Aquarium fishes of sharks barbs are representatives of the family of carp. For us, this is a relatively new fish, it did not enter our aquariums until the late 1970s. In the nature of sharks, the barbs grow to 35 cm, but in the aquarium only up to 20 cm. The shark's barbs have a large mouth and eyes, a flattened narrow body, there is no mustache. The predominant color is silvery-gray.
Shark barbus content
For a good development of a shark barbeque it is worth taking care of a large aquarium of at least 150-200 liters. Like other types of barbs , this fish is very mobile. If it is cramped, then development and growth will be disrupted, and life expectancy will also decrease. In good conditions, he lives up to 10 years.
The shark barbus is very active and often jumps out of the water, so it's worthwhile to cover the aquarium. An important aspect are shelters - snags, stones and plants with hard leaves. In a natural environment, this species prefers to live in running water, so the aquarium requires filtration and aeration, as well as a weekly substitution of 30% water.
The content of the shark barbeque is most comfortable at 22-27 ° C, pH 6.5-7.5. At the bottom of a layer of 1 cm laid pebbles. Set the aquarium better near the window, so that the light day is not less than 8 hours, but direct sunlight should be avoided.
Shark barbus is less susceptible to disease, can occur aeromonosis and rubella carps. Recovery is facilitated by a bath of table salt (a solution of 5-7 g / l) or biomycin (1 t / 25 l).
Shark barbus - food and compatibility
The diet of the shark barbeque is a living and vegetable food. Motyl is better not to feed, there is a risk of digestive system disorders. From vegetable well eats the scalded leaves of dandelion, spinach, nettle, spinach. The fry are given artemia or rotifers.
The shark barbus has good compatibility with strong, large fish. These can be barbs of other species, except for veil, minors, gourami, iris, tetra, and others. Badly compatible sharks barbs with any fry, small fish, as well as with sluggish and veil fish.
Shark barbus - breeding
Sexual maturity occurs about 2-3 years, when growth becomes 13 cm. The male is smaller than the female and puberty reaches somewhat later. In close aquariums (up to 120 liters) multiplies extremely rarely.
If you decide to try to breed a shark barbeque, the most beautiful, healthy, strong individuals are planted in a separate aquarium at the age of 4 months and fed only high-quality food, observing good conditions of detention. First of all, pure water is important.
A rectangular spawning 10-15 liters will be required. At the bottom lay a grid, on top of it lay a little green line or plants with small leaves, for example, Javanese moss. The spa should be equipped with a filter, a compressor and a thermoregulator. Stimulation of spawning can serve as a gradual rise in temperature by 3-5 ° C. Before spawning, the female is noticeably fuller, and at this time the fish are transplanted into spawning grounds at night. Group breeding is more effective than a pair. The ratio in the group dilution is 1: 1.
After a few hours, some of the eggs will become white, which means that it has remained unfertilized and should be removed. Then make a water change and turn on the aeration. Larvae will appear in the next 24 hours, and in 3-4 days they will become fry. Babies are given live dust and infusoria, after 4-5 days you can enter fodder for fry (artemia, nauplii Cyclops or rotifers). The growth of fish is uneven, so from time to time you need to sort them.