These lovely mustachioed mustaches were always loyal fans. What is so attractive to people tarakatumy? The main reasons are two - an unusual appearance and funny behavior. They resemble miniature pigs digging in the ground. Their main attraction is the long antennae, located on the broad head. Additionally, the intestinal breath causes them to rise periodically to the surface to collect air. This habit they have remained since the times when the catfish lived in the native waters of South America. We will try to tell you a little about these interesting fishes, answering the most common questions concerning their breeding and content.
Somik tarakatum - content
Watch their fussy behavior for hours. But think carefully before buying a tarakatuma. Very often, their floundering leads to the fact that the water becomes cloudy. After all, they work not only their heads, but also rather strong fins. Some very delicate plants can not stand such a long time. Catfish grow large enough - up to 14-16 cm in length, and they will not have enough for a small aquarium. Tarakatums are distinguished by great endurance. They are used to their native land to small overgrown ponds, where there is not a lot of oxygen in the water. Often they survive where others do not hold out long.
The volume of the aquarium should be at least a hundred liters. Well, that it was closed with a lid, there were cases when the catfighters managed to jump out. The water temperature should be 22-28 degrees, rigidity - 6-7,5 pH. Catfish feed is usually sought on the surface of the soil. They do not need to be invited for long, the tarakatums are usually the first to be near the feeder. An obligatory condition is the presence in the aquarium of various grottos, caves, stones, snags, thickets of plants. Catfish adore hiding places. Try to make sure that their number corresponds to the number of your tarakatumov.
Somik tarakatum - breeding
In the homeland, catfishes are attached to the lower surface of aquatic plants. To succeed in the propagation of catfishes of tarakatums, one must resort to cunning. In the aquarium, the leaves of tropical plants can replace pieces of polystyrene, attached in a secluded corner with a small sucker. If you have several catfishes, then the number of such "nests" should correspond to the number of males or even exceed it. Otherwise, one can not avoid fighting between them. After spawning the foam is transferred to an incubator with the same conditions as in the previous aquarium. It is noticed that males are not bad fathers, and they never eat caviar. The incubation takes about 5 days. Two days later, the larvae turn into fry. Young animals do not need strong lighting, and grow rapidly. Feed males can infusoria, artemia, cut pipe.
Somik tarakatum - disease
These fish lead a sedentary life, and quite often beginning aquarists do not immediately notice the symptoms of the disease. Catfish have furunculosis, mycobacteriosis, various infections of the gill plates, and other diseases that affect the fish. Try to monitor their appearance, so as not to miss the first signs of any kind of frustration. It can be incomprehensible spots, changes in the color of the trunk,
Catfish aquarium tarakatum has a relatively large size, but it is not dangerous for other residents. He has a peaceful nature, and he simply does not pay attention to neighbors. Most carnivores predators are too tough, in addition they are equipped with strong protective plates. But with predatory cichlids , cocky labeo and botsiya they may have a dispute over the territory. Therefore, they often do not get along with them. But usually there are no special problems with funny catfishes among aquarists.