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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FAMILIES OF FISH

Toothcarps (Cyprinodontidae)

Until the latest revision (Parenti) in the family by that name (Cyprinodontidae) united all viviparous toothcarps. But due to the development and complexity of the hierarchical system to date in this family includes only the genera Aphanius, Cualac, Cubanichthys, Cyprinodon, Floridichthys, Jordanella ( synonym: Garmanella), Kosswigichthys (synonym: Anatolichthys), Megupsilon and Orestias. Not all kinds of fish interest us in terms of the aquarium. Afan different species common in the Mediterranean; Some species are found in Anatolia (eastern Turkey), the other in the Near East. Childbirth Cualac, M e gupsilon Floridichthys and presented each one kind, a Cubanichthys and Jordanella two.

Two types dzhordanelly - Florida, floridae J., and J. pulchra, formerly garmanella colorful (Garmanella p.) - Live in a totally dissimilar habitats. As indicated hitherto observation dzhordanella Florida is found in fresh water on the peninsula of Florida, while dzhordanella colorful time can live in fresh water, but then begins to wither. These fish are the origin with the Mexican Yucatan peninsula, which in prehistoric times was associated with Florida. J. floridae with her red with marked pattern (males) - a very beautiful fish, but in the general aquarium, it does not reveal its qualities and behaves too timidly. This It is the reason why only the aquarium specialists can be seen which of these fish, where they are in pairs. When the content of J. pulchra needed more salt additives, which, as we know, is not good for plants. both types of fish are taking a mixed feed: meat and vegetable.

207.jpg (76727 bytes) Jordanella pulchra

Representatives of the genus Orest ia s in aquarium still remain unknown. All 20 described species are found in lakes at high and very high altitude in the area of the Peruvian Andes from Peru to northern Chile and, in particular, in the Lake Titicaca at an altitude of approximately 3800 meters. The genus name, according to Greek legend, derived from the name of Orestes, who was hiding in the mountains. once during a trip to Peru, I was caught in the lake Titicaca, some of these fish for the bait usually they are in the long finger, but about. cuvieri much more: he reaches for the giant Killifish length:. 25 - 28 cm Due to the fact that the danger in the lakes trout, these fish livestock. Larger fish of the genus Orestias can be seen in the dried form of the inhabitants of the islands of Uros in the northern part of the lake. Different types tsiprinodonov from time to time, we as a private import or as hybrids. Because they are found in hot, arid areas in the Southwest United States and Mexico, as well as in other areas of Central America and in some Caribbean islands, in their reference books often referred to as "desert fish" and that in many cases, quite rightly.

Variability tsiprinodon (Sirrino don variegatus) - the closest relative of the steel tsiprinodona. he is best able to adapt among their relatives; found on the Atlantic coast in the eastern US and to Venezuela. In the aquarium, it requires hard water and pH above the neutral point, and if necessary additive sea salt.

206.jpg (83048 bytes) Sirrino don variegatus variegatus, tsiprinodon of variability, male

Cyprinodon macularius was probably one of the most well-known species, especially because of numerous publications in the early 1970s (Knaack). This fish is found in the desert regions of the western United States. The names of other types of evidence of "neuyutnosti" the places where they occur: C. diabolis (damn), C. nevadensis (Nevada), C. salinas (salt). Like many other Killifish, these fish are excellent jump. When I traveled to Death Valley (north of the famous Mojave Desert along the border between California and Nevada), in some places I came across ponds, where there are small "desert fish" (the locals say, "papfish"). As was unaccustomed to the heat of the season, on the banks of ponds, we came across a dead fish: they were trying to jump from one pond to another, suffocated and dried on a hot soil. "Desert Fish" is not famous for its beauty, unless you consider juicy steel color C. macularius: their bodies are fairly formless. Like almost all other ikromechuschie toothcarps, these fish live only in shallow waters. The popularization of these species contributed greatly to his published works Viennese researcher Killifish Karl Knaak (Knaack). These fish, just not so elegant, reminiscent of other living beings who are forced to live in extreme conditions. What we aquarists understand by beauty and elegance in the structure of the body, in fact, is the result of forced fish to adapt to the natural environment. In the desert of dead fish in their ponds no rivals and competitors in the food production, and their appearance is subject to the same goal: the need to survive.

395.jpg (48334 bytes) Desert habitat in Saratoga Springs.
396.jpg (49656 bytes) Salt Creek (salty bay) in the national park "Death Valley".
397.jpg (41993 bytes) The plate prevents fishing.

Steel tsiprinodon (Cyprinodon macularius) reaches a length of 4.5 cm. He needs a hard water (15- 25 ° dH) with a small amount of salt. Accordingly, its size, he does not need a large aquarium. Tank length 20 cm would be enough for the maintenance of four - eight fish. When these fish live in the same tank, the males will soon begin to fight among themselves. A female (there should be two - three times more than males) are required in the case cover, so that they are not affected by the situation. You can use the plant, the more that they will decorate the aquarium. At a temperature of 25 to 27 ° fish developed best. Special requirements for the selection of live food they have, but they still prefer it dry.