The appearance of aquarium fish parrot is not due to nature, but to the work of Asian breeders who crossed several species of cichlases. Bright and cute fish called "parrot" due to its curved head, resembling the head of a bird, as well as mottled color. Today, fish parrots are the favorite inhabitants of aquariums around the world.
How do fish look like parrots?
Fish looks like a cartoon character. Her unusual body shape, touching cheeks and a funny expression, not like ordinary fish, singles it out among other inhabitants of domestic ponds. The description of the parrot's fish will certainly include the mention of its peace-loving nature and high level of intelligence. The main drawback of cichlids - aggressiveness and moroseness - it did not inherit.
Color of fish parrots
The main color of the parrot cichlid fish is bright orange or red. Over time, it can become paler, but if this happens, you need to add carotene to the diet, and the color will again become bright. Rarer, but there are albino parrots of white or light yellow lemon color. Other exotic colors (crimson, violet, green, blue, etc.) - this is just the result of artificial chemical staining. Fishes that have gone through this procedure are more likely to get sick because of weakened immunity. And the color itself is unstable - it is gradually washed away.
In addition to monochrome coloring, the aquarium fish of the parrot can be spotted - panda and marble, variegated pearl and diamond. The last two colors were obtained after crossing red parrots and other species of cichlases. If a single-colored fish suddenly has black spots, this indicates a stressful situation. After eliminating the factor that provoked it, the spots go away.
How many fish do parrots live?
Fish parrot in the aquarium can live more than 10 years. On average, their life span, provided that all the necessary conditions of detention and absence of congenital diseases are met, is 7 years. Fishes are generally strong and tenacious. What is interesting is that over time they begin to recognize their master and swim to the front wall of the aquarium at his appearance. This and other signs of intelligence distinguish data from representatives of the underwater world.
Aquarium fish parrot - content
Fish parrot in care and maintenance is unpretentious and simple, because it is ideal for beginners aquarists. It should be understood that because of the features of anatomy - the shape of your mouth, they can not absorb certain types of feed. In general, if you follow simple rules of content, fish feel great and please owners with their longevity, playfulness and beauty.
Aquarium for fish parrots
Fish parrot in the aquarium will behave very fluidly, because the size of the tank should be large - its length should be at least 70 cm, the volume - from 200 liters. It is important to install all necessary equipment in the aquarium:
- a pump for simulating the easy movement of water;
- compressor for oxygen enrichment;
- filter for water purification;
- a lamp for moderate lighting;
- thermometer for constant temperature control.
It is advisable to purchase a lid for the aquarium, as the aquarium fish parrot can jump out of the water and die. To the vegetation and the type of soil, parrots are not exacting, but their shelter must be certain. This is important because these fish have a clear hierarchical distribution within the group, and for all of them there must be separate "houses". These can be shards, halves of coconut shells, winding snags, etc.
Water temperature for parrot fish
The permissible water temperature for keeping the parrot fish is within + 22-28 ° C. Other parameters of water are important here:
- rigidity 6-15 °;
- acidity 6.5-7.5 pH;
- complete absence of ammonia, ammonia and nitrates.
Who do fish parrots get along with?
Since the nature of the fish parrot is peaceful, its compatibility with other fish is very good. They get on well with quiet neighbors, and with predators. Ideal compatibility is observed with catfish , South American cichlids, arovan, scalyarias and black knives. As for small fishes, aquarium fish parrot can accidentally swallow them, perceiving as food, because this neighborhood is best avoided.
Fish Parrots - Care
Aquarium fish cichdida parrot has a peculiarity of care, which consists in the fact that they often need to replace 30% of the water in the aquarium. This is explained by the fact that the parrot fish in the aquarium leaves a lot of food waste that falls to the bottom and leads to water pollution, and this can lead to poisoning of the inhabitants and their death. This is due to the characteristics of the feeding.
What to feed the fish parrots?
As already mentioned, fish parrots have a very unusual anatomy. Their mouth opens on a small angle, because of what their feeding is difficult. Not knowing about this feature, you can bring the animals to starvation. For them, a special food, presented in the form of small granules, is sold. The peculiarity of such food is also that it first floats on the surface, and then slowly sinks to the bottom. This gives an additional opportunity for fish, but because of this, a lot of waste remains on the bottom, so frequent cleaning should become something for the owner of something self-evident.
In addition, the food for parrotfishes is suitable for both living and frozen. Large fodder such as shrimp meat and cut worms also fit perfectly. If you want to "tint" the parrots, you can give them artificial fodders with a high content of carotene. At the same time feeding parrots only dry food is harmful - they should be only part of their diet. Sometimes it is useful for them to give crushed vegetable food - zucchini, peas, red pepper. Feeding should be 1-2 times a day. Once a week, you can arrange a day off.
Parrot Fish Disease
Fish parrot, like any cichlid, has good immunity and resistance to disease. Under the right conditions, the content is almost never sick, and even becoming ill, it is well treatable. The most common ailments that an aquarium home parrot fish can get:
- Manka (or ichthyothyroid) is a common aquarium disease that is caused by infusoria. Understand that the fish can get sick from their fins, which are covered with white bumps, like semolina. Some red fish parrots brought from Asia develop a tropical form of the disease, which develops at lightning speed and for several hours leads to death. Therefore, the treatment should begin immediately after the discovery of signs of the disease.
- Hexamycin. This disease is caused by flagellates, affecting the intestine. Recognize their presence can be on white mucous excrement, the refusal of fish from food, its spitting. Later on the head appear small sores.
- Poisoning with ammonia with the wrong content - too dense accumulation of fish, improper start of the aquarium. When poisoning the fins of the parrots become red or black, they acquire a worn appearance. Fish begin to suffocate, their gills bulge, fish try to stay close to the filter. To save the situation you can often change the water - several times a day, pouring solution of potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide or special preparations for aquariums such as Antimammak.
Parrot fish breeding
Because of artificial origin, parrotfish and reproduction in the aquarium are incompatible concepts. Males are completely sterile, that is, they are unable to fertilize eggs. And yet, at the age of 1.5, they begin to break into pairs, lead a marriage game, build a nest. The female lays eggs, together they strongly guard it. However, due to lack of fertilization, the eggs grow white with time, and the fish eat it.
Parrot spawning parrots
The only way to see how the parrot fish multiplies is to reduce the parrot female to another representative of cichlids. From such an alliance it is often possible to get a viable offspring, although not like a parrot. To activate the instinct of reproduction, the temperature in the aquarium is raised to + 25 ° C. Parrots and cichlids begin actively digging the soil and building nests. It is very interesting to watch the game of fish. Deferred and fertilized eggs on day 5-6 are transformed into fry. A few days later, they begin to move and eat independently.