Neon iris - care and maintenance in an aquarium

Under the neon iris is a beautiful individual, located in size between the small and medium group. Otherwise, members of the family are called dwarfs, because they do not exceed 6 cm in length. But, everything in turn.

Description

1. The iris is called melanotenia, the fish was described for the first time by Verber in the distant 1922. However, to keep it in the aquarium conditions began only in the 1990s, when the representatives of the family gained popularity and became very popular.
2. Fish from New Guinea prefers to live in fast-flowing rivers and streams. Iridescent manifest themselves in full, being in clear water with a temperature regime of about 25 degrees. At the same time like an alkaline medium, which is within 6-7 units.
3. Small-sized individuals eat eggs, plants, fry, insects. Since this area of ​​habitat is studied very little, nothing threatens the iris of this species.
4. A neon iris is understood to be an ordinary representative of a family of sebaceous ones, which differs from its brethren only in size. It has already been mentioned that the fish grow to 5-6 cm, so they are called dwarf.
5. Despite its small size, fish live for about 4 years. But with proper conditions, their age can reach 5 years. The body is elongated, flattened from the side parts, the fin on the back is divided into 2 sections.
6. The main difference between the representatives of this species is that they have a fin with a certain shade. For example, in females they are yellowish, in males - red. It looks very nice, if we take into account the color of the case with blue tint. When the fish is under different lighting, it shimmers rosy.

Feeding

1. By their natural features, fish can eat equally both vegetable and animal food. When maintained in aquarium conditions, the representatives of this subspecies will gladly enjoy the purchased feeds.
2. Neons do not have the features of collecting food from the ground. Therefore, the choice of feed must be approached thoroughly.It is important that it does not sink, but float freely on the surface.
3. Naturally, rainbow beauties can not be overfed, they die from obesity. As a supplement, they give frozen food, such as a shaker, a moth, an artemia, etc. From vegetable it is necessary to treat fish with salad leaves, spirulina, cucumber and zucchini.

Content

1. There are no special difficulties in the content. But beginners need to gain experience and knowledge in order to have an idea about the requirements of the fish and their health. Fish love space and clean water, they are kept exclusively in flocks, so immediately acquire 10 or more individuals.
2. Fish are famous for their activity, agility and the ability to jump out of water. Take care that the aquarium is covered with a glass lid. Otherwise, you risk finding iris on the floor during the next look at the aquarium. It is necessary to choose a dwelling like this: 100 l are relied on 8 individuals. water.
3. Water should be fresh and crystal clear. Regarding the temperature regime, hold the indicators at around 25 degrees. At this temperature, the fish will quickly develop and strengthen.Particular attention is paid to the acid balance (7 units), hardness (6-14 units).
4. Fish in nature prefer to swim in fast flowing rivers. Therefore, it will be nice if you arrange in the aquarium underwater flow through a powerful filter. As the soil you need to choose dark sand. It is necessary to put snags in the aquarium, to plant various vegetation. Heaters are also installed if necessary.
5. In the wild, the individuals in question feed mainly on living and plant foods. As for artificial content, the fish will be happy to eat and ready store food. It is highly recommended to give granules that sink slowly.
6. The problem is that such fish do not collect food from the bottom. On the contrary, they will eat it gradually, while it remains afloat. In addition, neon melanotenias are great for living moths, pipemakers and Artemia. From vegetable food, you can give compositions with spirulina or scalded lettuce leaves, pieces of cucumber, zucchini.

Compatibility

1. Such fish get along well with peaceful individuals of small size.We should also take into account that neon melanotenias are schooling fish. This criterion is especially important to consider when the ratio of females to the male when breeding.
2. If you are going to contain such individuals exclusively for beauty, then it is recommended to acquire only males. They have a larger size and bright color. Therefore, the plant costs about 5 individuals of the same sex.
3. If you are going to start fish for breeding, each individual must have a pair. For example, get 10 neon melanotenias - 5 pairs. Breeders recommend it in a flock to contain exactly 10 individuals. It is best to have more females on the male. Otherwise, the fish may be subject to constant stress.
4. The presented iris irons are omnivorous fish, so they eat almost everything. Separately, it is worth mentioning that such individuals do not pick up food from the bottom. Therefore, consider this fact when feeding. Because of this feature, it is necessary to clean the soil much more often. Alternatively, you can get catfish.
5. These fish will be happy to clean the bottom of the aquarium. As for the other inhabitants, it is recommended to keep the iris with fast small fish. They get along well with the fiery, black and Sumatran barbus.You can also hook the thorn and mossy barb.

Breeding

1. During the mating season, the fish should be transplanted into a separate aquarium for spawning. It is necessary to install an internal filter in it. Also, be sure to place a large number of small-leaved plants on the bottom. As an alternative, a ball of synthetic thread is suitable.
2. Before spawning, fish should be carefully fattened with plant and live food. This procedure simulates the onset of seasonal rains that occur in the wild. It is during this period that fish have an enhanced diet. Therefore, you should take care of this before breeding.
3. As soon as the female is ready for throwing caviar, the couple is transplanted into a separate, specially prepared aquarium. Individuals mate, and the male fertilizes the eggs. After that, several days later fry begin to appear.
4. Do not allow too frequent spawning, the female will be severely depleted, so individuals should be separated for some time. In the first days of the appearance of fry, they need to be given special liquid food or infusoria.Then they will eat artemia or microworms.

The iris is suitable for content professional aquarists and amateurs. But the fish are whimsical to water, you need to comply with all the subtleties of the content and arrangement of the home. Since the iris is very bouncy, they are kept strictly in the aquarium with a lid.

Video: neon iris (melanotaenia praecox)