Aquarium fish scalyery - a joy in every home

Beautiful and elegant aquarium fish of the scalar deservedly enjoy the love of aquarists all over the world. Many of us from childhood remember these lovely creatures with an original body shape and a peace-loving character.

In nature, the scalars live in calm reservoirs belonging to the Amazon basin. They live among thickets of aquatic plants, which serve as natural protection against predators and create favorable conditions for spawning. It is with the characteristics of the habitat associated with the bizarre shape of the body of these fish, designed to wade through dense underwater thickets.

In order to recreate for the scalar conditions similar to natural, in the aquarium you need to set snags and large stones, between which should remain wide slits. Aquatic plants are better to choose hard-leaved and broad-leaved. In places they should form thickets and nooks, but in the aquarium there should be enough space for free movement of fish, both in the horizontal and in the vertical plane.

Aquarium fishes are very sensitive to water quality. They react painfully to any changes in the habitat, and do not endure its pollution at all. Therefore, when these fish are kept, filtration, aeration, and a weekly replacement of thirty percent of the water in the aquarium are recommended. Scalarians do not like unnecessary noise, frightened by sudden movements inside the aquarium and next to it, as well as instant changes in illumination. All these features must be taken into account when choosing a location for an artificial pond, which will become a new home for fish.

The optimum water temperature at which aquarium fish of the scalar feel comfortable - 22-260C. Water is better to use soft, with a reaction close to neutral (pH 6.5-6.9).

It is desirable that the volume of the aquarium is more than 100 liters at a height of 45 centimeters, since the fish should move vertically. But the width does not matter. Scalarians will also be comfortable in a narrow aquarium, since in natural conditions they often live in tight river channels.

Scalarians feed on fodders of different origins. They eat with the same pleasure dry and live food, vegetable food, chopped seafood and meat. If fry of viviparous fishes (guppies, swordfish, mollies) appear in the aquarium, the scalars will also be perceived as food and will begin to hunt on them. Often they eat their own eggs, especially if the aquarium is densely populated. And, although the scalars are peaceful aquarium fish, their adults sometimes eat guppies, neon and other small fish, apparently also considering them to be food.

Therefore, when choosing neighbors for scalaria, it is necessary to take into account the conditions of fish content, their size and character characteristics. They get on well with all the peace-loving species. But it is not worthwhile to settle in one aquarium with scalars of Sumatran barbs and other aggressive fish, which often bite off their long fins. Scalars and goldfish are also not the best neighborhood. Gold need a cooler water temperature, and, in addition, they feed on plants and often eat up all the vegetation that is necessary for scalars to comfortably live and successfully reproduce.

Aquarium fishes of a scalar in nature live in flocks, therefore it is better to keep them in captivity in groups. Growing up, they themselves break up into pairs, which persist throughout life. In nature, these are caring parents, but in artificial reservoirs the reproduction of scalars is a rather troublesome business. The eggs should be protected from other fish, and often the functions of a nanny must be performed by the aquarist. But the reward for care and attention will be a flock of beautiful, healthy and vigorous fish that will brighten and decorate any home or office.