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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FISH FAMILIES

Cyprinidae

From the point of view of aquaristics, popular tropical carp fish can be divided into many well-known genera: barbs, danios, ditches and morullis. The main part of the barbs was previously united under the generic name Puntius . Revision of this genus and its division into four new genera of barbs with names that were already partially known in science was undertaken by the American ichthyologist Leonard P. Schultz: this is the genus Barbus and the closely related genus Barbodes, the genus Capoeta and the long-known genus Puntius . Many scientists and authors of books and articles use this systematization, but others refer to the work of Myers emphasizing that such a distribution (by the number of available antennas) is not based on actual signs of difference and is just a permutation. Other genera and species belong to a large family of cyprinids, such as the famous goldfish, which, incidentally, plays a very minor role in modern aquaristics. Most carps have a mustache, one or two pairs located around the mouth. As already mentioned, the whiskers were the defining feature in the new attempt to distribute carp by species. The mustache helps the fish to dig in the ground in search of food. There is no fatty fin in cyprinids. When catching prey they manage to push the snout quite far forward. Barbuses are found exclusively in the Old World, that is, in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Black color shows the distribution of carp

Many of them live in shallow waters of slowly flowing rivers, and almost all of them are beautiful and strong aquarium fish. Some feed mainly on plants, like, for example, horselike barbs, which can only be kept in a separate, intended for them aquarium. To the hardness of water barbs do not make any special demands, but it must be well filtered. As schooling fish, they feel particularly well in the community of their kind. Since they all day scurry about the aquarium in search of food without neglecting algae, they are always in good shape. Receiving live food, they show all their natural greed and liveliness. At the same time they eat dry and sublimated, and fresh-frozen food. Many kinds of barbs are easy to reproduce. They are prolific, and the number of eggs is very high, resulting in barbs and have become one of the most inexpensive aquarium fish. As they devour their own eggs, a spawning sieve should be placed on the bottom of the aquarium. Glass balls (close to each other) Friend y ).

Pisces morulius, like the Siamese epalceorinha, similar to them , is often reckoned among the Vuinov family, but this is not true, although, in fact, these fishes also lead a benthonic life. Reproduction of them outside the limits of East Asia has not been described anywhere. For a long time the most famous representative of the Karpov family was a goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus). A subspecies, centuries ago derived from silver crucian carassius (Carassius auratus gibelio). Once upon a time these very capricious fishes were kept in ponds or glass vessels, where they spent their days in clearly not ideal conditions. Recently, for a simple goldfish, there are no more places in amateur aquariums. It was replaced by vealechvosts, telescopes, lionheads, and as they are not yet called! Pisces, whose "reproduction", fortunately, is not practiced by many aquarists. Their reproduction and content Experts are engaged in special rules and standards. In addition to red and gold, we find among their pets blacks, whitish, and variegated individuals; There are also fish, devoid of scales. The goldfish belongs to the so-called cold- water fish, but it can be quite hardy and carry a high water temperature. But this does not mean that it is necessary to consciously maintain the water temperature higher 15 ° C! Goldfish are omnivorous; All day they scurry about the aquarium, dig in the ground, put their nose in the plants. Therefore, it is very difficult to keep an aquarium with goldfish so that it is beautiful and biologically harmonious. These fish can soon turn water into a muddy broth, and therefore it is necessary to provide high-quality, strong filtration. High-breed vailechvosts and astrologers, selected by breeding, are particularly sensitive to unexpected water changes, but on the other hand, it is in those aquariums where they are kept that it should be changed especially often. They do not just eat everything, but they are also many, not ashamed to pluck and aquarium plants. They need as often to get a variety of live food, as well as all the rest, and even more valuable aquarium fish.

Breeds of goldfish
	Lionhead ( Ranchu )
	Voilehvost ( Kaliko )
	"Little Red Riding Hood" ( Taychyo )
	Telescope ( Kaliko )

One of the most notable species of barbs in our aquariums is the shaly ball (Balantiocheilus melanopterus). His homeland is Southeast Asia, including the Great Sunda Islands. These fish of amazing beauty are known for their stamina and incredible gluttony. In the aquarium it is necessary to contain several of their specimens: these are schooling fish. Since from the point of view of aquaristics they can not be counted as "dwarfs", they can only be launched in a large aquarium (for young animals - starting with 80 cm). When they grow older and increase in size, you need to move them to a tank of even greater capacity. If these fish still live in a small area, the top cover is recommended so that they do not jump out. They can become accustomed to someone else's society only under certain conditions: the fish with which they live should be large and strong. Plants planted in the aquarium, too, must be powerful, with hard leaves: these barbs gladly bite them. It is advisable to use only a small number of plants for decoration, and the main elements of the decor make stones and roots. In general, a shark ball can eat almost any type of food. The qualities of water for him are of decisive importance. The temperature is 24 - 26 ° C, the hardness is medium (to soft): 12 - 16 ° dH, the pH is slightly below the neutral mark - and these fish will be healthy and cheerful for a long time.

Balantiocheilus melanopterus

If the aquarium, where they are kept, is really large, then they can grow up to 25 cm or more. True, most often in domestic aquariums they do not reach this length or reach too late. As for reproduction, nothing is known. The fish offered by trade are imports (which, of course, affects the price).

Danio aequipinnatus

Unsurpassed favorites of most aquarists are zebrafish . Even it is impossible to imagine that they suddenly were not in our aquariums! They combine all the qualities that attract an amateur in his pets: juicy and bright color, moderate size, liveliness, relative simplicity; In addition, they are not very difficult to propagate. Five species are particularly well established in our aquariums: leopard brachydanio, or danio (Brachydanio frankel), pink zebrafish (B. albolineatus), black danio ( B. nigrofasciatus), zebra zebrafish ( B. rerlo) and Malabar, growing to large sizes ( Danio aequipinnatus, synonym: D. malabaricus). The last of the named reaches a length of 15, and the remaining approximately 6 cm. These fish, in the pattern of the covers in which the blue color predominates, are lively and fun floating around the aquarium in the constant search for food. They are easily accustomed to the society. The aquarium should be planted with strong and not very high plants along the edge, and the middle part can be decorated with roots and several stones. Danio is not very sensitive to harsh water and pH slightly above the neutral mark (7). The average water temperature is about 23 ° C, and in the winter months it can be reduced by about 4 °. But colder water threatens their health! Aquariums, where zebrafish are kept, should not stand in dusky places. The appetite of these fish is very good, which they prove by devouring almost everything that is edible. It is not so difficult to distinguish the sex of a zebrafish when they reach puberty. Females often are somewhat larger than males. The ventral part of the females is fuller, somewhat more distinctly arched downward. For spawning, a tank of 30-40 cm is sufficient for them. It should not be strongly illuminated; At the edges it should be planted with small-leaved vegetation (although for zebra danios it is not necessary). The first to spawn the aquarium is to run the female; Let it in a day get used to the new situation, and then it is necessary to attach two males to it. In the spawning process for fish, it is necessary to observe as much as possible: when the spawning is completed, all fish should be removed from the aquarium, otherwise they will reach it and eat it. In warm spawning water (about 3 ° above normal) the eggs mature within 24 hours. Young is not very demanding. Already a month after spawning it is possible to repeat it.

Brachydanio albolineatus

	Brachydanio frankel
	Brachydanio nigrofasciatus

Brachydanio rerlo

Garrinae - a subfamily of carp. The finfish (Epalzeorhynchus kalopterus) and Siamese ( Ј siamensis) epalceorinha are similar in color; Both originate from Southeast Asia. Both types of mouth are lower, with thick lips. Due to the special form of the esophagus (in the form of a sac), these fish can first collect the seaweed plucked in them, and then transfer them to the stomach. In addition, they can attach to the stone or root in the fast flowing waters in their homeland. These fish are very attractive coloring live in the aquarium for many years, reaching a final length of about 10 cm. As a rule, aquarists run them into their ponds only in order to get rid of the bothered algae. Beautiful fin epalceorinh long known in aquarium, but the Siamese was discovered only in the late 1950's. But this newcomer is much better at killing algae! Unlike his finely-carnal relative to a , this epilationary is a loner, he lives outside the pack. Fish of other species, it does not disturb, and therefore it can be freely attached to the aquarium community. Epalceorinchs are usually found in common aquariums with a sufficient number of plants and at a water temperature of 23 to 26 ° C. They showed themselves to be very hardy and undemanding. True, crafts in the aquarium should be located in such a way that these bottom fish can find enough shelter for themselves.

Epalzeorhynchus kalopterus

The bottom line of life also leads to the Labeo. This genus includes species of fish that grow to very large sizes, but of course only small and bright are of interest to aquarists. One of the most famous Labeo is the two-color Labeo bicolor. Labeo distinguishes the jaws with small horny formations; With their help fish cleanse seaweed from rocks and roots in fast-flowing, shallow waters in their homeland (Southeast Asia). If you ever tried to catch a labo in a net in your aquarium, you undoubtedly noticed their quickness and agility. Aquarium labo can move almost any position of the body. Like fish swimming on their back, they often bite the leaves of plants from the bottom, in the vertical position they remove (especially juveniles) seaweed from aquarium plants Glasses, and sometimes in the manner of some catfish "crawl" on the pectoral fins along the aquarium bottom. Labeo feels well in poor mineral salts, soft water, slightly filtered through peat. Partial replacement of water with an interval of about 3-4 weeks, too, is good for them. The water temperature can be 24 - 26 ° C. Labeo is omnivorous. If the vegetarian food (algae) in the aquarium is not enough, then you need to fill it with additional green food. With the age of the Labeo, sometimes they become boorish. This can only be countered by moving to a large aquarium (100 cm in length) a few fish of the same species and installing shelters for them by appropriate design of the aquarium. And those who, because of lack of space or for other reasons can not provide them with such conditions, can only contain one fish of this species. Most Labeo grow quite slowly and almost never reach their final length (about 20 cm) in captivity. The situation is different with morulius chrysofecadion (Morulius chrysophekadion). Young fish of this species look very beautiful, but grow quickly. But since their final length is about 60 cm, they become giants already in a semi-mature state.

Labeo bicolor

As already mentioned in the introduction to the section devoted to the Karpov family, the American professor Myers points out that the systematization of births by the number of antennas is not legal, and again introduces the generic name Barbus, as Cuvier established it in 1817. Unfortunately, the number and variety of barbs is so great that there is no way to present them completely. A fusiform barby, or glossy barbel ( Barbus arulius), reaching a length of 12 cm, Asian in origin. He belongs to the number of agile schooling fishes, and it is not easy to introduce him into another society: these barbs gladly bite not only the tender green of the plants, but also elongated, Veal-like fins of some fish species. They need medium hardness water and a temperature of about 24 ° C. Reproduction is possible. Body coloration on the sides is silvery, and the back is green; The caudal and anal fins have a red rim along the edge . The dorsal fin of the male is distinguished by long rays. Sineschtrihovy Barbus (Barbus barilioides) originates from West Africa (Angola). Always lively, but not very demanding fish of this kind can not be kept in a small aquarium. They need enough free space to move, so as not to perish. Floating around the aquarium, these schooling fish like to make a small stop, preferably among dense plantations. Therefore, the vegetation along the edges of the reservoir can be really magnificent. At home, these fish live in the coastal zone and therefore are afraid of bright light. If the aquarium lighting is not regulated by you (as often happens), then you can provide the fish with a shadow Using broad-leaved floating plants. The water should be soft to medium-hard, pH - at the neutral mark (7). As a typical child of the tropics, the synestrich barbus does not like temperatures below 23 ° C. It is omnivorous. About reproduction in our conditions, nothing is known. But fire barbs (Barbus conchonius), on the contrary, it is relatively easy to breed. Their homeland is Indochina and Bangladesh; Undoubtedly, they belong to the number of the most beautiful aquarium fish. The color of the females is always a bit paler, but the males - especially during the mating season - demonstrate a glowing wine red dress, also tinted by a black stain at the base of the tail. The aquarium for these large-scaled barbs should be arranged in the same way as for the fish of the previous species. They gladly dig their heads in the ground, which for this reason should be fine-grained and not very light. By the way, therefore it is important to maintain a constant cleanliness of the bottom soil. If you do not want the water in the aquarium to look like a muddy slurry, you should periodically pump out at least its upper layer, as it should be washed, and then placed again on the bottom. In the native places barbs water is always transparent. And in our aquariums, a filter for cleaning is usually not enough, and then it is necessary to interfere with the owner. As mentioned above, the reproduction of fire barbs is not only possible, but also very productive; More than that: of all kinds This breed reproduces with special ease. However, we should not forget that these fish devour their own eggs, and therefore immediately after it is mowed and fertilized by the male, it is necessary to remove the producers from the aquarium. In exceptional cases, these barbs grow to 14 cm, but already at a length of 6 cm they are capable of spawning.

Barbus barilioides

	Barbus arulius, male
	Barbus conchonius, vailechoid form, male

The bar-clown (B.everetti) can reach 12 cm in length. His native places are the peninsula of Malacca and Borneo. If these fish consume a food rich in vitamins, their reddish-violet cover turns to shine particularly beautifully. The coloring of the four-line barbus ( B. Lineatus) is somewhat simpler : a pattern of black lines on a golden-yellow background. Fish of this species are found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, also found in the south of the Malay Peninsula. In length they reach 14 cm. This and other species of barbs are bred in aquarium farms Europe and South-East Asia, and therefore they are very often offered by specialized stores. Cross barbs ( V. lateristriga) live on the peninsula of Malacca (and also in South Thailand) and on some Indonesian islands. They grow to 12-18 cm. The main color is light beige or whitish, but the original dashed pattern is especially interesting on its background. Fins are transparent. These live and fast schooling fish, despite their size, can be called surprisingly peaceful. They prefer a lot of free space; Green plantations in the aquarium should be represented by well-rooted, hard-leaved plants. These omnivorous barbs love medium hardness water and a temperature of about 23 ° C. One of the small representatives of a large group of barbs is called black ( B. nigrofasciatus). These fishes are 6 cm long and are found in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). They are very mobile; Prefer a medium hardness water and a temperature slightly higher than usual for barbs (26 ° C). Reproduction at home is possible and soon brings tangible results. From the Sunda Islands (mainly Sumatra), island barbel ( B. oligolepsis) originate from the island. These crumbs grow at best to 5 cm. For them - small schooling fish - preferable not very dense plantations; Plants must be well rooted. The Sachs are hardy, they can be supported by a beginner. They are satisfied by water hardness from 10 to 15 dH at a temperature of about 23 ° C. Reproduction is possible. Much larger (that is why they are suitable for keeping in a domestic aquarium only while young) bream-shaped barbs ( B. schwanefeldi). These fish of amazing beauty "unperturbed" grow even in very small aquariums. Their final length can be as much as 35 cm! Horselike barbs are painted in orange, with the abdominal and anal fins - especially intensively. On the outer side of the deeply excised caudal fin there is a black band bordered with a thin orange band. To live these fish like in the pack. But that's why taking into account the length of keeping them in a home aquarium is impossible. But they do not die alone, but turn into rude individualists. These barbs are always hungry. Often they, bending their heads, prowl along the aquarium bottom, and here they are just helped by both pairs Mustache! In order for Barbus schwanefeldi to feel well, he needs vegetable supplements to feed. If he does not receive them, he will inevitably start to devour plants (and prefers small-leaved). To plant the aquarium follows only such plants that are well rooted in the ground, otherwise by striking the fins this barboy will tear them from the soil. Combine them in the same reservoir with other species should be very deliberate, because a hungry woodcane barbeque can also dig a small fish. Simply put, you can only run it to large fish. The water temperature should be about 24 ° C, although it should be noted that, if necessary, it can be increased and lowered by several degrees. And in other respects this species is not very exacting. Water should not be soft, and food is good for almost anyone.

	Barbus everetti
	Barbus lineatus
	Barbus nigrofasciatus

Barbus oligolepsis

The most famous, though most aggressive of the barbs is the Sumatran ( B. tetrazona). Amazing coloring - black, yellow and red colors - turned it into the favorite of most aquarists. It is an easily reproducing species with high fecundity, and its own Popularity owes much to the fact that these fish are offered by trade at really low prices. Sumatran barbs also live in a flock. Here there is a clear hierarchy, as often happens in the joint life of many fish families. The aquarium, where these fish are kept, should be densely planted around the edges, but in such a way that there will be enough free space in the center for swimming. The natural separation of the home pond can be achieved by arranging the snags so that they protrude forward. Sumatran barbs should never be placed in the same aquarium with long finfish : they start digging these fins with scalyards, which not only, of course, hinders the latter, but plunges them into panic, and especially in the twilight they begin to beat in the front glass. Already in 1871 a subspecies of a scarlet barbeque ( B. ticto) was described under the name Barbus ticto stoliczkae. From the original form, since then referred to as Barbus ticto ticto, a few years ago a variation of the Odessa red barb was shown, which is already beautiful and juicy The paints became even more intense. True, only males differ in this brightness, and females are painted more in beige-brown tones. The main form is derived from India and Sri Lanka; In length they reach about 10 cm. Contents - see Barbus tetrazona. About a half less grows a cherry barbeque ( B. titteya). These fish are not so strong at all, and when they are kept together with more aggressive species they are easily frightened. Movable fishes 5 cm long are omnivorous; They love heat and can live for a long time at a temperature of 24 - 26 ° C in medium-hard water. They differ in a delicate pink color, which, depending on the light fall, is greenish, and the gill covers and all fins have a bright Red. Spawning can be very productive.

	Barbus tetrazona , young specimen
	Barbus tetrazona , variation "Mkhovy"
	Barbus ticto ticto, variation "Ruby", male

The claims have similar demands on their owners. Almost all of them come from Southeast Asia. A little more sensitive is the popular clinch sorting (Rasbora heteromorpha). The superficial view does not distinguish it from the Hengel 's (Rasbora hengeli), but the latter remains much smaller (up to 3 cm), while the clinch net gain grows to 4.5 cm. In addition, the "wedge," that is, the large black triangle from The base of the dorsal fin to the middle of the body, in the widest place in R. hengeli is only indicated , and in R. heteromorpha it extends to the anterior part of the dorsal fin. The sorts of both species feel good only in very soft water (up to 8 ° dH) and with slightly acidic or acid reaction. Many aquarists consider these fish very demanding. Yes, of course, if transplanting fish from the very soft water of the reservoir tank into the water from 18 to 20 ° dH, then the percentage of unfavorable outcome in sensitive fish will be quite high. Klibopatnistye rassbory is not without temperament! In addition to the free space in the middle of the aquarium, they need to provide lush greenery along the edge, all plants should be thin-leafed: they develop better in soft water than in hard water. Reserves prefer the darkest possible bottom. Possible accommodation with other fish of the same size and the same requirements. The water temperature is about 24 ° C. The lighting is not too bright. Protect the aquarium from strong light can be gentle floating plants, for example, riccia. Klibopatnistye rassoborny omnivorous , but often prefer live food dry. Distinguish them by sex is not always easy. A few larger and more rounded females are distinguished by a fairly straight cut wedge on the front side of the trunk, while in slender males it runs smoothly to the head. For reproduction, especially poor in mineral salts water.

	Rasbora hengeli
	Rasbora heteromorpha

For elongated, about 12 cm long variegation ( R. caudimaculata), golden-ocher spots are characteristic on both blades of the forked tail, in front of its black end. The body of the fish casts silver, and under a certain angle of light, it shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. These sorts originate from Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia); On sale they are 4 - 5-centimeter length. Even in medium-sized aquariums they grow quite slowly. The colorful ( R. kalochroma) from the peninsula of Malacca and some of the Great Sunda Islands is very tender and sensitive. Contain these fish can only be in a large flock, richly planted with plants and an oblong aquarium, in soft water. When they are few, they do not feel so good anymore, they do not behave themselves so much, and even their color turns pale. (Not all aquarists are of the opinion, but I was convinced of this on the basis of observations.) The case can even reach the fights with relatives, then it is better to move the fish to another aquarium. Partial water replacement is very important! The red stamping ( R. pauciperforata) is distinguished by excellent endurance from the same reservoirs as the above species. It grows to 7 cm. Fish of this species are also very fearful by themselves, and they only show their liveliness in a pack. In relation to other species behave peacefully. The area of ​​distribution of mother-of-pearl ( R. Vaterifloris) is Ceylon (Sri Lanka). These fish with a high back do not grow longer than 4 cm. Their content is not always easy. It is recommended that the aquarium is richly planted with cryptocoryn at least 60 cm in length. Pearleships seem to be more thermophilic than many of their relatives. To distinguish their sex help is not very elegant body of the female and magnificent coloring of the male. Fertility spawning, the male repeatedly clings to the female. These fish devour their own eggs. Water should be as soft as possible; A regular partial replacement is recommended. Three-line analysis ( R. trilineata) is derived from the peninsula of Malacca and the Great Sunda Islands. This species is known to every aquarist. Live schooling fishes live very long; Can reach a length of up to 15 cm. But if they are kept in medium-sized aquariums, up to 70 cm, they almost never grow so much. The aquarium can be shined brighter than for the species described above, but otherwise its design should be the same. Trilinear sortings also prefer soft water, but they are more hardy than others. Recommended peat additive. This species is omnivorous. Among the species that survived in our species also belong to the blue- striped ( R. daniconius) species, which reaches a length of 10 cm, the spotted spine ( R. Dorsiocellata) originating from the peninsula of Malacca and the Great Sunda Islands, and growing to 7 cm; Two- striped ( R. cephalotae nia ) from the same biotope, but growing to 12 cm; The same size is achieved by a single-line analysis ( R. lateristriata): a 2.5-centimeter crumb among the hummingbirds ( R. Maculata ) and the parasite-rye ( R .urophthalma). It is necessary to contain these species under the same conditions as those described above, but not all these species can be replicated. Recently, under the name of "barbus-Apollo" , one curious species is imported to Europe - Leptobarbus hoeveni. However, it is worth to buy it only if you realize that this fish can grow up to 40-50 cm and that it needs a real big aquarium! This species is distributed from Thailand to the Great Sunda Islands. With age, the color of his fins and lower body appears more red. And, finally, say a few words about the cardinal (Tanichthys albonubes), whose native biotopes are in southern China and were mentioned already in the "Water" section. In length these fish reach only 4 cm. They do not need tropical warm water, and in the summer months they are quite satisfied with the temperature of 20 - 22 ° C, quite calmly transferring and cooling to 18-16 ° C. These unpretentious schools are suitable for beginners Aquarists. In their coloring a lot of red tones.

	Rasbora vaterifloris
	Rasbora kalochroma
	Rasbora caudimaculata
	Rasbora dorsiocellata
	Rasbora trilineata
	Rasbora pauciperforata
	Rasbora albonubes
	Rasbora hoeveni