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Acara bluish-spotted for many years considered one of the most common cichlids among fans of aquarium fish in the countries of South America. Their name is translated from Latin as "beautiful." This breed is easily confused with another similar species - akars turquoise. However, they are quite different from each other. Turquoise akars are larger and grow up to about 30 cm under natural conditions, while bluish-spotted ones have a maximum length of up to 20 cm. Mature males of turquoise canals have a pronounced hump in the head area consisting of adipose tissue, bluish in males -Spotted cancer, it is less pronounced.
The bluish-spotted akaras are great for keeping owners in an aquarium,who prefer cichlids. They do not require complex care. It is only important to maintain the temperature and quality food. They perfectly care for their offspring, without creating additional problems for aquarists.
They are more tenacious than other cichlids, such as turquoise akars. Medium-sized and peace-loving fish can be kept in aquariums with the rest of the species and other large aquarium fish.
Fish of this breed perfectly exist in the same aquarium with their relatives, creating pairs between themselves. Most often, they are not inclined to pay special attention to other residents if they observe territorial boundaries. Conflicts can occur during spawning, which in bluish-speckled cancer occurs on average once every 14 days, if you spawn. Given that they multiply often enough, it is necessary to do it.
Origin
Appearance
Blue-spotted Akaras have an oval-shaped body that looks squat and meaty. Anal and dorsal fins have a pointed shape. Compared with other representatives of cichlids, they have an average size of about 20 cm in their natural environment. In an aquarium, they usually do not grow more than 15 cm. The life span of fish of this breed is up to 10 years. During puberty, their size is about 6 cm, and they start spawning when their body is about 10 cm in length.
The color of bluish-spotted crayfish reflects the name of the representatives of this breed of fish. The body has a grayish-blue color and is decorated with black stripes arranged in a vertical manner. Scales are colored with bluish nacre.
Content Features
Unpretentious fish are great for novice aquarists, unlike turquoise cancer. Since they do not reach such impressive sizes as other cichlids, they do not require such a large aquarium.They are unpretentious in nutrition and easily reproduce. The only important condition in the content is the purity and temperature of the water.
Nutrition
Representatives of this breed of fish are predators, so their diet should contain a sufficiently high amount of protein. Under natural conditions, they feed on worms, larvae, invertebrates. At home, they are fed Artemia, Koretroy, pipe workers and bloodworms. In their diet, you can include frozen food - Cyclops, Artemia, artificial flakes or feed in tablet form. Feeding is carried out twice a day, with different feed options.
Aquarium requirements
For two representatives of this type suitable aquariums, the size of more than 150 liters. For the arrangement of the bottom clean sand is used, preferably river, they like to rummage in it. At the same time, any vegetation of large and rigid species is planted in special pots. It is necessary to have a place in the aquarium where the fish can hide.
The bottom is desirable to lay out dry leaves of oak or beech. Their presence allows you to maximize the existence of cancer in the house to the natural conditions that are comfortable for them. In addition, the leaves are needed as a source of food for the fry.
Be sure to have in the aquarium high-quality external filters that create the movement of water. It is necessary to siphon the bottom and change the water to maintain cleanliness in the place of residence of the cancer. In general, they are quite unpretentious and have good adaptive abilities. The ideal water temperature is the mark from 22 to 26 degrees, the pH level of about 7.
How do they get along with the rest of the inhabitants?
Living with other members of the fish family is not problematic given the conditions that they have about the same dimensions. Bluish-spotted Akaras are not aggressive, but they are able to defend their territorial boundaries, especially when they spawn. They should not be kept together with shrimp and other invertebrates, which can be easy prey for them.
The most suitable neighbors for the bluish-mottled crayfish are somas: Platydoras, bag-tabernacles, antitcrus. Among the fish: tsikhlazomy, eight-band and scalar.
Gender Differences
Breeding rules
They are quite suitable for breeding in aquarium conditions. Caviar, they tend to lay on flat and smooth surfaces of glass or stones. They reach sexual maturity when their size is between 6 cm. A couple chooses for themselves. Often aquarists buy fry in the amount of several pieces, which then themselves form pairs between themselves.
For spawning, suitable water with a PH of about 7 and a temperature regime with marks of about 25 degrees. After the female postpones the eggs, the male is engaged in the protection of future offspring. They are considered good parents who very carefully grow their fry. Artemia nauplii and other large feeds are used to feed offspring.
Video: Akara is blue-spotted
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