Water temperature for catfish in an aquarium. Aquarium catfish. Types of aquarium catfish: description and photo. What species live in aquariums

Aquarium catfish live and reproduce well in captivity. They are distinguished from other fish by the absence of scales, but some species, such as the chain-mail catfish family, have fused plates throughout their bodies that resemble a shell. Representatives of this family inhabit fresh water bodies, so they are perfect for an aquarium. In nature, there are more than 2 thousand catfish of various sizes and colors.

Aquarium fish catfish are orderlies. They like to swim closer to the bottom of glass reservoirs, where it is darker than on the surface, and pick up food debris from stones and clean microorganisms and silt from them.

Both small and large representatives of the catfish family coexist in one aquarium. The size of giant catfish suitable for home breeding reaches 35 cm. This is exactly the length of the brocade pterygoplicht as an adult.

Most catfish are unpretentious eaters, but there are also predators, due to which fish often disappear. Very interesting representative catfish – sacbranch catfish. It is distinguished from other individuals by the presence of poisonous thorns, the injection of which is painful, although not fatal.

Popular types of aquarium catfish

Only a few varieties aquarium catfish found in domestic ponds. The chain catfish family is popular among beginners and professionals.

They are distinguished by the presence of bone plates that cover the elongated body. Males are usually longer and brighter than females. In adult individuals, tentacles grow on the head - numerous outgrowths. In nutrition, chain catfish are unpretentious. Their diet consists of plants, but they will also happily eat bloodworms or fillets of sea fish.

Common types of aquarium catfish:

1. Antennae or pimelod catfish. In nature, they live in rivers, so in captivity they require only filtered, oxygenated water. They do not have suckers, unlike most species of catfish, so they lead an active lifestyle. Antennas can be very small in size - up to 5 centimeters, but there are also real giants that grow up to 60 cm in length.

   

2. Agamiks. These peaceful fish reach 10 cm in length. They are known for their love of nocturnal life, so during the day they prefer to hide in shelters. Agamiks love to dig in the silt that settles to the bottom, so their appearance can be seen by clouds of turbidity. To enjoy your pet, it is better to place it in an aquarium with coarse soil.

   

3. . These orderly catfish feel great in large aquariums along with other representatives of their genus. They prefer plant foods, so if there is a lack of it, they can eat algae. During the day, pterygoplichts hide in shelters, which is why a home pond must have a fish house and a lot of vegetation.

   

4. Ancistrus. This one is found in 30 varieties. Avid aquarists often call the fish sticky fish, since they are larger than 10 cm and feed exclusively plant foods. They will also not refuse cabbage leaves and spinach, scalded with boiling water, as well as pumpkin and a slice of cucumber.

   

5. . Another representative of chain-mailed catfish. The most famous of them are speckled catfish () and. These fish are distinguished by their fancy colors and the presence of 3 pairs of antennae.

   

6. Loricaria. Belongs to the carapace family. The size of an adult fish reaches 12 cm, while males are much slimmer than females and are distinguished by a characteristic fleecy brush on the chest.

   

Catfish do not eat garbage and food waste, so you shouldn’t start them only for these purposes. They also need care, special living conditions and quality food.

Selection and arrangement of an aquarium

Aquarium catfish is an unpretentious fish. To keep it at home you will need a spacious aquarium with a wide bottom. The only important condition is that the water in the container must be replaced on time and there must be good system filtering.

Volume

You should choose a home pond depending on the size of the aquarium fish that will live in it. If for small species of catfish a container with a volume of 50–200 liters is sufficient, then for larger representatives the minimum tank volume is 300 liters.

Decor

The aquarium should have houses for fish, since without shelter they will be uncomfortable. Usually, to do this, there should be enough driftwood and stones in the aquarium so that the catfish can hide under them during the day and have a good rest before dusk. Since most catfish lead a solitary lifestyle, without good shelter they can suffer greatly.

Water

Aquarium catfish should be kept in clean, filtered, unsalted water, as in nature they prefer fresh water bodies. The liquid temperature should be 22–28 °C. Thanks to skin respiration and the ability to breathe regular air the catfish rise to the surface, filling their lungs. This quality makes the fish unpretentious to the oxygen regime.

Lighting

Most catfish living at home choose the dark time of day to stay awake. Therefore, there is no need to additionally supply the aquarium with lighting devices. They are comfortable with dim light, and if it is possible to provide them with constant partial shade, then the fish will be able to swim in daytime days.

Plants

It is recommended to choose vegetation depending on the type of catfish that will live in the aquarium. For vegetarian fish that eat exclusively plant foods, it is better to organize plantings of artificial algae. Natural ones will be eaten very quickly. Of living plants, only representatives with a good root system, such as cryptocorynes and echinodorus, are suitable.

Priming

Aquarium catfish are not picky when it comes to choosing soil. Some species that like to “comb” the bottom of the container raise clouds of turbidity if it is covered with sand. For them it is better to choose coarse-grained soil. The only exception is gravel, which can damage the fish's abdomen and antennae.

Caring for catfish in an aquarium will not cause much trouble for the owner. An important condition for the survival of these fish is timely feeding. If the reservoir is equipped with shelters, algae grows, and a comfortable temperature and water hardness are ensured, then caring for them is a pleasure.

What to feed catfish

Feeding catfish will also not cause much trouble for the owner. If there are other fish in the aquarium, there is no need to feed the catfish specially. They perfectly feed on the remains of food lying on the bottom, while simultaneously cleaning it, so you don’t have to specially feed them. Pieces of fish, shrimp and flakes sold in pet stores are ideal food for aquarium catfish. In addition, for predatory representatives small neighbors in the aquarium can become food. When choosing such species, you need to remember that catfish can not eat fish. large sizes.

How long do catfish live?

The most major representatives, living in nature, can live up to 100 years, but domestic fish are not so long-lived. Depending on the type of catfish and the conditions of its maintenance, the average lifespan of catfish is 8 years, provided that they live aquarium catfish in suitable conditions.

Compatibility with other fish

When buying fish, you need to know exactly who the catfish get along with in the aquarium, because each species has its own preferences.

In life, these catfish are very peaceful, they do not start fights with other inhabitants of the reservoir, but they can conflict with each other. The only threat to them comes from large fish, for example, large astronotus, which are capable of swallowing their prey whole.

Some species of speckled catfish will not get along with tail-biting fish.

Catfish are not compatible with fish small size, such as guppies or neons - they can become food for predators. It is better to add herbivorous species of catfish to such neighbors.

Reproduction

You can stimulate the reproduction of catfish by lowering the water temperature in the aquarium. The spawning period lasts up to 5 days, and during this time the female and several males must be transplanted into a spawning tank - a special container with a volume of 30 to 70 liters. You can also breed fish in a plastic basin if there is no other free container. It is advisable to additionally equip it with driftwood and plants so that the fish feel comfortable. The suitable water temperature for breeding catfish is 18–20 °C.

The main thing is to correctly determine the sex of the fish. It is usually not difficult to distinguish a female from a male; the male has more bright color and a slim body. Changes in water temperature accelerate the onset of spawning. Courtship lasts about 1 week, while the male tries to show himself in all his glory. He circles around the lady, trying to arouse her interest. When the female pays attention to him, the male touches her with his antennae, indicating his readiness to reproduce.

Conclusion

It is interesting to watch aquarium catfish - they either crawl along the glass, clearing them of silt, or “comb” the bottom in search of food remains, or hide in shelters. It is their active life that makes catfish so attractive among other fish species. It is noteworthy that even a beginner in aquarium keeping can find a suitable pet for himself, thanks to the large number and diversity of species of the catfish family.

The underwater world is a mysterious and fascinating environment, be it depths of the sea, river bottom or... home aquarium. In the latter case, the beauty and biological diversity of a home pond depend solely on the taste and knowledge of its owner. It is necessary to take a responsible approach not only to the design of the aquarium, but also to the choice of its living inhabitants.

Reasons for popularity

Aquarium catfish are one of the most common “domestic” fish. Their popularity can be explained by the following reasons:

One of important points is right choice aquarium according to the size of the fish. Depending on the species, the size of adult catfish can reach thirty centimeters in length. Therefore, you should choose a fairly spacious aquarium in which the fish can swim freely.

It is better to use as a substrate for an aquarium sand or soft gravel. It is necessary to place larger smooth stones on the bottom of the aquarium, on which catfish sometimes like to sit. It is also very important to create devices at the bottom in which fish can hide. For this purpose, small wooden snags with cavities inside are suitable, which catfish will willingly use as a shelter. Catfish will also periodically chew these pieces of wood, and thus maintain the oral cavity in normal condition.

Catfish feeding does not present any difficulties for the owner. These fish omnivorous. As already noted, they can eat leftover food from other fish and algae. Most catfish are active at night, so it is recommended to feed them immediately after sunset. Feeding in the evening will help prevent other fish in the aquarium from stealing food.

Despite their endurance, catfish can sometimes suffer from various diseases. Carefully monitor the condition of your fish.

Next symptoms may indicate the development of any diseases:

1. Decreased appetite.
2. Fins pressed to the sides.
3. Bloating in the abdominal area.
4. Inflamed or pale skin.

If you notice these signs, consult your veterinarian.

As you can see, the rules for caring for catfish are quite simple. With a competent approach to maintenance, these aquarium fish will become your silent companions for a long time and an excellent decoration for your home underwater kingdom. All that remains is to navigate the huge variety of catfish in order to choose the most suitable species for you.

Popular varieties of catfish for keeping in an aquarium

Corydoras

Fish belonging to the genus Corydoras are perhaps the most popular. The genus Corydoras includes many species from very tiny to very large. Amazes variety of colors these fish. There are golden, lilac, beige, and spotted color options.

Corydoras are extremely social creatures, so It is recommended to keep them in groups of at least five individuals. Otherwise, they will suffer from loneliness and stress. The fish spend a lot of time in motion, swimming in the bottom thickets; it is always interesting and pleasant to watch them.

These fish require soft aquarium water with moderate acidity. It is better to use small round pebbles as a substrate, which will prevent damage to the antennae while the fish are exploring the aquarium bottom.

Popular types of aquarium catfish of the genus Corydoras:

The listed fish can be seen in the photo below.

Otocinclus

The genus Otocinclus includes many species. Best suited for keeping in an aquarium otocinclus affinis(otocinclus affinis). These are the fish that sellers at a pet store will most likely offer you.

This one of the smallest catfish ranging in size from two to three centimeters. The fish look like this: light gray back, white belly, pronounced black stripes on the sides along the body. Otocinclus fish are very lively and agile, so you can often watch them quickly scurry through the algae thickets.

Keeping fish of the genus Otocinclus is considered relatively easy, but there are some features that you need to pay attention to. These fish are very sensitive to water quality and temperature changes. You need to ensure that the water is always fresh and contains enough oxygen. The water temperature must be maintained in the range from 22 to 25 degrees. A sudden change in water temperature or acidity poses serious stress to these fish and can even lead to their death. For fish, a calm environment in an aquarium without fast water currents is preferable. An abundance of underwater plants is also required for comfortable living.

All fish of the genus Otocinclus mostly eat algae, including dry ones. You can try adding finely chopped green vegetables, for example, zucchini. Observe for a few days to see if they like the food. If the fish do not show interest in vegetables, be sure to remove pieces of vegetables from the aquarium, otherwise they will begin to rot, which can spoil the water.

Like most catfish, representatives of this species prefer to live in groups consisting of at least three individuals. The best keeping option would still be a group of more fish. It is important to choose your aquarium neighbors wisely. These must be small, peaceful fish that require similar conditions in the aquarium. Catfish of the genus Corydoras, already familiar to you, will be excellent companions.

In the presented photos you can see aquarium catfish of the species Otocinclus affinis.

Glass catfish

This is probably the most amazing representative of catfish. This creature comes from borneo islands unusual in that you can see through its skin, bones and innards. Actually, that’s why the catfish got the name “glass”.

Glass catfish are small fish ranging from 4 to 10 centimeters in length. The surface of the fish's body is scaleless, transparent and slightly pearlescent. Characteristic feature are two antennae above the top of the mouth.

The name of this species of catfish reflects not only their amazing appearance, but also extreme fragility of health. Sometimes catfish die during delivery from the pet store to the buyer's home. Therefore, it is necessary to comply with all content requirements with utmost care. Catfish require soft, neutral or slightly acidic water with a temperature of 21 to 26 degrees. For glass catfish live food preferred. In some cases, they can be trained to eat special foods, but even then, food such as shrimp, insects, or insect larvae must be added.

Glass catfish very friendly in relation to other fish species. In this case, there should be at least two glass catfish in the aquarium, and preferably more. The fact is that these fish are practically doomed without a companion of their species. Therefore, if suddenly one of your two glass fish dies, immediately go to the pet store and buy a new one, otherwise the fish left alone will most likely also face a sad fate.

Make sure that the aquarium has a lot of plants and nooks where the fish can hide. They vitally need dense thickets and accessible shelters in order to feel safe.

In the photo below you can see what a glass catfish looks like.

Synodontis-nigrivenrtis

To the surprise of novice aquarists, the behavior of this fish literally corresponds to its name. She swims in an inverted position with its belly up. The fish are characterized by a speckled color beige tones, two antennae near the mouth and a tail fin shaped like a fork.

The conditions of detention are quite simple. Optimal temperature water: 22-28 degrees. The diet should include equal amounts of live and dry food. It is advisable that at least 4 catfish of this species be present in the aquarium at the same time. The aquarium should be spacious enough, have plenty of hiding places, and have algae with wide leaves. The properties of the substrate are not particularly important.

Synodontis changeling - one of the calmest and most peaceful representatives of catfish and can coexist with any fish of comparable size and maintenance requirements. The ideal neighbors of another species would be corydoras catfish, which, if you remember from the description, can get along with almost all fish.

The photo shows species of catfish belonging to the genus “Synodotis the Changeling”.

Aquarium catfish Synodontis changeling: photo

The catfish family is an extensive group of aquarium catfish from the order Catfish, numbering one and a half hundred genera and about one thousand two hundred species, including selection ones. These interesting creatures- one of the oldest representatives of freshwater fauna. The feature that sets them apart from their relatives is not only their unusual body shape; many of them lack scales or the skin is protected by bone plates. Live in lower layers. They get along well with their neighbors and are easy to maintain. They have original behavioral forms, which is interesting to observe. Here are the most known species aquarium catfish among aquarium enthusiasts:

• corridors
• synodontis
• chainmail (loricaria)
• clariaceae
• armored

Behavior and nutrition

Catfish lead a bottom-dwelling lifestyle. They carefully examine the surface of the soil for the presence of food. These fish, in a sense, are “orderlies”, picking up leftover food from the bottom. Despite this, an aquarium with these original creatures needs high degree cleaning. Most of them dig in the ground, raising clouds of suspended matter from the silt. That is why their maintenance requires a good filtration installation, which will allow them to preserve clean water in aquarium. Aquarium catfish cleaners are mostly evening or night look life. So, in bright light you will not see them often. They feed on all food that has fallen to the bottom, without exception.

Species compatibility

Aquarium catfish fish get along well with all species. They do not experience aggression towards their relatives. Depending on the species, the optimal temperature range is from 18°C ​​to 26°C. Despite their peaceful nature, it is impossible to keep large catfish with very small inhabitants. Fish that are noticeably different in size will be perceived as live food. Based on this, neighbors of similar sizes should be selected. Their average lifespan is from five to ten years. Below are aquarium catfish belonging to different breeds with photos and names.

Arrangement of the aquarium

Catfish feel comfortable when the aquarium is replete with bottom shelters made of stones, snags, dense plants, caves, etc. Only in the absence of shelters can tension arise between their own kind. When everyone has their own small shelter, the territory will be divided and the sign of conflict will decrease. The soil should be chosen without sharp corners so that the fish do not get injured, given their tendency to dig into it. Aquarium catfish require little, average care for different breeds: acidity – neutral or close to it, hardness from 6dH to 12dH. Catfish come in predominantly dark colors with patterns: spotted, marbled, striped. The color is dominated by light brown, dark brown, beige, there are black, light orange (albinos) and even transparent ones.

Breeding at home

If you keep only individuals of this species, then there is no need for a separate spawning area. In aquarium catfish, reproduction goes well, but some species require hormonal injections. Several factors stimulate spawning: large water changes, aeration and smooth temperature fluctuations over several days. This is done in order to simulate the rainy season. Special conditions not required for breeding. They plant a female and a couple of males, up to three or four. The optimal temperature is from 18°C ​​to 21°C. Spawning often occurs early in the morning. Females lay eggs on plants. The fry are large and grow very quickly. You can start feeding with brine shrimp and chopped tubifex, bloodworms.

List of aquarium catfish species

Corridors

They usually grow to 7–8 cm. They are not picky when it comes to food; they pick up all the food that has fallen to the bottom. They have a peaceful character, get along even with small neons, and need shelter. They can do without aeration and filtration, but the latter must be installed for reasons of maintaining cleanliness. Preferred temperature is 20°C to 25°C. Acidity at 6 pH – 6.5 pH, optimal hardness from 5 dH to 19 dH. For spawning, you need a separate tank with a displacement of at least fifty liters. The corridors are the most different colors. More details about the types here.

Synodontis

Unusual representatives of the catfish order clearly stand out among their relatives. Their peculiarity is that they often swim with their belly up, and turn over only when feeding, when they pick up food from the bottom. They have a peaceful disposition and are fully compatible with all species. But when they reach large sizes, they can perceive small fish as food. They are not picky about food, they eat any food found at the bottom. The main part of the menu should be live food (at least 75%). Synodontis feel normal in an aquarium of 65 liters or more with an average temperature of 23°C to 25°C. Breeding at home is very difficult. The starting food for fry is live dust. Growth and development is extremely slow.

Loricariaceae

The most friendly and compatible with others are loricariids. Their peacefulness is so great that they can even be kept with fry. Their peculiarity is their oral apparatus, which is shaped like a suction cup, with which they scrape off growths from various surfaces. The basis of the diet should be food of plant origin. Feeding with dry food is possible. The average temperature for loricariids is 23°C to 25°C. Loricariids come in mostly dark colors (light brown, dark brown, beige, gray), but there are also albinos with a light color. Very sensitive to ammonia, nitrates, nitrites (they should not be in the water at all).

If you decide to buy an aquarium, then the first fish you should buy is a catfish. They are very good orderlies who clean the bottom of mucus. There are a large number of species of aquarium catfish, the size of which can range from a few centimeters to a couple of meters.

The structure of their body is quite unusual, which makes catfish a favorite of many aquarists. In order to introduce catfish into your aquarium, you must know what kind of care they require, the peculiarities of their maintenance and compatibility with other fish.

All representatives of catfish prefer a nocturnal lifestyle, which is reflected in their appearance. They are generally not very brightly colored. brown, beige or gray shades, which are closest to the color of the bottom.

There are, of course, exceptions that have brighter color, for example, yellow or silver-gray.

Soma have no scales, like most other fish, their body is covered with a thick layer of skin or bony plates. The fins located on the side and back have spines, and the mouth has several pairs of whiskers.

Placement and arrangement of the aquarium

It is best if the aquarium with catfish is placed in the quietest room, since loud sounds can negatively affect their well-being. The chosen place should not be too bright, because as lovers of nightlife, twilight is more suitable for catfish. The back wall of the aquarium should be decorated or turned towards the wall.

As you know, catfish spend most of their time at the bottom, so it is advisable that the area was as large as possible, and the height of the aquarium does not matter. Round containers are absolutely not suitable for this type, since it will not be possible to install the necessary equipment.

The volume of the aquarium must be selected taking into account the size of the adult fish, or, conversely, if an aquarium already exists, then the fish must be selected for it. The best option for keeping aquarium catfish container volume 200 liters, if it is not possible to install an aquarium of this size, but you really want catfish, then take a minimum of 50 liters.

Before you buy the fish you like, check to what size it grows, because some species in an artificial environment can reach 50 cm. Place the aquarium so that it has convenient to clean up and change water. It is better to place all equipment on the outside, since aquarium catfish can move very heavy objects.

You should choose a water filter taking into account the type of catfish. Some of them require a fairly strong current, so the filter power must be high. This is also necessary because catfish love to rummage in the ground, raising dirt, and if the cleaning device is weak, the water will quickly become cloudy. Do not forget about aeration, since the water needs to be enriched with oxygen.

If your room is not too warm, then you need to install a water heater, because many species of catfish come from warm countries. A good option There will be a thermometer that is attached to the outside of the aquarium in which case the fish will not be able to move it from its place.

The lighting should be dim; catfish do not like sudden light switching on. A good option in this case would be a lamp that can imitate the natural cycle of the day. Such a device can be purchased at a specialized store.

Aquarium decoration

When setting up an aquarium, do not forget that catfish need shelter; this can be driftwood, stones, plants or decorative decorations.

Feeding aquarium catfish

Many novice aquarists keep catfish only so that they pick up debris from the bottom, clearing it of contaminants. Such an attitude towards these fish can end very badly, since catfish require specific nutrition.

Depending on the type of catfish, the diet will vary. After all, not all catfish are predators; some can also feed on plant foods.

From food of animal origin in pet stores you can find:

• bloodworm;
• tubifex;
• gammarus;
• coretra;
• Cyclops;

This food can be sold frozen or dry. It also happens live food, but before feeding it must be thoroughly washed and disinfected so that the fish do not catch the infection.

Catfish can also be fed with products purchased at regular stores. grocery store, suitable for this:

• Boiled eggs.
• Pieces of meat or fish.
• Squid.
• Peeled shrimp.
• Beef heart.

Meat and fish should be chosen of low-fat varieties, and divided into pieces so that it is convenient for the fish to swallow them. If you have large catfish in your aquarium, you can give small live fish, the main thing is that they enter their mouth.

Since aquarium catfish prefer a nocturnal lifestyle, they need to be fed accordingly. In the evening you need to do this just before turning off the lights, and in the morning before turning them on. Catfish have enough developed intelligence and therefore, over time, they remember the person who feeds them, and therefore they can even be taught to eat from the hand.

It is best to select a type of food that will sink to the bottom, because many catfish do not go upstairs for food. If you do not have the opportunity to feed the fish on a schedule, then an automatic feeder will help, which will do this work for you.

Each type of catfish requires certain conditions of detention. For the most part, they do not require any complex care. Water hardness can range from 6 to 12, and average temperature shouldn't be above 26 degrees.

The best acidity is neutral, but some deviations are possible that will not cause much harm to the fish.

All listed conditions of detention are approximate, it all depends on the type of aquarium catfish. For spawning, a separate aquarium is used, in which a female and several males will be placed. It is desirable that its volume be at least 30 liters. In this case, soil does not fit on the bottom; it is better to take a plant (for example, anubias) and press its roots with a stone.

The spawning area must have certain conditions, the water temperature within 19–21 degrees, dH no more than 15, pH 6–7. There must be good aeration so that the aquarium is saturated with oxygen.

For reproduction, you need to choose young individuals so that the offspring are stronger. It is advisable to pre-feed the fish with bloodworms; it has a good effect on milk and caviar.

For spawning itself you need select 1 female and 3–4 males. Catfish prefer to lay eggs in cooler water, so you can lower the temperature to 18 degrees. The lighting should be dim enough; you can cover the aquarium with a cloth.

The entire spawning lasts up to 4 hours, during which time the female lays up to several hundred transparent eggs. As soon as the spawning process is completed, the female and males need to be placed in another aquarium and the temperature raised to 27–28 degrees.

As soon as the fry begin to hatch, you can lower the temperature to 20 degrees. Babies need to be fed 4 times a day, live food. After just a month of proper care, they will grow up to 1 centimeter.

Compatibility of catfish with other fish

You need to choose roommates for catfish taking into account their taste preferences and sizes. If the catfish is a predator, then do not add smaller peace-loving fish to them, they will instantly eat them.

If catfish do not show aggression, then they can live in peace with others more small fish , the main thing is that they do not enter their mouth, then there will be no problems.

If you take a catfish into an existing aquarium, then you don’t have to worry about it, their body is covered with a bony shell or just a thick layer of skin, so eating them is not so easy.

Aquarium catfish are amazing representatives under water world. It is very interesting to watch them, especially during the period of their activity. Their variety of species will not leave any aquarist indifferent.

All types of aquarium catfish, of which there are a huge number in nature, are surprisingly similar in appearance. More than 1,200 thousand different waterfowl variations of this species live in aquariums alone. Otherwise, these fish are called cleaners, because they eat the remains of half-eaten, rotting food lying on the bottom. And many amateurs purchase such “orderlies” precisely because of their accuracy. You can buy such interesting specimens at any pet store.

When buying a catfish, you should keep in mind that you will not constantly admire its cute face. Many of them are nocturnal and during the day they hide behind snags and in other shelters. The only exception is. Also, catfish generally have a protective coloring and completely blend in with the surrounding soil.

Many fish in this group grow to very large sizes and are predators. Therefore, aquarists sometimes miss the small inhabitants of the aquarium: or.

Catfish are egg-laying fish and reproduce quite easily.

Ancistrus

Stellate Ancistrus
photo can be enlarged

They are one of the most common types of chain mail. People call them stickers. Catfish can live in any aquarium, as long as it is clean fresh water, and there were well-groomed plants growing. For their safety, fish look for secluded places, for example, various driftwood, ceramic pipes. They are especially active in the evenings or when the water temperature drops significantly.

The aquarium should be filled with settled and acidified water at a temperature of 20-25°C. For good growth and reproduction of algae, bright lighting is provided to the reservoir. For catfish, such light is an irritant, so they hide in recesses of the sandy bottom, in snags and decorative decorations.

Nature has endowed ancistrus with strong fins, but deprived it of a swim bladder. For this reason, aquarium sticky catfish cannot for a long time stay in the water like other fish. They move spasmodically, right along the glass of a home pond. With good care, shellfish live 6-7 years.

Ancistrus catfish look like small flattened torpedoes with chain mail war paint, onto which geometrically shaped bone plates are glued on top. The aquarium fins are decorated with 7 luxurious fins: two pectoral, a pair of abdominal, a large dorsal, anal and adipose. On the elongated lips of the round mouth there are large horn-like suckers, with the help of which the fish stick to snags and feed on green algae. Small eyes gleam on their impressively sized heads.

Speckled catfish

Photo can be enlarged

Or the common catfish is one of the oldest inhabitants of freshwater aquariums, into which it came at the end of the nineteenth century. Natural environment Habitats for speckled catfish are shallow standing reservoirs of South America.

These are relatively small fish, females (about 8 cm) are slightly larger than males (4-6 cm), their body is short, dense and stocky. The shape of the body is completely adapted for the bottom lifestyle - the back is strongly arched, but the abdomen, on the contrary, is almost flat (see photo of a speckled catfish). The entire body of the catfish is covered with bony plates and resembles a shell. The dorsal fin is high and straight, slightly rounded in females. The body color is brownish-gray with yellow on top, with a slight metallic sheen, and the catfish’s abdomen is yellow-pink.

An albino form of the speckled catfish has been bred - it is pale pink in color with red eyes, like all albinos. Easily crosses with the regular form. The lifespan of speckled catfish is approximately six to eight years.

The optimal conditions for keeping speckled catfish are as follows: temperature - 20-25 ° C, pH - 6.0-7.5, water hardness up to 20 °. Catfish do not like water temperatures that are too high. You need to install a good filter in the aquarium, and change about 30% of the water to fresh water every week. Catfish love to live in a flock, so it is better to have several pairs at once, this will make them much more comfortable. It’s better to choose something small and not sharp, because this fish loves to dig for it. In addition, the soil layer must be of decent thickness.

Speckled catfish also like to lie in the shade of plants, so don't forget about that. , or are perfect for these creatures. It’s also a good idea to decorate your aquarium with driftwood and stones - this will improve the design of your small aquatic world and the inhabitants will be more comfortable. It should also be added that the speckled catfish is a rather clumsy fish and therefore there should be no places in the aquarium where the fish can get stuck.

Breeding speckled catfish is also not very difficult and is accessible even to novice aquarists. Perhaps beginners should even try their hand at these fish, because there is nothing difficult about it. An aquarium of ten liters or more is suitable for spawning. Spawning of speckled catfish begins when several conditions are met, namely: a decrease in water temperature, increased aeration and regular water changes. The soil in the spawning area is not necessary; it is enough to press down any plant with a medium-sized stone. Usually one female and two or three males are released for spawning. Producers are placed in the aquarium in the evening, spawning itself occurs in the morning. It is advisable to place the aquarium so that the rays of the sun fall on it, then reproduction will occur with the sunrise.

The fry are quite large, feeding them is not difficult, and they are as unpretentious as adults. Any food for fry or finely ground food for adult fish will do. With normal nutrition and housing conditions, by a month the fry reach a centimeter length.

Striped platidoras

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Striped platidoras- a species of catfish of the armored family. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Lives in the Amazon, Tocantins, Parnaiba, Orinoco and Essequibo river basins in French Guiana and Suriname.

In nature, the size of these catfish can reach 24 cm, and their age, according to some sources, is up to 20 years. In an aquarium it grows up to 15-18 cm and reaches an age of 12-15 years.

The abdomen is rounded. Males are generally smaller but slimmer than females. The pectoral fins of the fish are very developed. The front ray of the catfish is covered with small spines and ends with a sharp hook. There are three pairs of antennae. Two pairs are located on lower jaw: two central ones 2-3 cm long and two outer ones 4-5 cm long. The upper jaw has one pair of antennae up to 7-8 cm long. The body is covered with longitudinal yellow and brown lines. Young individuals tend to be brighter in color than older ones.

The first year of life of catfish can be observed throughout the day. There are cases when the platidor floats to the surface, turns over with its belly up and thus collects food from the water surface. But with age, fish begin to lead a more secretive nocturnal lifestyle, becoming more active only late in the evening. If there is a lack of food, they eat smaller fish.

It is better to catch catfish using a jar or vessel, as they can very easily become entangled in the net due to the rather sharp rays of the fins. When fishing, you should be careful, as the sting from their spines is painful.

They are omnivores, so they are not picky about food. In nature, they feed on mollusks, crustaceans, and various aquatic insects. For aquarium catfish, food should contain a lot of protein. About 20-30% of the diet should be plant foods. Earthworms are suitable as food. Since these fish feed from the bottom, you should give them sinking granules or tablets.

Sexual maturity and the ability to reproduce occurs at the age of one year. The spawning tank must have a volume of 100 liters or more. Aeration, filtration and creation of water flow are required. Water for dilution: GH up to 6°; pH 6.5-7.0; t 27-29 °C. Carbonate hardness is minimal. As a rule, the spawning process is activated by the injection of gonadotropic hormones. Catfish can build a small nest (3 to 10 cm in diameter) from pieces of plants. After this, they lay eggs and attach them to the substrate. You can use synthetic threads and small-leaved aquatic plants.

The female lays up to 300 eggs. After spawning, the catfish are removed. The eggs develop within 2.5-3 days. Juveniles begin to swim at 5-6 days. Fry should be fed with live dust and microworms.

Tarakatum

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Catfish Tarakatum is an excellent choice for those who prefer to keep an aquarium with large unusual fish at home. Despite their size, these pets are very unpretentious, have a reputation as kind and peaceful neighbors, and watching catfish swarm in the aquarium is a pleasure.

At home, the Tarakatum catfish grows to a decent size - 14-16 centimeters, and combined with restlessness, this produces a very funny impression. Many breeders kindly compare these cute catfish with cockroaches because of their similar name. Their resemblance to insects is also given by their long, spectacular antennae, restless nature and ability to survive in any “aquarium” conditions.

The aquarium catfish has a large elongated body, covered with strong bone plates, a high back and a straight abdomen. The main feature of these fish is the movable antennae on the wide head: long on the upper jaw and shorter on the lower jaw. Males, as is usually the case with fish, are slimmer and smaller; you can recognize them by their long ray pectoral fin, usually reddish in color.

The wide distribution area also provided a noticeable difference in the color of the fish. If you want to know what a cockroach looks like, the photos will show cute hulks with the same long antennae, but completely different color. Most often you can find a dark, almost black color, with light streaks throughout the body. There are spotted and striped “aquarium cockroaches”, also known as “tiger” and “leopard”. Such catfish are light gray, greenish or pink color body, over which darker spots are scattered.

Aquarium fish Tarakatum are ideal for inexperienced owners: they are friendly, unpretentious and quickly get used to new conditions. The main and basic requirement for your mustachioed aquatic pets is a large aquarium, at least 100 liters (or more). The soil is better sandy or small rocky - playful catfish love to rummage in the ground for a long time, and sharp stones can injure their antennae or head.

Tarakatums prefer to frolic at night, but quickly get used to it and can be active at any time of the day. These are sociable animals, so it’s worth keeping a small flock of catfish at home to constantly admire their games. A particularly beautiful sight is aquarium cockroaches on vacation - large fish naturally lay side by side on the bottom and resemble a group fur seals on a rest. However, such calm is only a temporary phenomenon, so do not forget to close the aquarium with a lid - not only can a naughty cockroach jump out of the water, all surfaces near the vessel will be splashed.

IN wildlife In Tarakatum fish, reproduction occurs as follows: catfish choose a flat leaf of a plant that floats on the surface, and the male builds a foamy nest under it, where the female lays eggs. IN home aquarium such a sheet successfully replaces a piece of polystyrene foam 15 by 7 centimeters and about 2 centimeters thick, which is attached to the corner with suction cups. If you have 3-4 pairs of cockroaches or one male for several females, there should be 1-2 more pieces of foam than required - this will help to avoid a fight for space.

Breeding cockroaches begins with preparing the aquarium - the temperature is slightly increased, and the water is changed more often. After the female lays eggs, the male and the foam nest are placed in the spawning area (if the female is not removed, the male cockroach himself will begin to drive her away from the eggs). After 4-5 days, the fry appear; you can feed them with brine shrimp, small tubifex, and it is better to keep them in low light.

Catfish panda

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Panda catfish are peaceful, schooling fish that live in the Paquitea, Rio Paciteo, and Ucayali rivers, which flow in South America. IN aquarium conditions these catfish can live with any non-aggressive fish, even those larger in size. The neighbors in the pond do not seem to notice the pandas, and they, in turn, also do not show any interest in them. That is why teenage pandas can be placed in a community aquarium as early as 2 months of age.

Corydoras pandas have additional intestinal respiration, which is why they sometimes swim to the surface of the water and swallow air, after which they calmly swim to the bottom again. It is at the bottom that pandas spend most of their time.

It should be noted that these catfish are not “orderlies” of the aquarium; they do not eat leftover food from other fish. Panda catfish eat live, frozen food, flakes, and catfish tablets. Food is taken mainly from the bottom. Breeders of these catfish believe that if the juveniles of these fish are not given live food, namely well-washed tubifex, then the catfish turn out to be tight and small. By the way, the length of an adult healthy panda catfish should be about 5-5.5 cm.

The optimal water temperature for keeping these catfish is 22-26℃; pH 5.8-7.5; hardness 5-16°. Filtration, aeration and weekly water changes are required.

Panda corydoras reach sexual maturity at 10 months. The females of these catfish are larger than the males, their dorsal rounded, and the abdominal line has an arched profile. In males, the abdominal line is straight, the dorsal fin has a pointed shape.

Glass catfish

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The glass catfish gets its name from its transparent body. You can see through the skeleton of the fish the background aquarium The body is elongated and laterally compressed. Both the skeleton and swim bladder are clearly visible. Rest internal organs located in the front of the body and are not visible. Depending on the light, the body may acquire blue tints. Like all catfish, the fish has a pair of antennae on its upper jaw.

Glass catfish is a small fish and in an aquarium reaches up to 10 cm in length, so it can be content with a relatively small volume of water. For a school of fish of six individuals, an aquarium of about 80 liters is suitable. Keeping a smaller number of fish is not recommended, as the fish become shy and lose their appetite due to stress.

An aquarium for glass catfish must be planted with a large number of live plants. Catfish swim in the middle layers of water, and unlike other relatives, they do not hide in shelters. Fish love shaded areas, so it is advisable to place floating plants in the aquarium. Lighting should be dim as bright light can cause unnecessary stress for the fish.

As for water parameters, glass catfish are very sensitive to water purity, so you need to take care of good filtration in the aquarium. Aeration is also desirable. The optimal water parameters are: acidity 6.5-7.5 pH, hardness 4-15° dH, temperature 23-26ºC. It is better to change water weekly, approximately 20-30% of the total volume.

For feeding, you can use live food and some high-quality dry food. The diet should be varied. These aquarium catfish have a peaceful character, so you can choose calm small fish for company.

To breed glass catfish at home, first lower the water temperature by several degrees and the water level in the aquarium to half. After this, soft water is added every day in small portions. To stimulate spawning, fish are fed large amounts of live food before spawning. After spawning, the producers are removed from the aquarium. If it was possible to stimulate spawning, the female will spawn eggs on the plants. Imitating the rainy season will also help the eggs develop. The starting food for fry is encapsulated brine shrimp.

Catfish changeling

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The shifter catfish belongs to the fringed catfish. It has a characteristic body, almost triangular in cross-section, a semicircular mouth and powerful spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins. It has three pairs of antennae, two of which are feathery, as if fringed.

In nature, this catfish feeds mainly on insects (that have fallen on the surface of the water), but has a lower mouth, so it often has to swim upside down to collect food from the surface of the water. Hence the name - catfish changeling.

In an aquarium, it is better to feed the changeling live, and only sometimes with dry balanced food. Catfish will collect food from both the surface and the bottom. In summer you can feed various small insects. Fish are prone to obesity; leave them without food one day a week.

During the day, the catfish mainly hides among snags, in various caves; at night it begins to become active, looking for food. Large aquariums with various shelters, snags, grottoes, and plants are suitable for keeping catfish shifters. Water temperature +22-+27 ºС. Aeration, filtration and water changes of 1/3 volume weekly are required.

Synodontis changeling is a schooling fish, this must be taken into account. But the most important thing that needs to be taken into account when purchasing these fish is that many of them (or rather, the majority) are active predators and they will not swim peacefully next to their small neighbors, they will certainly devour them. It is better to keep them with cichlids or similar large fish.

Sacbranch catfish

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Under natural conditions, this catfish is widespread in Asian countries - Iran and Pakistan, India and Nepal, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Catfish prefers large and small reservoirs with stagnant water, muddy channels with weak currents, and is occasionally found in brackish water.

If an ordinary river catfish has a flat body, compressed at the top, then Heteropneustes fossilis is a bit like an eel. Its body is compressed laterally, and only its muzzle is flat, equipped with four pairs of long, stiff whiskers. He swims like an eel, wriggling his whole body. The color of the fish is unremarkable: dark brown or gray, but there are also albino catfish with off-white skin color.

This catfish is pretty big fish, during the life processes of which quite a lot of waste is generated. Accordingly, good filtration and medium intensity aeration are necessary. Water changes should be done 1-2 times a week (10-15% of the total volume).

Feature home care is the fact that the catfish acquires body length in accordance with the size of the aquarium. For example, in a 200-liter jar it can grow up to 35-40 cm. In a small volume, the length of the fish will be shorter. You need to create shelters in the aquarium - grottoes and caves, driftwood, fragments of ceramic pipes or inverted clay pots with a side hole. But the bottom of the artificial reservoir should not be cluttered - at night, when the owners are sleeping, the catfish actively swims and hunts.

The predator is unpretentious in food. It can be fed frozen dry food, worms, meat, fish fillets, and shrimp. Commercial feeds include Neon BloodWorms, Sera Viformo, Tetra PlekoMin, Tetra TabiMin and some others. Under optimal conditions, catfish can live in an aquarium for up to 20 years.

Asian catfish become sexually mature at the age of 2 years. Under natural conditions they spawn during rainy periods. In artificial home reservoirs, spawning is induced by injection of a special drug - gonadotropin.

Shark catfish

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In nature, the shark catfish is quite impressive in size: it reaches a length of more than 1 meter, and in aquariums it grows up to 50-70 cm. If you watch a video with a shark catfish, you will see how similar this fish really is to a real large predator.

The homeland of this fish is the lakes and rivers of Vietnam. Initially, aquarists were not interested in it, but Food Industry Shark catfish Siamese pangasius played a big role, and not by chance - the fact is that the catfish is capable of gaining up to 40 kg in a short period of time. However, later aquarists paid close attention to the beauty and unusualness of this fish.

When these aquarium fish are still young, their body is colored silver-gray and has discreet dark longitudinal stripes. Over time, the color of the fish becomes monochromatic. Two pairs of long whiskers still make it possible to distinguish this fish from a small shark, big eyes located on the sides of the head. Females are slightly larger than males, and their color is paler.

Shark catfish are not only large, they are also very active fish, and mainly like to be in the middle layers of water. Therefore, the optimal tanks for them are aquariums of at least 400 liters, elongated in length. The aquarium should have a lot of space, free from decorations, provided for the free swimming of its inhabitants. Adult fish can only be kept in huge public aquariums with a volume of several thousand liters. While catfish are still young, they can live in aquariums as long as 1.2 m, but keep in mind that freshwater sharks grow very quickly, so they will soon need new house. All decorations with sharp edges must be removed from the aquarium, since this species tends to make sudden lunges, as a result of which the freshwater shark can damage the skin.

It is worth saying that freshwater sharks eat quite a lot. However, they only grab the food that is in the water column next to them. Therefore, in order to maintain cleanliness in the aquarium, it is advisable to have fish that will pick up food particles from the bottom - then there will be much less pollution in the aqua. Feed freshwater sharks should be in the evening. It happens that they refuse to eat if there is too much light in the room - in this case, the lighting should be reduced.

The optimal water parameters for keeping shark catfish are the following: temperature - 22-27 °C, hardness - dH 2-20, acidity - pH 6.5 - 7.5. It is necessary to change a third of the water volume every week. In addition, organize powerful filtration and aeration of the water, since in old water the fish will feel uncomfortable and may even get sick. It is especially worthwhile to ensure that the level of nitrites, ammonia and nitrates remains low, and other components of great importance don't play.