Aquarium fish cockerel - content, care and compatibility with other fish

Fish rooster, or, as it is also called, fighting, is a representative of the labyrinth family. This name in this species is not accidental. The bright color, as well as the militant nature of the "fighters" in some ways resembles the same cocky and beautiful "earthly" cocks. If two males are placed in the same tank, then a real cockfight can begin with loose tails and fins. We need to quickly separate the fighters, otherwise one of them will die. Battles of males are extremely popular in their homeland.

Origin

Fish cockerel leads its pedigree from Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. There these water inhabitants live in small warm water bodies. Therefore, the optimum water temperature for this species is 22-26 degrees. In the silted up standing waters of Southeast Asia, there is little oxygen. Therefore, your aquarium aerator for oxygenation of water is not needed.

At home, no one is particularly interested in the color of the cockerel's fish. Their content boils down to preparing for battles. This is done by special trainers. Look at the battles comes a huge number of spectators. However, most often the death of a fish is not allowed, rather dangling fins.

Description

Fish rooster has an oval elongated in length, slightly compressed on the sides of the body. Its length is up to 5 cm in males and smaller, up to 4 cm, in females. By their beauty and brightness, the "fairy-tale" coloring of their peers is not. At any turn red, yellow, orange, pink, green colors sparkle and play, taking all possible shades. Especially bright color in males when a skirmish with each other.

During spawning, the fish of the cockerel is also "poured" with paint. The females are slightly paler than their cavaliers, the fins of the "ladies" are short and not so luxurious. However, the breeders are working in this direction. Not so long ago, females appeared, whose fins are more elongated, and the color of the body is not inferior to males.

The fish rooster has dark stripes across or along its body. The upper fin and tail of this species are rounded, the lower fin, starting from the head, reaches the tail. The pectoral fins of the males have a pointed shape. It is interesting to observe the fish that are in excitement - the gills in the males swell, forming a protruding "collar" around the head.

The sex differences in these fish are obvious. Cockerel - "boy" is more slender, he is more vividly colored, fins are much longer. Samochki usually smaller, their fins shorter. The main difference between the "chicken" and the cockerel will be the presence of a female near the anal opening of a small white speck - "grains". This education is a little like an outwardly emerging "egg". It has become noticeable since the age of three months.

What else do you need to know after the fishes have appeared in your house? Their content is not such a difficult task.

Content

It will not be necessary to have academic knowledge or special conditions in order to have a fish-cockerel. This kind of feels great even in a small-sized aquarium. Some owners manage to keep one individual in an ordinary three-liter jar. But two males in one "pond" can not get along. True, some owners share long glass aquariums, placing their pets one by one in different compartments. Many people do this because, seeing the rival, the cockerels begin to get brighter, more colorful, they take belligerent poses, trying to frighten and intimidate their counterparts. Samochki are not so aggressive, they can be kept several individuals at a time.

Fish cockerel at home can live in an aquarium at the same time as other species. It is, however, to avoid neighbors with veil fins. Otherwise, the "fighters" will certainly be cut off. It is better to lodge larger fish, with short fins, for example, barbs.

For tropical males it is desirable to maintain the water temperature in the range of 24 to 28 degrees. It is allowed to periodically reduce it to 18 degrees. On the surface of the water should be left open areas, without floating vegetation. Fish need atmospheric air. Special aeration of water is not needed, but it is desirable to pass water through the filter. It is recommended to put the aquarium in such a way that during the day the sun falls on it for several hours. It is undesirable to put it in a draft.

Periodically, you should carefully clean the pond. To do this, either partially or completely change the water. Fish are pre-caught with a special net and placed in a jar. Sanitizing is carried out without the use of powders.

Air

The labyrinthine organ is a distinctive feature of the fishes of the males. This is not a simple addition to the gills - these babies breathe atmospheric air. Make sure that the water surface does not overgrow. Sometimes a bacterial film appears on it, it is easily removed if you attach a sheet of paper to the water, and then just gently remove it.

Cock girls can jump out a lot. So that they do not harm yourself, install a special cover with holes or a grid.

Water

For fish need soft water. Do not use for the aquarium distillate, because it lacks not only harmful, but also useful substances. Specialty shops sell special preparations for softening and purification of water. It is necessary to control the temperature. To slightly reduce aggressiveness and stress, add a little of the therapeutic and preventive salt (half a teaspoon to four liters). Large aquariums need replacing water every two weeks. In the interval it is necessary to change it partially. Small aquariums need cleaning and replacing water twice a week. Be sure to remove the remaining food from the bottom - the products of its decomposition will poison the water.

Feeding

What to feed the fish cockerel? These water inhabitants are indiscriminate. They can eat both dry food and live food. Most of all cockers love bloodlilies. You can give pipe, cyclops, daphnia. Will suit earthworms. To fish did not overeat, remove after 15 minutes after the beginning of feeding uneaten remains. Food should be given once or twice a day.

If you see that pets are overeating, arrange for them one day off a week.

Fish Cockerel: Compatibility

As mentioned earlier, male males can not be kept together. Also it is undesirable to keep together the opposite sex individuals. The male will constantly drive and tear the female.

Did you ever have a cockerel fish for the first time? "With whom does this species get along?" - this question is often asked by beginners. Despite the "fighting" fame, the cockerels are quite peaceful behaving towards their neighbors. Sometimes, however, a male can attack a male guppy, taking him for a relative.

It is undesirable to populate the cockerel to the owners of fine long fins and tails. This will certainly provoke a fighting fish, and it will begin to attack. It is unlikely that the cock will bring the opponent to ruin, but he can bite or cut off the tail and fins.

Often owners of aquariums populate their snails with their pets. Fighting fish can eat small specimens (for this they are usually planted). In larger individuals, males can bite their mustaches. It should be remembered for those who plan to decorate their aquarium with large snails.

Suitable neighbors for fighting fish

What fish do males live with? It can be neon iris, swordfish, pecilia, antsitrusy, brocade soma, tarakatumy, botsii , gurami nagging, acanthophthalmus, pulchripinisy, speckled catfish, gastromises and some other species. It is advisable to consult a sales consultant before purchasing fish.

Undesirable neighbors for males

Akari, piranhas, tilapia, cichlozoma black- striped , ketopoma, tetraodon, parrots, bathing, astronotus - you can not settle with these kinds of fishes. Fighters can attack and tear fins to neighbors such as neon, zebrafish, guppies, cardinals, barbs, and also spotty, pearl and maroon goury.

Reproduction of fowl fish

Spawning should be carried out in a small separate aquarium (from seven liters). The height of the water column should be approximately 10-15 cm. Here, shelters are constructed from aquarium plants and artificial grottoes. The fish of the cockerel (female) will be able to hide from the male, very aggressive in this period.

Producers before spawning should be fed all sorts of live food. Bright light is not needed. In spawning aquarium, do not do aeration - it will prevent the construction of the nest.

Sexual maturity in fighting fish occurs in three to four months. Stimulate spawning can be a great substitute for water. It is heated in the aquarium at 1-3 degrees. Pre-fish "introduce" to each other. To do this, they are placed in adjacent containers to see their neighbors.

For the male, small floating plants are added so that it can strengthen the nest. At the beginning of spawning, starting to build a "dwelling", the cockerel-male releases small air bubbles, gluing them later with their saliva. About a day after the manufacturer was launched, the future mother is attached to him. After the beginning of spawning the male cockerel collects the eggs with the mouth and places them into the nest.

At the end of spawning, he becomes aggressive, attacks the female. Therefore, it should be removed to another aquarium. Cultivates the offspring male - he protects the nest, picks up the dropped eggs, putting them back. After the larvae hatched, the cockerel does not allow them to spread out in different directions, collecting them.

The female can sweep 100-300 eggs at a time. Under normal conditions, spawning begins in a day or two after a couple of males are placed together in an aquarium. It happens, however, that this process drags on for a week. In a day or three, larvae appear in the aquarium. After all the fry appear, and this happens in 4-6 days, the male is planted, otherwise he is able to transmit the frying fry in different directions. In the spawning aquarium, the cockerel, as a rule, is fed with bloodworm. The food must be rinsed thoroughly beforehand.

In fry-mating fry the labyrinthine organ will appear only after a few months. To create good conditions for growing young animals it is necessary to establish aeration. You can lower the water level.

Feed fry infusoria - "living dust." In exceptional cases, you can give a steep egg yolk. However, it is not necessary to abuse such a lure. When the young grows up, it is possible to translate it for feeding with Artemia larvae. Further, the size of the feed is selected taking into account the size of the fry. You can enter into the diet cut pipe or specially developed industrial feed.

Live fighting fishes about three years. In the "elderly" age it is undesirable to use them as producers.

Summing up

Bright and eccentric cockerels can decorate themselves with any home or office. Care for them is simple. In return, they will give many pleasant minutes to their owner.