Glass perch aquarium fish maintenance and compatibility. Glass perch - aquarium fish
Content:
Indian glass perch comes from the genus Handa of the family Centropomaceae or Robalaceae, and lives in fresh and brackish slow-flowing reservoirs of Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Burma, and India. The fish has gained popularity in aquariums as a peace-loving creature with a remarkable appearance. Keeping this perch at home lends itself to hobbyists of varying experience.
Description
The fish has a diamond-shaped tall body, compressed at the sides. This perch owes its name to its unique natural color. Its transparent body casts a silvery tone, highlighting internal organs and spine. Males are colored yellow-greenish with dark transverse stripes and edged blue fins. And the color of females is ordinary silver without a border on the fins. The pectoral fins of the fish are reddish, in some representatives from operculum a lilac stripe stretches to the base of the tail. The fish's spine consists of 25 vertebrae; there are rays on the abdomen and back. In males swim bladder pointed, rounded in females.
The forehead seems to be concave, so the lower jaw with small teeth protrudes forward. The dorsal fin is divided into 2 parts, the front one is higher and triangular in shape, and the back one is more rounded. From below, the anal fin repeats as in mirror image back of the dorsal fin. Caudal fin has a deep cut, reminiscent of a mermaid's tail. In nature, glass perches reach 8 cm, and in aquariums up to 5 cm. They live 2-3 years with quality care.
By nature, the fish is peaceful, but timid. Experiences stress in a densely populated aquarium. Therefore, its maintenance is optimal in a species aquarium. The fish stays at any water level, it can long time be in a motionless state, and then suddenly make impetuous movements. To observe the behavior of these perches, it is better to take at least 8 fish and place them in a container with a minimum number of plants and free space for swimming. Given enough space, male perch can establish personal territories and wait for females.
These fish are kept in containers of 50 liters and 60 cm. Water parameters: acidity 7-8, temperature 22-26°C, hardness 9-19°. High-quality filtration, aeration and water changes in small portions weekly are necessary. The fish is sensitive to changes in water parameters, so it is important to constantly keep it in clean water. Perch like hard and slightly alkaline water with the addition of sea salt.
For the soil it is better to choose sand or dark fine gravel. This fish loves bright lighting; it is important to place the aquarium close to the light source. Plants need to be planted densely; they are selected for their resistance to salt water and planted in pots. Vallisneria, hornwort, Java moss, and ferns are suitable. Fish need shelter, snags, and caves. Mangrove roots and large stones can be laid out as decorations.
Feeding
In nature, this fish feeds on worms, insects and their larvae, and crustaceans. IN aquarium conditions with appetite it eats live food in the form of bloodworms, daphnia, coretra, cyclops, enchytraeus and small crustaceans. He also eats frozen food, but is reluctant to eat dry food. They should be fed in small doses 3 times a week.
Breeding
Indian glass perch matures at 4-6 months. It is better to postpone fish breeding until the rainy season. early spring or late autumn when it appears starter food for fry in the form of diaptomus nauplii. Otherwise, difficulties will arise with feeding the offspring. For one pair of spawners, take a spawning tank from 50 cm, for group spawning from 80 cm. Floating plants or pots with small-leaved plants are laid out, perlon threads are also suitable.
For one male they take from 2 females. 2-3 months before the start of reproduction, you need to add salt to the water - 1 teaspoon per 6 liters. They also increase the temperature by 2-3 degrees and add fresh, settled water. Spawning occurs in the morning, so it is necessary to provide the fish with access to the morning sunlight. Usually about 200 eggs are produced, which the female lays in 6-10 pieces. To prevent the eggs from being affected by fungus, it is recommended to put a weak solution of methylene blue into the aquarium. Caviar is attached to various surfaces: plants, driftwood and other objects. The producers are then removed to another aquarium, although these fish are not prone to cannibalism.
The incubation period lasts up to 3-4 days, then the fry appear, growing up to 1.5 cm by 3 months. The juveniles are silvery in color and live in a flock, but as the group grows, they disintegrate. After 3-4 days, the fry can freely feed on the nauplii of Diaptomus, rotifers and Cyclops. However, these fish are not very active, so feeding is done in small portions throughout the day so that the fry can always find food in the aquarium.
When raising fry, water is added to the aquarium by drops and constant lighting and aeration are provided. Cannot be changed temperature regime, which can cause the fry to die. If you need to clean the container, you can turn on the lamp on the side, the light of which will attract the fish and allow them to clean up on the other side of the aquarium.
Glass perch ( Parambassis ranga)
Glass perch (Parambassis ranga) - amazing aquarium fish in our country, it is not very common, little known and very rare; you are unlikely to find it on sale from ordinary hobbyists, which is why it is relatively expensive. Also found under the names glass fish, Indian glass fish, changa ranga. This aquarium fish will be an interesting and slightly strange addition to the aquarium community.
Obviously, the glass perch got its name because of its translucent body. Changa-ranga are schooling fish, preferring to be in groups of five or more individuals. They can also be kept in smaller quantity, but in this case they will be shy and most of spend time in shelters. Even when kept in a large school, glass perch are not known for their aggressive behavior, although they can exhibit bold, energetic behavior.
Some sellers and hobbyists practice adding a fluorescent gene, which results in luminescent dots floating in the body of the glass fish. However, as a result of such experiments, most fish do not survive, and those that survive will be more prone to viral infections.
Origin
Indian glass perch is widespread in India and Pakistan, Malaysia, and also in parts Southeast Asia. Most of them live in fresh water, V standing water, formed by their flowing mountain streams, in places where there is a lot of shelter, but are sometimes found in brackish water. Most rivers and lakes in India have soft and acidic water (dH from 2 to 8 and pH from 5.5 to 7), but in many stores this aquarium fish has been misrepresented as living in brackish water. Since aquarists start aquariums with salt water much less frequently than with fresh water, Changa-ranga is not widely used.
It is a myth that these fish require brackish water. They thrive in fresh water and are quite hardy, making them no more difficult to keep than most tetras.
Description
Glass perch belongs to the glass perch family, order Perciformes. The body of the glass aquarium fish Changa Rang is flattened on the sides, almost colorless. The size can reach 7.5-8 cm. The head and belly are silver in color, the rest of the body is so transparent that all the bones of the fish and the spine are visible. The Chang-Rang has a double dorsal, an anal fin located along the body and a large caudal fin divided into two lobes.
Exact lifespan glass perch is not known, but they certainly live up to 2 or more years.
The glass fish has been known in the aquarium hobby for quite some time, but has gained fame as a delicate fish, difficult to keep, because for a long time it was believed that it could only be kept in salt water.
Glass perch in wildlife lives in groups, so it is advisable to keep six or more fish in an aquarium, this will give them a feeling of safety in the environment. If you only keep a pair of changa rangas, the fish will become nervous and hide. When purchasing glass fish, make sure they are healthy and their fins are flared and not pinched. Find out about their feeding before purchasing. Before purchasing a school of glass perches, the aquarium must be prepared in advance - these aquarium fish prefer a relatively mature aquarium, and do not like a new one that has just been launched.
If you purchase a glassfish that has previously been kept in brackish water, you will need to acclimate it to keep it in brackish water. freshwater aquarium. This will require a quarantine aquarium containing brackish water. Over the course of a week or two, daily water changes are made, approximately 10-15%, with the addition of fresh water.
For a species aquarium in which a flock of five glass perches will live, an aquarium with a volume of 38 liters is sufficient, but 50 liters is better. For a larger flock, or for keeping with other species, it is better to choose a 110 liter aquarium. The water should be soft and acidic or neutral, pH 6.5 - 7.5 and dH 4-6.
The water in the aquarium should be clean, ammonia and nitrites should be zero or minimal, so provide the aquarium with a good filtration system. It is advisable to use external filters.
Even best system filtration will not remove all fish waste from the aquarium, so regular weekly water changes, about 25% of the volume, are required.
In a species aquarium, use aquarium plants Southeast Asia. It is better to plant tall aquarium plants on the sides and in the background of the aquarium, and lower ones in the center, perhaps ground cover - this way you will provide the fish with a place to swim. There should be fine, smooth soil at the bottom. You can use driftwood, they will provide Changa-ranga with shelter. Snags and other shelters are especially relevant in a mixed aquarium.
The lighting is quite average. The temperature should be maintained at 25 - 27 degrees, so you will need a heater.
If the glass perch was kept in salted water at the pet store, then it can be introduced directly into a mature brackish aquarium. If it was previously kept in a freshwater tank, it needs slow acclimatization to salt water in a quarantine aquarium.
For salting, use sea salt, instead of table water, it contains only sodium chloride. The specific gravity of fresh water is 1,000, and sea water 1.020, you want a specific gravity in the range of 1.005 - 1.010, which is about 1-2 teaspoons of sea salt per liter of water. First, dissolve sea salt in water and then add water to the aquarium. When acclimatizing, start by adding a solution of 10 tablespoons per 100 liters of water to the aquarium and bring the water to the desired concentration over three weeks.
To take accurate readings specific gravity use a hydrometer. Instead of evaporated water, fresh water is added to the salted aquarium, without adding salt. Again, the best size for a salt water aquarium is 110 liters.
Only very hardy aquarium plants will survive in salt water. The most accessible and common ones are those that can be attached to snags and stones. Java moss will also work.
Compatibility
Compatibility in freshwater aquarium
In freshwater aquarium neighbors are suitable for glass perch - they will create a good contrast to colorless aquarium fish with their colors, shape and behavior. Also suitable various types bots are like bottom dwellers.
Compatibility in a salt aquarium
The choice of aquarium neighbors in this case is more limited than in a freshwater one. As bottom dwellers, you can choose a pair of colorful spotted etroplus cichlids. These fish reach a size of only 7.5 cm and are relatively calm. They will take care of their fry and are unlikely to pester the glass perch that lives in the middle and upper tier aquarium Just like bottom dweller A bee goby or two or three knight gobies will do. Black mollies (few fins) also adapt to salty conditions and two or three fish will be able to get along with the perches.
Feed and feeding
In nature it feeds annelids, crustaceans and other invertebrates.
All the above tankmates glass fish will happily take dry food, but glass perch may refuse such food and you will need to feed it live and frozen foods: bloodworms, daphnia, coretra, brine shrimp. Maybe over time your fish will get used to taking dry flakes, or they are already accustomed to it - it’s better to clarify this question when purchasing.
Differences between a male and a female
Juvenile males and females are very similar, the adult male Changa-ranga has a slightly larger dorsal and anal fins, framed gray. The female's fins are completely colorless.
Reproduction
IN natural environment glass perch habitat breeds during the rainy season, when temperatures are high and rain softens the water. Reservoirs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams overflow their banks, due to which a lot of living food products end up in the water.
If glass perch are kept in salt water, a massive water change to fresh water will reduce the salt percentage and may encourage the fish to spawn.
Glass perch often spawn in community aquarium, but the eggs are usually eaten, so spawning requires a separate container filled with soft water, and the temperature should be 28 degrees. Add Thai fern to the spawning tank - these fish naturally spawn on broadleaf plants. You can install a sponge filter with a weak flow.
Females have less colorful fins than males. They are placed in a spawning tank and fed with live food for about a week so that they are well filled with eggs. When the females are ready, the males are released into the aquarium at night. Spawning begins with the first rays of the sun. After the fish have scattered their eggs among the plants, they must be removed from the aquarium to prevent them from eating them. You can add a few drops of methylene blue to the spawning tank to protect the eggs from fungus.
The fry hatch after about 24 hours and remain hanging, attached to the plants, for another three to four days. At this time, the fry feed on the yolk sac. When the baby goes to free swimming, they need to start feeding them ciliates, liquid food (mashed yolk or commercial food) until they grow to a size where they can take Artemia nauplii.
In an aquarium with fry, frequent water changes are also necessary to avoid contamination.
Where to buy
IN at the moment in Ukraine I know only one place where you can buy glass perch - the Nano fish online store.
The Indian glass perch is a small, peaceful aquarium fish belonging to the glass perch family. This family is quite large and includes up to fifty species, differing in size, degree of transparency of the body and its shade. In the wild, it is an inhabitant of fresh and brackish water bodies in India. This species is a spawning species.
In captivity, the size of these fish rarely exceeds 4 cm; in freedom they can reach 7-8 cm. IN at a young age they are especially transparent. As they grow older, males acquire a golden tint; they are slightly brighter than females, and during the spawning period they are easily distinguished by the bright edging of their fins.
Life expectancy is average - up to four years in good conditions.
Often in stores there are specimens painted in all sorts of colors. bright colors backs. This is nothing more than a sales ploy designed to attract a buyer. When purchasing these babies, be prepared for the fact that they will live much less than their allotted lifespan, and bright paint It will disappear in about three months.
Glass perches are schooling creatures; they should be kept in numbers of at least eight individuals (ideally twelve). For such a group choose an elongated aquarium with a volume of about one hundred liters (a little less is possible, but not advisable). Fish prefer well-settled water with a temperature of 22-27°C, hardness ranges from 8 to 20°dH, acidity is almost standard - 7-8.5pH. Occasionally it is useful to add sea or table salt (1-2 teaspoons for 10 liters). Water changes can be done once a week (maximum tenth of the volume). Be careful, the parameters of fresh water should not differ from aquarium water.
Both gravel and sand are suitable for the soil, but choose dark shades - for dark background your glass will look much better. But choose bright enough lighting, ideally sunlight.
The presence of a filter, as well as aeration, is mandatory. Any will do, it’s good if there are some floating on the surface and growing (preferably in pots). Make sure your plants don't mind salted water.
Preferable food is live (tubifex, daphnia, cyclops, etc.) or frozen. When fed with dry food, these fish may stop reproducing; in addition, he is not particularly fond of them. Food should be given once or twice a day in small portions. For the fry, the first couple weeks will do « living dust", in subsequent months, nauplii and rotifers, and as they grow, other live food (preferably in crushed form).
Glass perch compatibility
Glass perch is a calm and slow fish; it is much better to keep them in a species aquarium, or you should choose neighbors who are equally calm in temperament and similar in size. They are well compatible with tetras, guppies, and corydoras. When choosing roommates for them, make sure that they also tolerate salted water well, or use only fresh water without adding salt.
Reproduction
These fish are willing to breed in a community aquarium, provided the conditions are right. However, to preserve the offspring, it is recommended to place individuals ready for spawning in a spawning tank. Volume – 20-40 liters per couple, if there are more fish, increase to 80 liters. The height of the water in it is about 20-30cm. To stimulate spawning, water should be add salt and raise its temperature a couple of degrees. For one male they take a pair of females. Algae should be planted in the aquarium (preferably small-leaved bushes). Each male chooses a bush or a cluster of algae and carefully guards it.
Spawning itself lasts from two to four days. During this time, the female lays up to 200 eggs, which are attached to the plants. When the mating process is completed, the parents should be returned to the common aquarium.
The ripening time for caviar is two to three days. It takes about three more days for the larvae to develop into fry. At this time, low lighting in the spawning tank should be constantly present, and it should also be cleaned frequently. The fry grow slowly and, despite puberty already at six months of age, they acquire their final color by nine months.
Video: Glass perch
IN early age The fish has a unique body transparency, which is why it was called transparent perch. All skin and muscle tissue are so transparent that they make it easy to study internal structure fish. Already in mature age, males Transparent perches acquire a golden color, while the color of the fins becomes rimmed with blue.
Origin
The main habitat and origin of perch are the reservoirs of Thailand, Burma and India. Glass perch appeared in Europe in 1905. He was brought to Germany for future breeding.
Characteristic
In our open spaces, specialists in the study of fish call this type of perch ducat. And all because some individuals are almost the color of pure gold.
In captivity, glass perch can reach sizes of only 3-4 cm in length. But in the natural environment they grow up to 6 cm.
The lateral part of the fish's body is significantly thickened.
Glass perches - extraordinary beautiful fish.
The habitat of glass perch can be both clean fresh and brackish water. Abroad, such perches are often kept in aquariums with sea water. But the presence of sea water is not necessary. The main requirements for water are transparency and slight oxidation. This type of fish does not cause any harm to the soil and plants. To keep glass perch, the water temperature in the aquarium should be within +16 + 25C. According to some reports, this fish is able to withstand more severe temperature fluctuations.
Feeding
Most auspicious food Cyclops act as fry for glass perch. The younger the cyclops, the better for the fry of the perch. 14 days after birth, you can switch to powdered food.
Sexually mature perches prefer to linger in the middle layers of water; their location is most often determined by the amount and type of food available there. Ducat perch prefer to feed on various plankton (including daphnia), insect larvae (mosquito, bloodworms) and even small fish, which act as food for many large fish.
Breeding
Natural place glass perch habitat - India.
During the spawning period, one female glass perch is capable of laying from 6 to 10 portions of eggs. Each serving size contains up to 200 larvae. Plants with small leaves and roots provide excellent spawning sites for these bass. Within a day, the larvae emerge from their shelters, but continue to swim for another 2-3 days.
Compatibility
This type of fish is peaceful, so it is quite suitable for growing in an aquarium. They pose no danger even to the most delicate and rare plants, unlike other fish.
The perch is called glass because its skin is so transparent that you can see through it. the most important organs and bone structure. This type fish are popularly called a toy for humans, let us explain why. People artificially They paint the fish with luminescent paints, driving the pigment under their skin. On sale you can find perches with bright pink, yellow, blue, green stripes. It looks impressive, especially when the fish are kept in schools.
Description
As the name suggests, this variety aquatic life belongs to the perch family. The body has a transparent structure, with a slight grayish sheen. The side parts are flattened, the fish look almost colorless. Against the backdrop of thickets and snags, they can be easily missed. They grow up to 8 cm in size.
The abdominal region and head are gray with a silver tint. The rest of the body is transparent, the bones and spine are visible. There is a double fin on the back, the same can be said about the forked tail. The anal fin is located along the perimeter of the body. As for the duration of existence, fish live from two years.
Content Features
- For quite a long time, fish have been kept in aquarium conditions. Perches received the tag “difficult to care for”, since many believed that representatives of this family can only be kept in salt water.
- If we consider life in the natural environment, fish live in schools. Accordingly, they must be kept in the same way in the aquarium (from 8 individuals or more). It is necessary to exclude aggressive neighbors; fish are very cowardly.
- In cases where only a couple of these cute inhabitants are kept, they are constantly hiding. Pisces are deprived of a sense of security when there are few relatives of the same group next to them.
- Before buying new pets, you need to make sure they are in absolute health. The fins should be wide and not compressed. Before purchasing, check the details of feeding, this is important.
- Before bringing the fish into their new home, prepare and arrange the aquarium. Big role water plays, it can be fresh or salty. Pisces love standing water, not freshly poured water.
- If the fish were kept in salty liquid before purchasing, then you need to achieve acclimatization before introducing the fish into fresh water. For 10 days, replace 15% of salt water with fresh water, gradually transferring the fish to new conditions.
- One individual receives 10 liters. water. Stick to the following indicators: hardness - 5 units, acidity - 7 units, temperature - 26 degrees. Use external system filters to ensure that your water is free of nitrites and ammonia.
- Use filters for cleaning, they will remove most of the dirt. But weekly, as a supplement, drain a third of the water and add new water.
- Vegetation must be provided for the fish. Long plants are planted along the side parts of the home, and short ones in the center. This will allow the fish to feel safe and provide plenty of room to swim.
- Choose fine-caliber soil as bedding. It is also necessary to take care of the presence of shelters in the form of grottoes, clay pots, and driftwood. As for lighting, choose lamps with diffused light.
- If upon purchase you were told that perches live in salted water, then you need to place the fish in the same liquid upon arrival home. The water does not have to be freshly prepared; let it sit for a while.
- When store bass live in fresh water, they need acclimatization. You need to achieve the desired concentration within 3 weeks. For 10 l. you will have to add a teaspoon of sea salt.
- The salt is not immediately poured into the aquarium, but is first combined with water. The finished solution is poured onto the fish. After 3 weeks they will get used to it.
- To accurately measure specific gravity readings, it is recommended to use a hydrometer. As soon as the aquarium evaporates salt water, it is necessary to add fresh water. There is no need to add salt. At the same time, the best volume of an aquarium is considered to be about 110 liters.
- Keep in mind that if you are going to grow algae in an aquarium, only the hardiest ones can survive in salt water. Thai ferns are considered the most popular and widespread. They can be attached to stones and all kinds of snags without any problems.
- In addition, you can grow Java moss. Keep in mind that if you are going to keep fish in salt water, the temperature in the environment should be about 25 degrees. Try to maintain such indicators. Monitor the condition of the fish carefully.
Compatibility
- Glass perches are considered fairly harmless and peaceful inhabitants. Therefore, they can become easy prey for aggressive predators. Perches are accustomed to staying close to shelters; such fish are very shy.
- It is recommended to keep the individuals in question in flocks of at least 6-7 pieces. This way the perches will feel safe. If you decide to get one fish or a pair, it will be a huge stress for them.
- Do not forget that before purchasing, you must inquire about the water in which the individuals lived. It would also be a good idea to observe how the individuals feed. If the fish ate willingly before your eyes, then you can safely buy them.
- Do not forget that it is strongly recommended to place perches in a pre-settled aquarium. The problem is that such individuals are very capricious towards new environment habitat. It is recommended to keep perch with small barbs, cuneiform rasboras, rainbowfish and zebrafish.
- When selecting aquarium neighbors, do not forget about the degree of salinity of the environment. Bee gobies and mollies will take root in brackish water without any problems. However, keeping tetradons in such an environment is strictly prohibited. Peaceful catfish from the Coridaros family will also be excellent neighbors. You can have shrimp.
Feeding
- In the wild, perches are accustomed to feeding on small crustaceans, invertebrates and annelids. All the inhabitants who were previously listed will enjoy dry food with pleasure. Keep in mind that perch may refuse such food.
- It is recommended to feed the fish in question with live food or fresh frozen food. Perches are excellent eaters of coretra, bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Perhaps, after some time, the individuals in question will begin to try dry food flakes. It's worth asking in advance similar question from the seller.
Glass perches are considered a kind of toy for humans. Be careful when purchasing. Provide the right conditions content. Find out in advance what kind of water the individuals lived in and what they ate. Such fish are real cowards, so be careful when choosing your neighbors. Keep perches exclusively in schools. The aquarium must have shelters.
Video: aquarium fish glass perch