rotifers. When they get about a week old feed them powdered fry food, or newly hatched brine shrimp. An economical alternative is powdered eggs. Make sure not to over feed the fry or you will foul up the water in your tank.
Posted in Pets tagged Community Tank, Filter Capacity, Orange Tinge by Stephen with No comments
Seahorses breed frequently in home aquariums. They are prone to monogamous relationships. The courtship ritual between seahorses is a long arduous process that takes several days. Both seahorses’ colors will intensify in the course of courtship. Courtship begins with them swimming side by side while holding each other’s tails. They will wheel around in unison as precursor to spawning. This display of affection has become known as the “pre-dawn dance.” Eventually they will enter into the mating dance that will often continue for as long as 8 hours. During this time the male will pump water into the egg pouch on his truck. The egg pouch will expand and open to display its appealing emptiness to the female. They will then let go of their anchors and drift upward snout to snout often spiraling around each other as they rise. The female will then use her ovipositor to insert her eggs into the male’s brooding pouch for fertilization. The female’s body will grow slimmer as she releases her eggs. The male’s body will swell accordingly. Both seahorses will then sink back down to the bottom and the female will swim away. Scientists believe this complicated spawning ritual serves to synchronize the couple for the deposit and fertilization of the eggs.
The fertilized eggs will become enveloped with tissue and embedded in the brood pouch. The pouch will regulate oxygen to the eggs and act as an incubation chamber. The male’s body will begin producing a hormone called prolactin. This hormone is delivered directly into the pouch. Prolactin is the same hormone responsible for the production of milk in mammals. Prolactin will provide nutrition for the newly hatched seahorses. The incubation period or pregnancy will last from 2 to 4 weeks depending on the species.
The female will visit the male every morning during the incubation period. She will hold the male’s tail and they will wheel around amongst the sea grass fronds in their natural habitat for several minutes. Then she will simply swim away until the next morning rolls around.
Shortly after the fry hatch the male’s body will undergo a series of muscular contractions. These contractions will act to expel the newborn from his pouch. The average release of young is 100-200 newborns. The number can be as low as 5 or 6 or as high as 1,500 depending on the particular species. Males typically expel their young at night. By morning the male is ready to begin the cycle all over again.
Seahorses do not care for their young once they are released from the protection of the brooding pouch. They are simply left to drift away in ocean currents. Fewer than 5 out of 1,000 newly born seahorses will survive to reach adulthood. As bad as these odds may appear, they are actually one of the higher survivability rates among aquatic saltwater species. The fact that the eggs are secure in the protective environment of the male’s brooding pouch until they hatch is the most significant contributing factor toward their survival rates. Most marine species eggs are simply abandoned to be consumed by what ever fish comes across them.
Posted in Pets tagged Home Aquariums, Snout, Unison by Stephen with No comments
The cherry barb or Puntius titteya is classified to the family Cyprinidae commonly known as carp. The cherry barb was originally discovered and cataloged on the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. Sense its discovery this species has established populations in the freshwater bodies of Columbia and Mexico.
Cherry barbs received their name because of their bright red color palette. They are a small, elongated fish only reaching a length of approximately two inches when fully grown. Typically, the upper part of their bodies leans toward a greenish shade with a slight sheen. A racing stripe that varies from a brownish color to a bluish black runs from the tip of their snouts down the entire length of their bodies. Above the stripe is an iridescent band that is generally gold at the front part of their bodies and fades toward blue or green towards the tail. The males are redder than the females. But they do not develop the bright, cherry red coloration they are named for until they enter the spawning cycle. The cherry color is not found among the females of the species. Females are lighter in color and have yellow fins. The female’s body tends to be a lot plumper than the males.
Cherry barbs make good community tank fish provided they are housed with fish that are not large enough to view them as a tasty snack. They are shoaling fish that take readily to heavily planted aquariums. Since they travel in schools in their natural habitat, it is advisable to add multiple barbs to your fish tank rather than a single fish. While cherry barbs do enjoy the company of their own species, they do not congregate as tightly as most barbs or tetras. It is, in fact, not uncommon to see a single barb venture away from the pack.
They are originally from Sri Lanka. Lake Sir Lanka is an island country in southern Asia located off the southern coast of India. Cherry barbs prefer soft, slightly acidic water with a temperature variance between 72-79 ?F.
Cherry barbs are omnivores. They can be feed common tropical fish flakes as their primary diet.
Breeding Cherry Barbs
Cherry barbs breed in captivity. This is a good thing. Their numbers have decreased drastically in Sri Lanka.
Feeding barbs frozen or live meaty foods such as brine shrimp will help to induce the spawning cycle. The male, as mentioned earlier, will develop a bright cherry color when ready to spawn.
Once the male displays his spawning colors, the barbs should be placed in a breeding tank. Barbs scatter their eggs. Like most egg scattering fish, cherry barbs will eat their un-hatched eggs. A good breeding trick is to place marbles in the bottom of the breeding tank. The eggs will slip down in between the marbles and prevent the parents from being able to get at them. After spawning, the adult barbs should be removed from the breeding tank.
The fry will hatch in about 24 hours. The fry can be feed liquid fish fry food developed for egg laying fish. In a couple of days switch their diet to newly hatched brine shrimp or small amounts of powdered eggs. When they reach a week or two in age you can feed them finely crushed tropical fish flakes.
Posted in Pets tagged Freshwater Bodies, Puntius Titteya, Temperature Variance by Stephen with No comments
The black skirt tetra’s scientific name is Gymnocorymbus ternetzi. Tetras belong to the Characid family. Black skirts are also commonly referred to as black tetras or black widow tetras.
The black skirt can be recognized by its characteristic black “skirt”. There is also an albino version or white skirt tetra that is commonly available commercially. These are variations that occur naturally in the wild. White Skirt tetras are often dipped in pastel colors and marketed as fruit tetras. This dying process is counterproductive to the fish’s health. They are much more prone toward illness and have a greatly reduced life span. White skirt tetras have also been made to change color by being fed dyed foods. These tetras are generally healthy and will revert to their natural pigmentation once they start ingesting unaltered food.
The black skirt tetra will reach its adult size of about 2.5 inches when it reaches about one year of age. Black skirts display their strongest coloration when young. As the fish grows older, the black skirt tetra will become duller and fade to a silvery gray. They have an average life expectancy of around five years.
Tetras have a docile nature. They function well in community fish tanks as long as none of the other members of the community are overly aggressive. The tetras species are shoaling fish. They swim in groups. Therefore it is a good idea to add multiple tetras to your community tank. Four to six is ideal.
The black skirt tetra is indigenous to South America. They inhabit subtropical river basins in Bolivia, Brazil and northern Argentina where water temperatures stay between 68 and 79? F. Like most fish that originate from South America, they are accustomed to soft, slightly acidic water. Aquarium water can be filtered through peat. Or water softener can be added to the water. Products such as Tetra’s Black Water Extract can be purchased at most fish specialty stores. This extract closely approximates the conditions of Amazon River water in your fish tank.
Because they are a smaller variety of fish native to predatory waters, the black skirts are hiders by nature. They take readily to heavily planted environments. Black skirts are prone to swimming in the middle layer of your aquarium.
Black skirt tetras are carnivorous in their natural habitat. But in captivity they are not picky when it comes to what they eat. Any tropical fish flakes will do just fine. Tetras are fin nippers by nature. They should not be kept with fish that have long, flowing fins such as Angelfish and Bettas, especially if you have a group of tetras.
Breeding Black Skirt Tetra
They are egg laying fish. They tend to scatter their eggs to increase the likelihood of survival. It is difficult to distinguish the difference between males and females unless the female is carrying eggs. In the reproduction cycle the female’s body tends to be a little rounder than the males. After spawning, adult fish should be removed to prevent them from eating their eggs.
The eggs will hatch in about 24 hours. Black skirt fry are very tiny when they first hatch. The fry can be fed commercial liquid fry foods when newly hatched. When they get a little bigger their diet can be changed to powdered fry food or newly hatched brine shrimp. Powdered egg is an acceptable substitute.
Posted in Pets tagged Dying Process, Water Products, Water Softener by Stephen with No comments
The discus is quite possibly the most popular fish among large freshwater aquarium owners in the world today. They belong to the genus Symphysodon. They are members of the family Cichlidae more commonly known as cichlids. This family also includes another extremely popular species the angelfish. Both are native to the Amazon River system.
There are two individual species collectively referred to as Discus; S. aequiafasciata and S. discus. These two species are further divided into five different subspecies. But this in not a science lecture. Suffice it to say that these wonderfully exotic species are distinguished by their color palettes. They are available in brown, green, blue, red and yellow. Both species have been selectively bred to further enhance their natural coloration. The end result is some of the most beautiful fish you will ever see in a home aquarium.
The Discus is a rather expensive fish as far as freshwater varieties go. You can expect to pay anywhere form $35 to upwards of $200. The price is determined by the size and coloration of the fish. The good news is that they are relatively long lived. Under premium conditions they may live in excess of 10 years. So you will get your money’s worth in the long run.
These are among one of the larger freshwater varieties. They can reach eight to ten inches in length. It is quite possible to raise a single discus in an aquarium. A pair is even better. But a group of six or more allows them to interact as they would in nature. They must be kept with other large species or in mono-species tanks. They will eat smaller fish. Take all this into account when determining if they are appropriate for your aquarium needs. You will require a minimum tank size of 75 gallons if you intend the raise a group.
You should also be aware they are not recommended for amateur aquarist. They are not as tolerant to diverse water conditions as many freshwater fish are. The ideal environment for your discus is soft, slightly acid water ranging from pH 6.0-6.5 and a temperature range of 77-86 degrees. Between the monetary investment and the Discus’ intolerance to less than ideal water conditions, beginners should avoid the temptation to raise them.
When keeping Discus it is advisable to start with bottled or reverse-osmosis filtered water. The water can then be filtered through peat or a thin layer of peat can be added to the substrate. Peat releases humic acid into the water which naturally raises acidity levels. This will help further mimic their native environment. Make sure the peat contains no chemical additives or fertilizers.
The Discus is primarily a carnivore. Aquarium specialty stores sale food especially formulated them. It is a good decision to trust in fish care specialist given the investment involved. They will eat brine shrimp, tubifex and bloodworms.
Discus Breeding It is difficult to distinguish the male form the female Discus. Fortunately they will save you the trouble. They will pair up instinctively. Paired discus should be placed in a breeding tank. Discus will clean a leaf or other flat object to deposit their eggs on prior to spawning. These fish are very protective of their unborn fry. They will stand guard over the fry, and clean them regularly. The fry will hatch about two days after fertilization.
The fry will be free swimming about three days. Once they are they will derive their nutriment by eating by eating a mucous secretion off the skin of their parents. The parents and fry should be left together for the first few weeks. But after two or three days you can start feeding the fry newly hatched brine shrimp.
Posted in Pets tagged Discus Aquarium, Freshwater Fish, World Today by Stephen with No comments
The Swordtail or Xiphophorus helleri is a member of the family Poecilidae in the order Cyrinodontiformes. The sword fish is endemic to both North and South America. Their natural habitat stretches from Vera Cruz, Mexico to Honduras.
The name swordtail is literal. These fish are named for the extended pointed region at the bottom of the caudal fin. This species is sexually dimorphic. The extended tail is found only among the males of the species. The different sexes do share the same color palette. The female is often slightly larger than the male.
Swordtails are related to another popular fish among freshwater aquarium owners, the plati commonly referred to as the southern platyfish. They are so closely related that they can crossbreed with one another and do so regularly in the wild.
Just like their cousin, the southern platyfish, the swordtail’s prolific breeding has wreaked havoc on previously uninhabited ecosystems. Feral populations can be found in both Africa and Australia. This ecological nuisance has caused damage in both its new spawning grounds.
Like many of the fish you see in fish stores today, the swordtail has been selectively bred to increase its appeal for the aquarium owner. Swordtails come in an assortment of colors including orange, red, black, green, yellow and multi-colored varieties.
Swordtails have a good natured temperament. They are the perfect fit for community tanks. They prefer the swift moving water and heavy vegetation of tropical rivers and streams but can make themselves right at home in creeks and canals. Accordingly they can adapt to a multitude of aquarium conditions.
Swordtails thrive in slightly alkaline waters ranging from pH 7.0-7.3 with water temperatures between 72-79 ?F. They can grow as long as 5 inches and have an average life expectancy of up to 5 years.
Swordtails are omnivorous. They are not picky eaters. They can subsist on a diet of nothing but tropical fish flakes but regular protein supplements will help maintain their virility and coloration.
Breeding Swordtails
The Swordtail is a live bearing fish. They share similar traits with other live bearers. The males have a modified anal fin known as a gonopodium that is used to inseminate the female during spawning. They also have a tendency to harass the females of their species. A mix of 2-3 females per male is recommended to curb incidences of domestic violence. Providing plants for the females to hide is also beneficial.
Swordtails commonly breed in community tanks. The urge to reproduce is so strong in this species that the females are hermaphroditic. In populations consisting entirely of females one will frequently transform into a male to insure the propagation of the species. The female will develop a dark gravid spot on her abdomen after she becomes pregnant.
Fry have a four to six week gestation period. They will emerge from the female fully developed. Like most live bearing fish, adult swordtails will eat their fry. This can be easily avoided by the use of a breeding trap.
Fry can be fed newly hatched shrimp brine, powdered or liquid fry food formulated for live bearing fish. An economical and readily available substitute is powdered eggs.
Posted in Pets tagged Caudal Fin, Same Color Palette, Vera Cruz Mexico by Stephen with No comments
Coral Beauty Angelfish or Centropyge bispinosus are members of the family Pomacanthidae. This species is indigenous to the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the Philippine Islands. Most of the coral beauties made available for the aquarium industry originate from Fiji.
This fish lives up to its name. Their heads, upper body region and dorsal fin are bright blue or purple. This primary coloration fades into yellow or orange transitioning into shade of pink at mid-body. Thin vertical banding of the primary body color breaks up this transition. Pectoral fins are typically orange or yellow. Anal and caudal fins are blue or purple. All but the pectoral fins are frequently outlined in neon blue. This species is also sold under the trade names Twospined Angel or Dusky Angelfish.
This is an excellent choice for amateur aquarists who want to own their first angelfish. They have all the exotic beauty one expects in a marine angelfish. They only grow to an adult length of 4 inches. So you don’t need an enormous aquarium to house them. They can be raised in a tank as small as 30 gallons. Most angels carry a moderate to expert care level (depending on the informational source). Coral beauties are one of the hardiest angelfish. These fish have an easy care level so they are perfect for novice saltwater aquarium owners. Regardless of size, most angelfish are labeled as semi-aggressive. This species is among the most peace loving of all angelfish. They may pick on smaller fish or fight with similar looking species as they mature but the do not demonstrate near the instinctive territorial behavior of most angels. More experienced aquarists will enjoy the fact that this species is rated reef safe if it is introduced to a marine reef environment as juvenile and is well fed as an adult. All of these factors make the coral beauty one of the most popular and commonly kept angelfish in home aquariums.
This is an omnivorous species. Juveniles are primarily planktonic feeders. An adult’s diet consists largely of algae. You will need to supply your aquarium with plenty of cured live rock to insure the general health of any marine angelfish. Coral, crustaceans, mollusks and worms comprise the remainder of an adult’s dietary intake. This is why you want to introduce this species to a reef set up when they are still juveniles. The trick is to get them accustomed to aquarium food and algae as their total dietary intake before they develop their adult taste buds. Feeding should take place 2-3 times a day.
Like most angelfish, this is a hermaphroditic species. They are born of indeterminate sexuality. They will then develop into females. In a population consisting exclusively of females the largest, most dominant fish will undergo a hormonal change until it transforms into a male.
Coral beauties are one of the few marine species that have been known to breed in home aquariums. Breeding is induced by the release of a gamete, or sex cell, into the water. The gamete’s presence will make this species feel the need to spawn. Spawning occurs shortly before dusk in their natural environment. In an aquarium spawning is just as cyclic. Spawning will take place precisely one hour before the lights turn off in an aquarium with a timer. The fact that breeding habits make the transition into captivity is truly phenomenal.
Courtship begins with the male dashing around erratically in a pre-mating dance. Once the female is attracted, the perspective mates will then begin swimming side by side. The two will then seek out the most turbulent area in the aquarium. This is generally found next to the power head. The male will rub his nose against the female’s side. The female will respond by expanding her fins in a seductive manner and then dashing off so as not to be thought of as an easy target for the male’s affection.
Once the courtship rituals are completed, the female will release a small clutch of eggs (usually 12-20) one at a time for fertilization. The eggs are left to float away. Juveniles are platonic feeders. Fry must be fed newly hatched brine shrimp in order to increase their likelihood of survival.
Posted in Pets tagged Angelfish Care, Informational Source, Pectoral Fins by Stephen with No comments
