Chromis-handsome - care and maintenance in the aquarium

This species belongs to the cichlid family, and because of its rare color, chromis has become very famous among the other subspecies of fish. It is also impossible to ignore the uneasy character and extraordinary and attractive appearance. All the aggressiveness of character is manifested in small fish. If Khromisa contains with cichlids like him, then he will not touch anyone. At the same time, the fish can be very aggressive during spawning, and this is explained by the fact that at this moment it protects its future offspring.

Fish of the genus Hemichromis, which have a red color, have been successfully bred by European aquarists for over 100 years.They have become very popular due to their beautiful bright color and simple content in the aquarium and breeding.

Habitat in nature

West Africa is a habitat habitat, rivers are considered to be a common location in nature. The victim for chromis are, as a rule, small and defenseless species of fish, as well as various types of insects.

general description

Fact! Hemichromis (the Latin name of the fish is Hemichromis lifalili) is called a handsome chromis, for such fish there is no black spot at the base of the tail fin.

On average, life expectancy is no more than 5 years, and this is not affected by the habitat.

Difficulties in growing in an aquarium

There are no particular difficulties in keeping this fish. But there is one "but." Because of her insanely beautiful color, it is often bought by newbies in this business and placed in the aquarium to her small fish, which Chromis simply eats as a result.Useful recommendations on this matter: before you start yourself Chromis-handsome, you should learn everything about him, and in no case do not share the small neighbors.

Nutrition

In food, this fish is absolutely unpretentious, eats everything, but, of course, it is better to feed it with live food. For example, such as:

• mussels;
• bloodworm;
• fish fillets;
• shrimp.

In addition, they can be fed with lettuce leaves, which are considered plant foods and additives to the main diet.

Important features of the content in the aquarium

For this kind of need a wide and deep aquarium, as the fish of rather big sizes and loves space. It is important for her to create certain conditions for favorable habitat in captivity - it must be places with shelters where she can safely spend her time and hide if necessary. As the basis of the bottom in the aquarium should be sand, they love to dig in it and raise their dregs. It is important that the clean water in the aquarium is constant - for this it should be periodically changed, and, of course, not to do in the content of chromis without using an external filter.

Useful recommendations: it is not necessary for the handsome Khromisam to plant the plants in the aquarium, as they do not like them, they begin to damage the base and tear off the leaves. It is possible to plant hard species of plants, like Anubis, in a tank, so that their Chromis-handsome cannot root out. Water is suitable for them absolutely any - both hard and soft water, they adapt. The preferred water temperature for a favorable content is from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius, and the pH level is from 6 to 7.8.

Compatible with other fish

This is such a difficult type of fish that it can get along only with large species that can stand up for themselves in front of Khromis – handsome. As a rule, these are species of other cichlids, such as turquoise akara and bluish-spotted akara, black-headed and bees - these species of fish calmly coexist with chromis. Such species as neons and guppies and the like are strictly forbidden to grow in the same aquarium. Otherwise, they just go to the food "handsome."

It is important to remember that absolutely all kinds of numerics do not get along well with the plants in the aquarium, as they do not like to be in a herbalist.It is also strictly forbidden to contain them with scalars, since the latter may be harmful to them, damage insanely beautiful fins.

Sexual characteristics and differences

In the subspecies of the predatory fish Chromis – Handsome, it is difficult to determine their sex differences (male from female); it is practically impossible for a beginner to do this. One of the main differences is that the female is smaller and has a more prominent belly.

How does reproduction occur in handsome chromis

Chromis are monogamous, because, choosing a partner, they intend to spawn only with him. But there is one problem - it is that it is very difficult to distinguish a male from a female. If the chosen partner has not approached, they become aggressive and invulnerable. At this moment it is interesting to watch them.

Initially, as soon as you hook the male into the aquarium to the female (or vice versa), it is important to observe their actions. If this is not done, then one of them may simply not survive, die, as they are able to score one another. In that case, if they approached each other, the male intensively begins to prepare for spawning, and changes its color to a brighter one.At this point, it is important to trace the reaction of the female, if it turns out that she is not ready for mating, the male can simply kill her.

After successfully crossing the partners, the Chromis female can lay more than 500 eggs at a time on a previously prepared smooth and clean surface. She can have her eggs anywhere, she does not have a certain place, the main thing is that it should be a flat and smooth place. Deferred eggs begin to change after two days, and in the meantime, parents carefully look after them and keep an eye on them. The female begins to hide them in another place, until the fry become more independent and can swim without parental help. This moment comes almost on the third day after the appearance of the larvae into the world. If they are not alone in the aquarium, then until the little ones get stronger, other fish will have a hard time, since the perimeter will be arranged for them by the Chromis female and male, which they absolutely cannot cross.

Nutrition for babies is nauplia and artemia meat, but the fry do not grow evenly and can eat each other. Kids do not for a minute remain without parental supervision and control,and this will continue until the fry grow to at least one centimeter - only then will the parents give them a free life and leave them.

For aquarists, breeding fish is a fascinating activity, because during sexual intercourse chromis change their color. Small fishes of this species, which have never copulated, have a modest and inconspicuous color, and it does not correspond at all to the name “handsome”.

"Handsome" to cross only at the age of half a year to a year ripen. The length of the body during this period should be about 10 sentiments.

Special attachment between babies and parents

Making the conclusion of this interesting and informative article, we can say that, after reading it, you can learn a lot of new and interesting things about the fish Chromises handsome. This type of fish is unique and beautiful in its own way. When deciding to breed this individual in my aquarium, it is only important to observe all the necessary requirements and take care of them.Also this type of predatory and dangerous fish attracts many lovers of the exotic with its incredibly beautiful and intriguing color. And, of course, one can only envy such a strong and friendly family like that of handsome Khromis. This type of fish deserves respect.

Video: aquarium fish Chromis-handsome