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Such a water inhabitant as the Fire Barbus is a very beautiful and bright fish of the barbus family. The peculiarities of this fish include its low requirements for conditions of detention. This aquarium dweller gets on well with its neighbors and is very interesting to watch. The fish is very nimble and active, which makes it one of the most popular species among beginner aquarists.
Although the barbs have a beautiful and eye-catching color, the latter is most spectacular during the spawning period. It was during this period that the color of the male barb becomes as bright as possible - the color of the body of the fish becomes bright red with characteristic golden tinges, resembling flames.Thanks to this original natural color, the fish got its name - the fiery barbus.
As mentioned, this beautiful aquarium fish is completely whimsical in its content, but is very active and able to surprise with its spectacular and extraordinary appearance. One of its features is that under natural conditions it can live in fairly cool water, the temperature indicators of which are about 18-22 ° C. Therefore, when choosing neighbors for a fire bar, you should always take this moment into account.
Natural habitat
The first mentions of such a species of fish as a barbus came to us thanks to the wildlife researcher Hamilton, who described this species in 1822. Their homeland is India, and it can also often be found in Singapore.
Note that the appearance of the barb may be slightly different, it all depends on its habitat. For example, the Indian and Bengali fiery barb has a more saturated color and bright, blinding glare scales.
Directly the habitat of the fiery fish - various natural reservoirs, both large and very modest in size. The main food of the barb is detritus, algae, small insects.
Description of the species
In the natural environment, this type of fish grows to a fairly large size (at least 15 cm), in conditions of life in an aquarium the size of a barb is rarely as high as 10 cm. The average lifespan of a fire barb is 5-6 years.
Coloring fish spectacular - silver-golden. Males have a characteristic difference - reddish belly, fins and sides. The peculiarity of this type of fish is the presence of a black dot near the tail fin.
Features and difficulties to consider when keeping a barbus
The fish presented to attention is the optimal solution for beginning aquarists. This is explained by the fact that this type of well tolerates even quite frequent relocation, they are unpretentious in care and nutrition. An important condition for their maintenance is cool water in the aquarium, as well as the selection of neighbors for these aquatic inhabitants, taking into account the required temperature indicators of water. It should also be borne in mind that, although the barbs are both benevolent and peaceful fishes, nevertheless, such a feature is often noticed behind them, such as the breaking of fins from other species.So pick your neighbors for a barb with small fin sizes.
Feeding features
The fiery barbus is not a demanding fish, and therefore it can eat all the feeds offered by its owner: artificial, live and frozen. In feeding, a variety is desirable that will help support activity and the immune system. For example, as a basic ration of fish, you can use special flakes with additional feeding with live food (Artemia, bloodworm, etc.).
Content in the home aquarium
This roar of the barbus family has a fairly large size, for swimming it selects all layers of the aquarium water in which it lives. It is best to keep the barabusov in small flocks, since it is in the company of its relatives that this species reveals all its characteristic features. Also markedly reduced aggression in relation to other species living in the neighborhood. The minimum number of fish that should be in the husk of barbs is 6-8 individuals. Accordingly, to do this, you need to choose a rectangular aquarium that is suitable in size - a volume of at least 80 liters.
Another important condition for the maintenance of fire barbs is the presence of a cap on the aquarium, this is necessary to prevent the death of the fish, which can jump out of the water.
In addition to the required temperature parameters of water, you should also take care of a small current, for this you can use a special filter. Water change should be carried out weekly.
The soil in the aquarium should be of medium softness, it is also necessary to have dense vegetation and kryag. The fish look especially impressive in sunlight, so the best place to place an aquarium will be a stand near the window.
Compatibility with other species
As mentioned above, the fiery barb is a rather mobile and active fish, which is very interesting to observe. As for its compatibility with other species - it gets on well with almost all of its neighbors. Note that when choosing neighbors for a barb, you should take into account the fact that such a fish should also be quite active and preferring cool water for life. For example, it can be somiki panda or cardinals.
Sex differences
Until the male comes to maturity, it is almost impossible to distinguish him from the female. Adults have more pronounced differences between them. This is manifested by a brighter and more spectacular coloring of the male. In females, the belly has more rounded shapes and sizes.
Breeding features
The process of reproduction of the fiery barb is quite simple and does not present much complexity. Therefore, even beginners can be engaged in breeding fish of this species.
For spawning, you should choose an aquarium or a container with a volume of at least 30 liters. Water in such an aquarium should have a temperature slightly higher than in the usual - up to 25 ° C.
The beginning of spawning is accompanied by the beginning of mating games between the female and the male, which at this time acquires the most intense color.During spawning, the female, as a rule, lays several hundred eggs, which the male is engaged in fertilization. We draw attention to the fact that immediately after spawning fish should be seated, they can begin to feed on deferred eggs.
After a day the larva appears, on the third day the fry. They feed small fish with small food - a microworm, infusoria. As they grow for larger foods, larger feeds are introduced - artemia, naupilia.
Video: aquarium fish fire barbus
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