Siamese algae eater: the keeping, breeding, compatibility in the aquarium

Siamese algae eater – an assistant aquarist, cleaner and algae eater in the aquarium. This little nimble fish in recent years has become increasingly popular. No other underwater creatures can't thoroughly clean the surface of equipment, glass, rocks, ceramic figurines and other interior parts. Tailed nurse easily cope even with such aggressive algae as “black beard”, which does not know salvation or professional aquarists or beginners.

Appearance of fish

A Particular bright colour or intricate shape of a fish Siamese algae eater is no different. Make it often for the sake of practical benefits. Body gray or slightly brownish along the body reaches a broad black band (if you look closely, it becomes noticeable that its edges are slightly wavy). Each scale on the edge has black piping, so the fish clearly visible pattern in the form of a grid. It adds decoration and differs from the other water inhabitants.

The Size of Siamese algae eater in captivity differ from its size in nature. In the aquarium the fish rarely grow more than 10 cm, and in the wild can easily reach 16 cm, this is not the limit. Live little helpers up to 10 years.

Life in nature

The homeland of this kind – South-East Asia. From there it was brought to us for the first time in 60 years. It is also found in Sumatra, Thailand and Indonesia. Prefers to live in fast streams and rivers with a rapid flow. The pond must have a solid rocky bottom. Algae eater timid, likes to hide among driftwood, roots of aquatic plants and mangrove trees.

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For life chooses small streams and creeks. The water in them warms up faster, which causes the development of a basic kind of food – algae and other greenery, which is so loves Siamese algae eater. Keeping and breeding it at home have their own characteristics, but, in principle, not considered a particularly difficult procedure.

About the algae eater

Surprisingly, this seemingly unique fish is “double”. In nature, they often form common flocks, so they are often confused and are imported to us. Name of this lookalike Siamese flying Fox. They are really very similar in appearance, but to distinguish still possible. The real Siamese algae eater longitudinal stripe on the body all the way to the tip of the tail, and about - just before the start of the tail. The edges of the black stripes from flying foxes is smooth, while the hero of the article they are wavy and zig-ZAGS. Mouth about bootblack pink and around it is two pairs of whiskers. At present – only one pair of mustache and dyed it black.

Why bother to look for differences, if these two fish are so similar in appearance? The fact that the false Siamese algae eater for algae in the aquarium is almost indifferent. His jaw is arranged a little differently, so the function of the cleaner he will not perform. In addition, the nature of the fish more aggressive. The flying Fox will never get along with other active fish of the middle water layers – the barbs, neon, skalyariy and others. The only inhabitants who will be able to coexist, they are different surface catfish and zebrafish. They're in the aquarium is a different "floors" and not interfere with each other.

General conditions

Clean water – that's the main thing that requires a Siamese algae eater. Content in General is not different from caring for other inhabitants. Saturation of water with oxygen should be the maximum. Therefore, the equipment for purification and aeration will need a good.

The water parameters the fish is undemanding, the recommended temperature in the region of 24 to 26°, and many other underwater inhabitants. Water hardness should be kept in the range of 10-20 dh, and the acidity should be pH 6-7. Additional lighting for a Siamese algae eater in the aquarium is not mandatory, but it is important to algae on which fish feed. So it is enough to create conditions for the growth and development of greenery, and her “favorite” will be satisfied.

Requirements for aquarium

This little fish very active. Vodorosley love to play, they are hyperactive and mobile. But for a free swimming fish need a lot of space. So the aquarium is preferable to select low and long. And it grows more densely, and the inhabitants feel more comfortable. As already mentioned, for the algae eater is important is pure water. Therefore, the filter will have to purchase a good and the best external. Some people buy special equipment to create water currents, but not necessarily.

The aquarium, which is home to Siamese algae eater, have to be cover. This fish is very Jumpy. During the day she likes to relax on the upper leaves of aquatic plants, occasionally jumping up over the water. For this restless also important is the availability of shelters – driftwood, thick stems and dense leaves. It is recommended to plant the aquarium with different typeswater moss. Siamese algae eater loves to eat it, along with the harmful algae on the glass and equipment.

Behavior in the aquarium

As already mentioned, this fish has high activity. It seems that the guest of Siam is constantly in motion, but it is not so. Its air bladder is poorly developed, so the fish have to rest every minute. Here for what is useful and snags, large rocks, ceramic decorations in the aquarium. Especially like the fish lie near the surface of the water on broad leaves. It is recommended to keep at least one big Bush of aquatic plants with large thick leaves, covering the surface of the water.

Hobbyists and especially their children excitedly watch as the Siamese algae eater is feasting. Photos and videos of the fish taken by eating algae, turned into a meme on the Internet. To cope with this awesome individual even with most running green slime, which you cannot resolve in other ways. A tireless worker like mouth sticks to the surface and begins "to vacuum" until cleaned of algae.

Sometimes he might get a plaque with leaves or driftwood directly on the volley, slightly hanging, but not prikazivati mouth. The spectacle is fascinating and fun, and that's only the Siamese algae eater.

Compatibility

The Hero of the article – peaceful fish, you can keep it separately so small flock. Algae eater perfectly coexist in the same aquarium with neighbours and not cause them harm. But there is an important caveat: it is not recommended to keep it with valetime fish. Developing fins can remind vodorosley aquatic plants, and he wants to taste them. For example, slow vualehvostki will not be able to protect your gorgeous tail from this smart lover's taste all that sways and trembles. And although the algae eater is not aggressive in fact, the content of these types together can cause problems.

Swift “Chinese” sometimes a bother timid fish. For example, dwarf cichlids can be under stress because of their active movements. However, experienced aquarists have noticed one fact: in the presence of algae eater cichlids will spawn. The stress in this case causes them to procreate. Some even use this technique to encourage certain species to spawn: hooked restless neighbors in liquor at the time, and after the process of spawning and fertilization is deposited.

Feeding

It is believed that Siamese algae eater only eats algae, but this is incorrect. Many experienced aquarists even deliberately not finish feeding these fish, and then wonder why they begin to get sick and die. Of course, algae in the diet include even occupy a large part of it, but more food is also needed. In nature algae eater not only eats underwater vegetation. Usually calories from algae enough to fry and juveniles, and grown-up individuals prefer live food.

In the aquarium “the Siamese" will willingly eat spinach, zucchini and cucumbers, pre-scalded with boiling water. Also suitable dried live foods – gamarus, Daphnia. Even the usual fish “chips” and the flakes will not leave indifferent the fish.

Many inexperienced aquarists believe that if you finish feeding the algae eater, it will not perform its main obligations – to eat algae. In reality, the opposite is true! Weakened hungry fish with impaired metabolism do stop to eat, and then very soon die. Do not be afraid to overfeed the fish. Extra Siamese algae eater will not eat, and on a full stomach to clean the aquarium will be even better.

Sex differences

The Gender of these fish is extremely difficult to distinguish. For juvenile and young individuals, this task is unfeasible. Adult representatives of the female is larger with a rounded belly. Also, if you watch the fish, the females are less active, they often lie on the driftwood or leaves. Aggression vodorosley if shown, it is females. They are more nervous, unable to ward off other fish from their corner with delicacy. The males do not even defend their territory, as in other species of fish.

Reproduction in nature

Siamese algae eater – migratory fish. During the spawning period, which typically coincides with the dry season, members of the species flocks go upstream. The water level drops sharply, the current decreases, only to hand underwater creatures. Shoals of fish overcome great distances, reaching the spawning grounds. For spawning choose backwaters, where the water level higher. After the mating ritual, it is returned.

Rising water level helps the survival of the fry. To throw the same game in shallow water unsafe. There is also a multiplication plays the role of abrupt change of water parameters. These conditions are required for procreation Siamese vodoroslei.

Breeding with the use ofhormones

It is believed that in captivity vodorosley do not reproduce. In fact, to achieve the appearance of the offspring can be, but this is a laborious process. To do this, hold a special hormonal therapy. Drugs to get in the free market is problematic, the special admission is necessary. You can try to get them through a friend of the vet working on rybokompleks or farm for the rearing of fry.

However, some hormones can not do. It is necessary to substantially change the water parameters – make it soft with neutral acidity. But even at observance of all these conditions is the fact that fish will be spawning. Moreover, these changes of parameters can badly affect the other inhabitants of the aquarium. Therefore, for aquarists the obvious answer is – breeding Siamese vodoroslei in captivity is pointless. They are not very expensive. It is easier to get new individuals as appropriate.