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Masked HALINOHROM - Graceful ELEGANCE


Of the many colorful cichlids introduced by us from the African lakes Tanganyika and successfully adapted to the aquarium conditions, some of the most rare are the representatives of the halinohromis (Chalinochromis). At first glance it may seem surprising, since these fish are fully entitled to be enrolled in the category of the most aesthetic tanganiktsev although halinohromy not shine bright colors, shades and combinations of colors have an unusually harmonious.
Rhode Chalinochromis not numerous: it includes up to four types of mainly locally common in the rugged bays shoreline of Lake Tanganyika. Some of them still have not received an accurate scientific description. Scarcity is representative halinohromov in decorative aquariums due to the complexity of the catch of fish in natural rock labyrinths, their insistence to the conditions of detention and some problems in breeding.
The most spectacular of the genus, in my opinion, is the Masked halinohrom Brishara (Ch.brichardi Poll, 1974), who in the early 90's, unfortunately, disappeared from the Russian collectors aquariums.
For several years I have lived, probably, the last in the old Russian steam. The female at the time was disfigured by a huge goiter (hypertrophy of the thyroid gland), but I managed to cure her pharmacy yodinolom (at a concentration of 1 ml / liter). However, the long-awaited offspring, despite the various manipulations with water, I'm from it has not received.
Subsequently, a long time I tried unsuccessfully to restore this species in its collection, but offers foreign firms exporting it did not appear, and the hope that somewhere in the vastness of our country and neighboring countries in the amateurs Tanganyika preserved at least some instances of masked halinohromisov quickly dispelled.
And then in the next party tanganiktsev I noticed with great joy some coveted fish. However rarities have been severely depleted and overwhelmed (as I later found - coccidiosis enteritis) and require urgent assistance. Treatment at T = 30 degrees C performed in a quarantine tank furazolidone (15 mg / liter), Biseptol (10 ml / liter), combining pharmaceutical techniques with power feeding pets. After a month of intensive care transplanted fish in a 100-gallon tank with cover to a less peaceful neighbors: Neolamprologus ocellatus and Julidochromis dickfeldi.
Immediately it became clear that was not shown completely quarantine aquarium fish painting, for a new place halinohromy literally transformed, bewitching splendor of a thin dress and the color harmony of the composition.
Total bezhevaty tone is preserved, but the body and fins appeared shades and patterns. The fins are adorned with wavy intersections of subtle yellow, turquoise and white stripes, complemented by a pattern of small dots. The mask on the fish head from the dark intersecting lines has become much contrast, and on the sides in contact with the sun's rays glimmered dimly pearly iridescence. No picture, no footage from the film of Tanganyika did not give all the colors of these elegant beauties. Compared with the color scheme of my previous halinohromy seemed faded and brown.
The aquarium Novoselov quickly and effortlessly conquered living space. They are equally well eaten any live feed: bloodworm, koretra, zooplankton, from time to time pinched green algae from the pond walls. The conditions were as follows: DGH 8 - 12 degrees, PH 7.2 - 8.5, T = 26 - 28 ° C, aeration and water filtration, replacing 1/3 volume on a weekly basis to defend the water of similar parameters.
When the content halinohromov Brishara to remember a few rules: firstly, the water should be clean and free of bacterial or mechanical suspension; Secondly, the temperature should not drop below 24 ° C, otherwise the fish become sluggish and less active, and thirdly, the fish are very sensitive to iodine deficiency, which causes hypertrophy (swelling) of the thyroid gland.
If the fish to ensure normal conditions, they thrive and grow well, reaching a 12-year centimeter size. Males smaller - their length is rarely more than 8cm.
The behavior of the fish resemble yulidohromov: the same habits, the same mating rituals. Detached pair (a mature halinohromy Brishara to year) selects a rocky cave or a flower pot with a small hole in the side and protects their future spawning from uninvited neighbors.
My five halinohromov after a few months, divided into two pairs. And there was found one more interesting feature of these fish. It turns out that in the tank with the bottom area of ​​less than 60 x 60 cm, shelters and distracting neighbors two couples do not live together. On the other fish halinohromy Brishara get along pretty well, treating them equally indifferent, just driving away the neighbors of the spawning grounds. But representatives of its kind couple is ready to pursue throughout the aquarium, inflicting various injuries.
Such pronounced intraspecific aggression I have not observed nor yulidohromov or closely related species of fish Chalinochromis bifrenatus, which for several years successfully lived and bred in my aquariums. Therefore, the second pair and the "orphan" of the male had to transplant.
Spawning takes place in halinohromov just like yulidohromov. The female lays on the side walls of the cover 50 - 70 eggs (according to some information to 150), immediately fertilized by males. In becoming more intense and contrasting color of the spawning fish above the eyes appear silvery "eyebrows".
Couple in turn protects the eggs and offspring, hatched at T = 27 ° C on the third day. A week later, the fry becomes afloat and begins to eat small plankton (though adult fish of this feed is also not refuse).
Unlike yulidohromov, fry halinohroma Brishara not immediately disperse the aquarium, and a few days compact "handful" hang at the entrance to the cave spawning. A few more days, they're going about it in the night, and only by the end of two weeks of starting to cautiously explore the surrounding area.
The fry are rather bright and catch them from the aquarium problematic. Keep watching for the slightest movement of the possible sources of danger, they are ready to immediately whisk in the very small crack.
Nevertheless, in the general aquarium, despite the care and protection of parents, the number of surviving young fish rarely exceeds 15 - 20% of the initial amount. In addition, the pair often soon begins to prepare for the next spawn and leave their firstborn unattended. Therefore, if you set out to preserve and raise offspring, it is better to incubate eggs artificially.
To do this, otsadnik capacity 15 - 20 liters of substrate is placed with masonry, and placed next to the nebulizer (preferably in combination with a filter sponge). Water for otsadnik incubator is best taken from spawning (general) of the aquarium, as when moving to another, even on similar parameters water, the percentage of hatched larvae drops sharply. To reduce the risk of eggs Saprolegnia and other fungi in the water made by a methylene blue to bluish-blue staining.
Painting fry halinohroma Brishara different from the parent. Rather, they too resemble Ch.bifrenatus: bezhevatoe body with two black longitudinal stripes. For 4 - 5 months in the band begin to be segmented and adolescents are similar to other closely related species Ch.sp. "ndobnoi". Finally fry banding disappears for six months, giving way not bright, but surprisingly harmonious coloring of adult fish.
The existence of two uzkoarealnyh species of color, reproducing the colors of juveniles and adolescents of the third kind, is remarkable evidence of the fact that the process of speciation in Lake Tanganyika fish fauna is far from complete.
Masked halinohrom well suited for mixed Tanganyika aquariums. Future producers better to grow a bevy of 6 - 7 fish. Although intraspecific aggressiveness of the species is very high, I do not exclude that in decorative aquariums meter and a length in the presence of distracting neighbors can normally coexist several individuals of this species. Anyway, a couple of masked halinohromov fit into any community tanganiktsev. I, for example, they get along very well with various fish from small to large Neolamprologus brevis Lepidolamprologus nkambae.
The life expectancy of these fishes, according to published sources, is about ten years.


S. Elochkin Moscow



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