Aquarium fishes: Labeo

Fish Labeo in nature is found in small overgrown with fresh water reservoirs with clear water in Africa and south-east Asia. Labeo always stay in the middle of the water or near the bottom.

Labeo body elongated, slightly compressed laterally. In nature, Labeo can reach 20 cm, but inaquarium, the maximum length will be no more than 10 cm. In the Labeo, the lower mouth is similar to the scraper-sucker, so these fish are adapted for scraping off algae from the surface of the bottom of water bodies. Also, the Labeo can be fed with live or dry food, but the feeding in the form of algae is mandatory. Therefore, every two weeks it is desirable to immerse the glass in the aquarium with the algae growing on it.

In aquariums about 20 species are bred, the most popular are Labeo two-color and green. Labeo two-color is a fish with black-velvetbody and red hovstom. At the green labo in red all fins are painted, and the body has a dark olive color with a slight bronze outflow. The fins of all species of Labeo are well developed. Dorsal fin very high and sharp, like a shark. Also in aquariums you can often see Labeo albinos. But blue, Congolese, pink-nosed and other kinds of Labeo are very rare.

All kinds of Labeo are quite aggressive - males are fighting for their territory. Therefore, it is necessary to create the right conditions for maintaining the Labeo. Labeo likes light large aquariums with mandatory air aeration and a small current. Ideally, one fish requires 80 liters of water. Naturally, such conditions are very difficult to recreate. Therefore, it is necessary to use a large number of algae, by means of which the aquarium is divided into zones. Each male will take his territory to which he will not let other laboos. And the algae will serve as a fence, so that the fish can not see each other. By the way, the algae in the aquarium should be with large leaves that will create a shadow.

In addition, for Labeo need different caves in which they will hide. Therefore, consider that in yourThe aquarium had various sea stones and driftwood. In the formed passages fish can stay for a long time. The soil in the aquarium should be dark in color. Light in the aquarium should be scattered. Keep the water temperature from 23 to 27 ° C.

The breeding of Labeo is quite problematic. The matter is that for spawning a labo is requireda very large aquarium with a capacity of 500-800 liters. It should also be noted that in the aquarium for spawning should be a strong current, good aeration and a suitable water temperature (28 ° C). Also, the process of breeding Labeo is complicated by the fact that they need hormonal injections, which will stimulate the process of throwing caviar in females.

Fish, selected for spawning, for 1-2 weeks kept separately. Without hormonal injections, it is very difficult to achievespawning of the Labeo. Therefore, the muscles of the back of each fish introduce hormones. Producers should be set aside for 3-4 hours from each other. Then the spawning will begin in a couple of hours. Eggs, floating in the water column, do not touch fish, but they are eaten by those that sank to the bottom. Therefore, after the spawning period, fish-producers are removed from their aquarium.

After 1-2 hours after spawning it is necessary to sort caviar, choosing unfertilized eggs of white color. The rest of the eggs are transferred to a small incubator with the same water and a weak aeration. After two days the fry begin to swim and eat independently. As feed for Labe fry, live dust, infusoria, rotifers and algae dressing are used.

In general, Labeo can hold even a very experienced aquarist. Do not forget that Labeo males are quite aggressive in relation to their species, but with other fish they get along very well. They can attack only those who look like their kind. Samochek and males are difficult to distinguish from each other. But females are much larger than males and they do not have a bright color.