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Almost two and a half centuries ago, the first classical description tetraodonov, marked the beginning of the taxonomy of the genus and family blowfish - Tetraodontidae. This was the first-born of the Nile fahaka pufferfish. In those days it was known as Tetraodon lineatus (synonyms T.physa, T.stigosus). The word "tetraodon" in Latin means chetyrёhzuby; and in fact, the big fish are easily visible four teeth. For its ability to swell in the air, and in the case of explanation of the relationship - and under water, also known as tetraodony-fish balls.
Some species live in highly desalinated water mangrove habitats, moving from time to time from almost fresh water into the sea. Commercial catch these fish highly streamlined and inexpensive, making it tetraodony often fall into amateur aquariums. However, below we will focus on three types of fairly large African tetraodonov found only in fresh water.
Motley tetraodon (Tetraodon miurus Boulenger, 1902) inhabits the water basins of the central and lower Zaire and huge African Congo River. The specific name of fish is due, apparently, to the variegated pattern, consisting of numerous small black spots scattered over the body.
In the famous edition of G. Axelrod et al "Exotic Tropical Fish" stated that miurusov length does not exceed 10 cm. Knowing how Americans love to underestimate the size of the fish (not to scare away potential buyers), I decided to clarify the size of these fish in the German aquarium books . Three authoritative author - Günther Sterba, Hans and Hans Mayland Bensh confirmed my fears: they think the maximum size is 15 cm, however, was enough to look at miurusov in reservoirs gambling collector different aquarium rarities I. Parshkova to doubt the correctness and the data..
As you can see in the picture, the fish does not fit on the hand of an adult male. For accurate information had to ask I. Virsa, a specialist dealing with these fish in the aquarium, accurately measure and weigh the same time and both of the available collection I. Parshkova instance. The results were a record. One fish had a length of 19.5 cm and weighing no more nor less than 250 grams, and the other was only half a centimeter long, but weighed as much as 320 grams! Knowing about the amazing accuracy and correctness of the German writers, I thought that perhaps in their books listed in ichthyology used the so-called standard length (briefly referred to as SL - Standart Length), measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin. But under the scheme length of the fish was "overvalued" (SL = 16,3 cm and SL = 17 cm, respectively). Yes, Frank brought up in their aquariums record instances. And they are still only about one and a half years, and they still continue to rise. After the fish are growing throughout their lives! Maybe in the Moscow aquarium they like more than the native waters of the Congo? Or feed was picked up by a more appropriate?
Speaking of the stern. Everyone knows that tetraodonov teeth are primarily intended for crushing the shells of mollusks. That supplementation tetraodonov snails allowed for the first time, 20 years ago, successfully breed T.leiurus brevirostris. Maybe with miurusami it is also important? However, in his "aquarium Atlas" H.Bensh indicates that T..miurus not like snails: G. Sterba writes that this fish to shellfish and small snails almost no attention, preferring sedentary fish. True G. Axelrod et al believe just the opposite: miurus enjoying snails! Apparently, in this case it worked inertia stereotype - other times tetraodony eat snails, and then the species should.
To be sure, one of the rights of authors, conduct the experiment simple enough: put in an aquarium with small miurusami ampulyarii, tasty food tetraodonov other. After a few days you will see that the snails are likely to be safe and sound.
If the soil - sand or pea gravel, the miurusy when frightened quickly buried it, leaving only the outside of the eye and some up ectopic mouth. First it was thought that from such a position, as if being in the ambush, they attack the gaping fish or shrimp ran past. But, according to observations I. Parshkova, T.miurus does not correspond to the usual notion of tetraodonah as a favorite food of this kind are falling on the surface of the water insects. To verify this, just throw in the aquarium cricket - in such cases it is required to fish and upper mouth.
Fahaka pufferfish, or, as it is called, Arabic tetraodon (Tetraodon fahaka Linnaeus, 1757) - current scientific name of Nile tetraodona mentioned above. He has in his painting whimsical ornament, typical of Arab frescoes. Fish is widely distributed in tropical Africa from Senegal to Chad and Niger to the west of the lake basins: in the Nile Basin and Lake Rudolf (now Turkana) - in the east. Grows to 45 cm. It is interesting that Lake Turkana is located more to the east of the Nile, distributed very small dwarf subspecies fahaka pufferfish (T.fahaka rudolfianus Deraniyagala, 1956), reaching only 6 cm in length. For a long time about fahaka pufferfish we walked alone conversations, but thanks to successful breeding in aquariums I. Parshkova Russian fans finally had an opportunity to contain these wayward, but amazingly beautiful fish. Painting fry motley, sharply different from adults attire. Only a 4 - 4.5-month-old juveniles of various sizes, as if randomly scattered spots begin to merge, gradually forming a band characteristic of the beautiful ornament adult fish.
Multiply fahaka pufferfish begin only when reaching a certain size at the age of two years. In aquariums I.Parshkova males are 19.5 cm length (SL 16.3 cm) to 25.5 cm (SL 20 cm) and weighs up to 300 grams. Females are even larger: one was 31 cm long and reached a respectable weight of 650 grams. For more information on reproduction tetraodonov Nile can be found in the latest WCTAB program report (November 1999), as well as in the next issue of "Aquarium".
Mbu or Veerohvostaya fish-ball, Tetraodon mbu Boulenger, 1899 - inhabits reservoirs of the Central and Lower Zaire (Congo), which is almost the same habitats as miurus. The short title of this species tetraodona - "Mbu" occurs, as is often the case, the local name of the fish. The roots of numerous African languages ​​close - remember at least very similar to the name of a popular group of Malawi cichlids "mbuna".
According to available data, MBU reach a size of 75 cm and a weight of 6.5 kg. According to these parameters, they surpass even his close relatives of the Far Eastern seas - famous for its unique taste fugue.
Young MBU with his long patterned tail is very beautiful and highly prized by foreign aquarists. they appeared more recently in Russia and is still extremely rare. Few in number, they and aquariums in Europe.
Currently Moscow tetraodony MBU reached one year of age and the length of 49.5 cm (SL = 36 cm with a weight of 2130 g) - the alleged male.
Another "male" bigger and older (he was about 3 years) has a length of 59 cm (SL = 43 cm and a weight of 2620 g). "Female" also was less than 46 cm (SL = 35.5 cm, weight 2020).
Note the difference between the total and standard length. She says that the tail of the fish is almost a quarter of the body length! The competitors are not veiltail?
In conclusion, I want to note that neither the MBU or miurusy unlike fahaka pufferfish have synonyms in their scientific names. Like most tetraodonov described above fish species quarrelsome and angry. The older, the more aggressive they become. We often keep them singly or in a solid lattice separated by a partition. Note that the thin plastic mesh are easily gnaw. In addition, I want to warn aquarists that common demonstration of the ability to swell in the air tetraodonov significantly reduces their life expectancy. This remarkable, from our point of view, the ability to have nothing but as a defensive reaction that causes stress, and sometimes even death of the animals. Do not be cruel!


Kochetov Moscow Aquarium № 2, 2000