Blue dolphin: growing exotic fish. Is it possible to have a fish like a blue dolphin in an aquarium? Reproduction of aquarium dolphins
Many aquarists are true fans of Malawian African cichlids, considering them extremely beautiful and pleasant to keep. The blue dolphin has gained the most popularity, being surprisingly colorful and easy to breed. External attractiveness is also characteristic of other “Africans” (this is how aquarists call cichlids from Africa in short), which can compete in beauty with a dolphin, for example, but in this article we will consider dolphin aquarium fish.
Dolphins are smiling!
The place of dolphin fish in the fish system is as follows: class Bony fish, subclass Ray-finned fish, order Perciformes and family Cichlidae or Cichlids.
Aquarists who prefer cichlids are of the opinion that all cichlids have intelligence. Perhaps this was the second reason why the species we are considering received its name blue dolphin? The first reason lies on the surface: one look at an adult specimen is enough and the external resemblance of this fish to the aquatic mammal dolphin is immediately noticeable. The hump located on the back of the fish's head and the slightly elongated mouth with thick lips resemble a dolphin.
All names for dolphin fish
Some owners of blue dolphins call them smiling cichlids because they look at their owner with large eyes that radiate joy and kindness, so reminiscent of mammalian dolphins.
This fish is often called cyrtocara muri from its scientific Latin name - Cyrtocara moorii. The name is given after the English missionary J. Moore, who, together with David Livingston, while engaged in missionary and research activities in Central Africa, discovered Lake Nyasa (Malawi). Moore collected a significant collection of fish, which were given to the Belgian zoologist Georges Albert Boulenger for description.
Taking into account the peculiarities of caring for offspring by incubating eggs in the female’s mouth, aquarium fish dolphins are also called, like many of their family members, cichlids. They are sometimes simply called dolphin cichlids.
Unique appearance
The appearance of dolphin cichlids is characteristic of most representatives of the Cichlid family:
- The body is tall and shaped like an elongated oval, compressed at the sides.
- The dorsal fin, which occupies the entire back - from the head to the beginning of the caudal peduncle (base of the tail)
- The anal fin is shifted towards the tail, and its back part mirrors the back part of the dorsal fin.
A unique feature of appearance that distinguishes the blue dolphin cichlid from most of its family members, for example, is the bump on the forehead, which served as the basis for the name of this species.
Other distinctive characteristics of the appearance of Tsirtokara Muri:
- Large head with large moving eyes
- The elongated muzzle ends with thick lips
- The caudal fin is equal-lobed.
- The body color has blue and blue shades with transverse stripes or spots.
How to distinguish males and females
The presence of clear secondary sexual characteristics in fish (clearly visible structural features of females and males by which they can be distinguished) is very important. Sometimes you can find information that blue dolphins have no external sexual differences. But this is a wrong opinion.
A distinctive feature of the color of cirtocar muri fry are large dark spots: on the caudal peduncle and on the side in the middle of the body. The general color is grayish-blue, on which dark transverse stripes are clearly visible.
Starting from 8 months of age, juveniles display secondary sexual characteristics, allowing them to see females and males:
- An adult male has a bump on his forehead, characteristic of this species, and the ends of his fins (anal and dorsal) are extended into “braids.” As the male matures, his forehead acquires a yellowish tint, even if he does not have a clearly defined “bump.” The male retains dark stripes across his body, which become brighter during spawning.
- The color of adult females is characterized by indeterminate dark spots on the sides of the body (instead of stripes on the male) and red dots on the caudal fin.
Distribution and geographical races
The blue dolphin cichlid is endemic to the African Lake Malawi (Nyasa) and is widely distributed in shallow areas with a sandy bottom. Several geographical races are known on the territory of the lake, which differ in color saturation and the size of the bump on the head. In aquarium keeping, preference is given to individuals of a velvety blue or bright blue color, having a very convex forehead with a large bump. In the photo of the blue dolphin aquarium fish, this peculiar “decoration” is clearly visible.
Individuals of a pale blue color with an unpronounced fatty growth are not in great demand.
Size and age
The maximum size that dolphin cichlids usually reach in the natural conditions of Lake Malawi is approximately 25 centimeters. In an aquarium, these fish can grow up to 20 centimeters, provided that it is a spacious aquarium with a volume of more than 250 liters. In small volumes, the length of dolphins is usually no more than 15 centimeters. At the same time, the “dolphin forehead” does not fully develop. Males are always noticeably larger than females.
The blue dolphin aquarium fish is popular among aquarists for another reason: in an aquarium, its life expectancy can be up to 15 years.
Features of character and behavior
Dolphins differ from other Malawian endemics not only in appearance, but also in their ability to “hold themselves.” Their movements are not fussy, they are not aggressive. Therefore, next to other “Malawians” scurrying around in different directions, they look a little out of harmony. It is recommended to keep them in a school of 10-15 fish in a species aquarium, and then they will look great. Aquarium fish blue dolphin swims throughout the aquarium.
Three words describe the character of blue dolphins: peaceful, timid and slightly territorial. Males may argue from time to time, claiming leadership, but no serious damage occurs.
The timidity of dolphins is the second reason for keeping them in a separate species aquarium in a school with a predominance of females in the ratios: 1 male plus 2 females or 2 males plus 3 females.
But if you really want to keep not only dolphin cichlids in a species aquarium, then you need to take into account that the compatibility of blue dolphin aquarium fish is observed with many small fish (, labyrinthine,). It seems that their mentality does not allow them to offend children. And this is very good: in such an aquarium there will be peace and tranquility.
The intelligence of dolphins is evidenced by the fact that they can recognize their owner. This is noticeable in their eyes, which radiate confidence, and it even seems that they are smiling.
The behavior of the male, attracting the attention of the female, is distinguished by very beautiful and graceful movements: he spreads his fins and demonstrates in every possible way how beautifully he swims.
- The soil is recommended to be small pebbles or sandy.
- The more shelters, the better (piles of stones, grottoes, snags, caves, etc.).
- Be sure to leave plenty of space for swimming.
- Plants are recommended only with hard leaves and a strong root system (Vallisneria, Anubias or Cryptocoryne), or planted in pots.
- Water filtration is required, plus good aeration and regular water changes (30 percent daily).
Water parameters: alkaline pH (7-9); the temperature is approximately 25 degrees and the hardness index is 10 - 17.
Nutrition
Based on the type of feeding in nature, dolphins are classified as micropredators. They demonstrate a very original and unusual feeding adaptation. Constantly following cichlids digging the ground, for example, from the genus Milochromis (M. dorsostriped), they find food in the form of small organisms and small particles of detritus, which are raised by Milochromis from the ground into the bottom water column. This method of peculiar “hunting” is the only way they obtain food that has been recorded in their habitats. Keeping blue dolphin aquarium fish does not impose any special nutritional requirements.
- Vegetables (spirulina)
- Live (daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex)
- Combined feeds: beef heart, squid, sea fish minced through a meat grinder (all in the same ratio)
Reproduction
Typically, dolphins begin to breed at the age of one and a half years, sometimes at three years. The male prepares the nest - he clears a free area of soil or the surface of a stone or digs a hole in the ground. The female lays eggs in parts of several pieces. The male fertilizes, and the female immediately picks them up in her mouth. The entire clutch is in the mother’s mouth for 20 days. At this time, the female does not eat. The number of eggs developing in the oral cavity of a caring mother ranges from 40 to 80. Below you see a photo of a blue dolphin aquarium fish - a female with fry.
But in a community aquarium, it often happens that the female, due to fright or stress, swallows the eggs or fry, or spits them out. Once in the water, they have very little chance of survival.
Therefore, in order to obtain numerous offspring, aquarists “take” fertilized eggs from the mother. This is done in order to place the eggs for further development in specially designed cichlid incubators.
Compatibility with other aquarium fish
The compatibility of blue dolphin aquarium fish with other species has some limitations due to their peaceful nature. It is advisable not to combine dolphins and Malawians of the Mbuna group in the same body of water due to the aggressive and restless nature of the latter.
Neighbors for tsirtokara muri should be proportionate to them. Such large catfish as synodontis or frontosa cichlid are excellent neighbors for dolphins. Sharing with very small fish is not recommended due to the possibility that dolphins may eat them instead of food. There is also other information - dolphins, due to their “aristocratic” character, do not bother their small neighbors.
To avoid neighborhood problems, there is a unanimous recommendation to allocate a separate species aquarium for the “dolphinarium”. And then everyone will be alive, and the owners don’t have to worry that someone will get eaten, although whether they will be eaten is not a fact. If you want to establish the truth, you can check by conducting your own experiment.
Content:
The blue dolphin is a beautiful aquarium fish from the cichlid family, common in Africa. The dolphin was first discovered in lakes Malawi and Malombe, and brought to Europe in 1968. The blue dolphin is the most popular of all freshwater species due to its amazing colors and ease of breeding. This fish can also be found under the names “Cirtocara Muri” or “Haplochromis Muri”.
External description
The blue dolphin has external features similar to the mammalian dolphin: blue or blue body color with black spots, a convex forehead with a fatty growth, a protruding mouth and large lips. The fish has a large head and movable eyes. The dorsal fin is very long, starting at the head and ending at the base of the tail. The tail fin is two-lobed, the pectoral and ventral fins are short and thin. The dolphin reaches up to 25 cm in size.
The dolphin has an elongated and compressed body, in the center and on the tail there is a large dark spot, and on the sides there are black transverse stripes. During conflicts, the color of the fish intensifies, becoming bright blue, and the throat and fins are almost black.
Male dolphins are larger in size and brighter, the tail fins are blue, and with age the forehead becomes yellowish. A clear distinguishing feature of the male is the characteristic vertical stripes in the amount of 4-8 pieces. During the spawning period, the male's forehead turns significantly yellow and the stripes on the body intensify their tone. Females have several spots instead of stripes, and the caudal fins are covered with red dots.
Dolphins usually live up to 15 years.
Aquarium care
Blue dolphins are quite peaceful creatures; they prefer to stay in a school of 3-4 fish. For the optimal number of them in the aquarium, a combination of one male and at least three females is suitable. Keeping dolphins in an aquarium is not particularly difficult, especially for experienced aquarists; with a container of at least 200 liters, even a beginner can cope with it.
The fish are territorial and love large open spaces for swimming and stay in all layers of water. Basic aquarium water parameters: temperature 24-26°C, acidity 7-9, hardness 10-17°. Filtration, intensive aeration, and changing a third of the water weekly are required. Lighting can be bright.
The soil is preferably sandy or small pebbles; plants need hard-leaved plants with a strong root system or in pots. The following aquarium plants are well suited: Cryptocoryne, Anubias. Ferns can be fixed on stones, and limnophila leaves will serve as additional feeding for fish.
Numerous shelters for fish are needed in the form of grottoes, snags, caves, and crevices. To recreate the most similar habitat, you can decorate the aquarium with rock relief and buildings made of stones stacked on top of each other.
Blue dolphins feed on any type of high-quality live food. Foods with a high protein content are best suited: earthworms, live or thawed shrimp, pieces of beef heart or liver, bloodworms, and coretra. Plant foods include dandelion, spinach, lettuce and nettle.
Breeding
At the age of 1.5-3 years, the fish reach sexual maturity and reproduce, as a rule, in pairs and separately from other fish. During the spawning period, the male becomes aggressive, and the female becomes more timid. Games during spawning between the female and the male occur in a funny way; they gently rub their foreheads against each other.
Aquarium dolphins have the individual characteristic of carrying eggs in their mouths. First, the female spawns eggs in small portions onto a flat surface or into a hole dug by the male. She then picks up the eggs in her mouth and the male fertilizes them. The female should be protected from stress as much as possible, otherwise there is a risk of her swallowing her offspring.
The total period of gestation and hatching of the fry is 3 weeks, during which the female does not feed. With age, females increase productivity up to 90 eggs. The fry feed on Artemia nauplii, Cyclops, nematodes and other microorganisms.
Bearing fry in a common aquarium risks swallowing them by the female, so it is better to keep them in a separate artificial incubator. For this purpose, a 10-15 liter aquarium with aeration and water from a general aquarium is suitable. The temperature is raised to 27-28°C and methylene blue is added to the water. If the eggs turn white, this means that they have lost their viability and need to be removed from the aquarium with a pipette. Transplantation to parents can be done at the age of 3-4 months.
Blue dolphins are capable of breeding until the age of 7-8 years. It should be taken into account that the dolphin can interbreed with Livingston's haplochromis and leopard. Hybrids are gray-brown in color with bluish stripes.
Information in Internet articles scares away the future owner of the fish due to the high requirements for breeding and living conditions. Blue dolphins require care, but there is nothing difficult about it.
The blue dolphin (cichlid) is a common aquarium fish that differs in appearance from any other.
The size of a blue dolphin depends on a number of biological factors. In the wild it lives in South Africa. Blue dolphins reach twenty-five centimeters, while individuals kept in a home aquarium range from eight to twenty centimeters (depending on the volume of water in the tank). The fish is predatory, but this does not interfere with the aquarium and does not create additional difficulties during maintenance. The lifespan of a blue dolphin is fifteen years.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, this fish was found in South Africa, at which time it was described in biological reference books, but distribution and interest appeared only half a century later. By 1968, the blue dolphin was found in aquariums in both Europe and the Soviet Union.
Looking at small individuals, it will be difficult to find similarities with a real dolphin, but an adult fish has an enlarged head, resembling a real dolphin in proportions. The fish has movable parts of the body - large lips and eyes, which makes its distinctive features more attractive.
The requirements are simple. First, you need to decide on the size of the aquarium. The blue dolphin is not very large in size, but the glass tank should be spacious, since in the wild the fish is not found in small bodies of water. The aquarium decor is standard - the maximum number of imitations of underwater caves, corals and crevices, and the bottom is covered with sandy soil. The main goal is to give the blue dolphin the opportunity to hide from the outside world.
To make your pet comfortable:
- the lighting in the aquarium cannot be dim, the brighter the better;
- water temperature from twenty-two to thirty degrees Celsius;
- every week change a third of the aquarium water passed through the filter;
- turn on active aeration of the aquarium.
Blue dolphins are a shy type of fish, so their habitat layer is closer to the bottom. Take species aquariums.
Behavior and Compatibility
Blue dolphins are one of the smartest and most resourceful fish. They are unhurried, but at the same time very purposeful and graceful. Males show grace in front of females, blue dolphins straighten their long fins and carefully swim past.
The fish become attached to the owner, who provides food. When a familiar person approaches the aquarium, blue dolphins become animated, show interest and approach the aquarium glass.
These fish are peaceful and get along with calm-tempered species: aulonokara and other Malawian fish. Barbs, catfish, and representatives of the labyrinth families will not only get along well with blue dolphins, but also, due to their contrasting colors, will create additional beauty and atmosphere in the aquarium.
Male blue dolphins get along well with each other (except during the period before spawning), not to mention their behavior in front of females.
Reproduction
Normal reproduction depends on the health of the parents and feeding. The readiness of fish for spawning is manifested in their behavior and appearance. Males begin to behave aggressively towards other males, the fat layer on the forehead becomes yellowish, and the body is covered with dark blue stripes located transversely. With each new spawning, the fat layer on the forehead becomes larger; its size is used to judge the age of the adult male and how many times he has bred.
During spawning, the dark blue body of the female becomes light, and the tail part increases in size.
Immediately before spawning, females and males spend almost all their time together searching for a suitable site in the aquarium. Then the found area is cleared and spawning occurs within an hour. In just this hour, the pair lays from 70 to 120 eggs, which will produce fifty fry.
Care of offspring
The fry go through an incubation period for three weeks; the female hides the fry in her mouth. At this time, the aquarist can be calm, continuing to maintain the usual comfortable environment in the aquarium and feeding the pets on time.
Then the owner of the blue dolphins must take action:
- Water conditioning must be active to ensure a balanced chemical and hydrological ratio in the aquarium.
- The temperature in the aquarium is not lower than twenty degrees Celsius.
- Proper feeding of the fry. Three principles of feeding: regularity, variety and balance. The diet of blue dolphins includes brine shrimp, small crustaceans with an additive like Tetra Phyll, all this must be thoroughly ground. You should not allow the fry to become vitamin deficient; to do this, constantly add vitamins A, D, E, K.
Negligence in feeding fish leads to the death of fry. Blue dolphins grow very quickly, adding eight millimeters per month.
Dolphins are one of the main long-livers; even in the seventh or eighth year of life, individuals are ready to spawn.
- At first, it will be convenient to make a feeding schedule in the aquarium. Then caring for the fish will happen automatically.
- It is better to feed, care for the aquarium and perform other procedures by one person, whom the blue dolphins have already remembered. This will not disturb a weak nervous system, and the owner will be pleased that the pets recognize him.
Conclusion
Breeding blue dolphin fish requires a considerable investment of time and mental concentration. But within a month the aquarist will get used to all the necessary procedures, and the fish will bring him nothing but pleasure for many years.
The blue dolphin aquarium fish, or Cyrtocara moorii, belongs to the Cichlidae family of the Perciformes order. Like many other African cichlids, it is a freshwater fish that incubates its eggs in the mouth.
The female holds the fertilized eggs and fry in her mouth, which protects them from predators and significantly increases their chances of survival. Males stay close to their female companions throughout the incubation period and fiercely defend their occupied territory from the invasion of strangers.
Harem owners develop large fatty growths on their heads. Because of them, in profile they resemble miniature dolphins. Outside the spawning season, they are tolerant of their fellow tribesmen and usually do not show aggression towards them.
Behavior
Tsirtokara muri is an endemic species found only in Lakes Malawi and Malambe, located in Southeast Africa on the East African Rift Valley. The fish always lives in the upper layers of reservoirs, rarely descending to a depth of 3-5 m.
The blue dolphin feels most comfortable in waters with an acidity of pH 7.2-8.8 and a temperature of 24°-26°C.
The diet is based on living organisms that live on the sandy bottom of reservoirs (zoobenthos). The daily menu includes various small crustaceans, worms and aquatic insects. Sometimes fish attack other smaller cichlids looking for food in the ground.
Blue dolphins live in small family groups consisting of a male and 3-7 females. In the southern part of Lake Malawi, they often coexist peacefully with cichlids of the species Tramitichromis intermedius. Large specimens often gravitate towards a solitary lifestyle, while young individuals form small flocks. They occupy their own home ranges, but defend their boundaries without much enthusiasm.
Reproduction
In natural habitats, Cirtocara muri can reproduce all year round. Harem owners fertilize females in their areas, and lonely males lie in wait for them among the stones or sometimes dig a hole at the bottom for spawning.
The female lays eggs in small portions, and after fertilization hides them in her mouth. The process is repeated many times until she manages to collect 60-100 eggs. Their incubation can last up to 3 weeks. All this time the female is in a quiet shelter.
The hatched fry remain in the mother's mouth for up to 2 weeks until they reach a body length of about 8 mm. She takes care of her offspring, picking them up at the slightest danger and protecting them in her mouth during the night.
The fry feed on zooplankton, switching to larger animals as they grow. When their body length exceeds 25 mm, their gray-silver color with dark spots takes on a bluish tint. At 6 months they already look like adults and grow up to 5 cm. At the age of one year, the fish reach 7-8 cm and are able to begin their reproductive activity.
Keeping blue dolphins in an aquarium
Since the length of representatives of this species reaches 20 cm, a spacious aquarium is required for their comfortable well-being. A volume of at least 300 liters is required per individual. For each subsequent tenant it should be increased by 10-15%.
In their historical homeland, fish live in hard water with a dH of 10-18, so if necessary, to increase the hardness to the optimal value, the soil is enriched with coral chips. It is recommended to put a thick layer of pre-washed river sand on the bottom. Filtration and aeration must be installed.
The temperature in the aquarium is maintained in the range of 25°-27°C. About a quarter of the water is changed weekly.
There is no need to plant plants. Blue dolphins love to dig in the soil, so they will certainly dig them up. Instead, it is advisable to add more stones, driftwood and ceramic containers as shelters.
These cichlids are peaceful and do not attack fish that are approximately equal in size to them. They attack smaller ones with obvious pleasure, so it is impossible to keep them together.
The fry are fed brine shrimp (Artemia salina). As they develop, they begin to be fed larger animals. Cyrtocara moori readily eat live bloodworms and dry food. From time to time they can be given finely chopped squid and shrimp.
Description
The body length of males reaches a maximum of 22 cm, and of females 18 cm. Both sexes have a stocky, high body with a lateral flattening. The heads are large, and males have characteristic fatty growths on them. In females, they appear at a later age and look much smaller.
The color is dominated by metallic shades of blue. Females are less brightly colored and have a dull outfit. Males have longer dorsal and anal fins.
The lifespan of blue dolphin aquarium fish is 10-15 years.
In 1902, an endemic of unusual color and shape was spotted in Boulanger. It turned out that this fish is widespread in local lake waters. Most of them live at a depth of 3 to 15. It turned out that the beautiful inhabitants of the lakes are predators, but this did not stop exotic lovers from starting to breed them in an aquarium.
Cyrtocara moorii, also known as the blue dolphin, belongs to the family of African cichlids that live in the waters of Malawi. This fish is very popular among aquarists, as it has an unusual neon hue and a noticeable fatty lump. The aquarium dolphin cannot be called a small fish; the smallest individuals reach 25 centimeters in length. They are quite nice neighbors; one male gets along well with three to four females. During spawning, they can show aggression towards other representatives, but at other times they cannot be accused of being cocky.
Aquarium dolphins have an elongated body with a head similar to a regular dolphin. It is because of this structure of the skull and the presence of a fatty lump that they received such a name. If you look at a photo of one and the other, you will notice striking similarities. The size of fish in captivity is from 25 centimeters. Lifespan is about 10 years.
The biggest difficulty in maintenance is the purity of the water. Blue dolphins are very picky about the cleanliness of the aquarium, its size and neighbors. To maintain microflora, it is necessary to constantly update the water.
Both in nature and in the aquarium, these fish are omnivores. Therefore, the choice of food depends on the capabilities of the owner. The blue dolphin enjoys eating frozen, live, plant-based and artificial food. However, it is better to give preference to foods with a high protein content (brine shrimp or tubifex). These fish will not refuse other small fish. But this method of feeding is risky, since it is not always possible to check the health of the young animals. Many novice aquarists try to feed aquarium predators with minced meat or finely chopped meat. This is absolutely impossible to do, because the fish’s body does not provide enzymes for digesting such heavy food, and, therefore, can lead to obesity and atrophy.
- Aquarium volume from 300 liters;
- Purity and stability of water;
- Hardness from 7.3 – 8.9pH;
- Alkalinity 10 – 18dGH;
- The temperature is about 26 degrees.
As you can see, these fish prefer very hard water. To harden the water, use coral chips. There is an opinion that aquarium fish living in soft water lose their vision. But confirmation of this has not yet been found.
It is best to use sand to decorate the dolphins' place of residence. So, you can watch funny hazel grouse digging in it. They don't need plants. You can plant a small bush, but the blue dolphin will either eat the algae or dig it up. You can still create a unique design using different driftwood and shelters that dolphins will really like. Thanks to the large size and original color of the fish, you can create real masterpieces, photos of which are so common on the Internet.
Compatibility and Breeding
Despite its peaceful nature, the blue dolphin is not able to get along with all fish. They will appreciate proximity only to those equal in size and character. Those that are inferior to them in size will definitely be eaten, regardless of their agility and the number of shelters. Active and pugnacious neighbors still need to be avoided, as mbunas are not suitable for them at all.
Ideal neighbors:
- Frontoses;
- African catfish;
- Other cyclides of equal size;
- Large inhabitants of Malawian lakes.
It is almost impossible to distinguish a male from a female. There is an opinion that the male is slightly larger and brighter, but these signs are not subjective. They cannot be “tried on” to all fish, so it is not possible to determine its gender by looking at a photo of a fish.
Blue dolphins are ideal for breeding. They form a polygamous family, with one male and 3-6 females. Since it is impossible to determine the sex, 10 fry are purchased for breeding and raised together. By the time the fish reaches 12-14 centimeters, they are separated into families.
The male selects the ideal place for laying. It can be a smooth stone at the bottom, or a small depression in the ground. The female lays eggs there, and the male fertilizes them. After this, the female takes her and carries her for a couple of weeks. If the temperature is below 26 degrees, the incubation period can last up to three weeks. To protect the fry, the female takes them into her mouth, “walking” them at night while all the aquarium inhabitants are sleeping. Artemia naupilium is considered an ideal food for young animals.