In natural conditions, a colorful blue dolphin settled in East Africa (Lake Malawi). Aquarium fish blue dolphin feels best outside of a hostile environment, but content with other inhabitants is possible, given the compatibility. Body size varies from 20 to 6 cm. Females are less effective and have faded blue-gray color, and males are more colorful, because their bright blue color is poured by mother-of-pearl. In grown-up males, an outgrowth resembling a hump grows above the eyes, which makes them similar to dolphins.
Compatibility of the blue dolphin
Aquarium fish blue dolphin compared with other types of cichlids is more accommodating, and its compatibility is real with large catfishes and barbs , representatives of medium-sized cichlids (Malavi peacocks, Lemon yellow Mbyna and Synodontis). But the meeting with cichlids, who came from Lake Victoria and Tanganyika, will have a dramatic character.
One male is kept with two females or two males with three females.
Content
Lake Malawi is filled with hard water of alkaline type, and the native element is most friendly for all species, whose ancestors lived in its depths.
The content of aquarium fish blue dolphin is most favorable at a water temperature of 24-28 ° C and a stiffness of 5-20 °. In order to make the blue dolphin feel free and comfortable, it is desirable to create the following conditions for him in the aquarium:
- Water should have Ph7.2-8.5.
- Filtration and aeration systems.
- Water is substituted weekly for 20% of the total.
- For each inhabitant it is necessary to allocate 5-10 liters of water.
- Ideal conditions assume a capacity of 120 liters or more.
Plants improve water quality, but the blue dolphin tends to dig up plants, so most aquariums provided to this type of fish do not have plants.