Karasi, perches, roaches and ruffs are fish intended for existence in natural reservoirs. However, for some time now, man began to cultivate many fin species. A variety of fish species are bred in artificial lakes and ponds. Some domesticate so much that they become full members of the family along with dogs or cats. Such fish, in particular, are crucians in the aquarium.
Fish description
Oddly enough, but crucians are the direct progenitors of the goldfish, the heroine of most tales and legends. But river fish of the carp family are much larger than their direct descendants. The body shape of a crucian carp home in an aquarium is of two types. The fish has either an oblong or slightly rounded body, slightly flattened on the sides. Smooth large scales are reliable armor of crucian carp.
The color of the fish depends on the variety and can vary from silver to golden. A tall fin adorns the thick back of the fish. The weight of the crucian carp can reach more than five kilograms, and the length is more than 50-60 centimeters.
The head of the fish is small with small eyes and a mouth. The teeth of the fish are arranged in one row and are small and sharp. Spiky notches in the dorsal and anal fin - a distinctive feature that allows you to recognize crucian carp among other fishes.
How long does crucian live in an aquarium? More than twelve years. Depending on the type of fish, the duration of existence can range from 8 to 14 years.
Types of crucian carp
Like many representatives of the animal world, these fish come in several varieties:
- Silver crucian (Carassius auratus gibelio);
- Goldfish (Carassius carassius);
- Goldfish (Carassius auratus);
- Japanese crucian carp (Carassius cuvieri).
The natural habitat of the first two species is stagnant water bodies and rivers with a mild course. It is also possible to breed crucians in the aquarium.
Silver fish
The body color of this extraordinary fish is light gray with a metallic tint. The back is a little darker. The shape of the silver crucian is more oblong than that of its golden congener. Since young individuals are not inferior in size to adult fish, scales are a hallmark. In adult waterfowl, the cover is thicker and rougher. To keep crucians in the aquarium, it is recommended to purchase small fish.
The fish is the most undemanding in care. Even for spawning, she needs a water temperature of no higher than 14 degrees. These are very cold-loving creatures. For wintering, the temperature of the water in the tank should not exceed 8 degrees. In such an environment, pets hibernate and do not eat food.
Goldfish
Another name is ordinary. The natural habitat of golden crucian carp is rivers and reservoirs with a weak current. In an aquarium, a fish can grow up to 20 centimeters, although in natural conditions individuals found are 45-47 centimeters long.
The color of the goldfish scales has a reddish-brown tint. The body is more rounded than that of its relative, a silvery fish. The pet is quite unpretentious in leaving. Golden carp overwinter at the bottom of the tank, burying itself in silt. Contaminated water is not a problem for him, because he can easily survive in an environment that is poor in oxygen.
Golden crucian can be raised starting from three or four years of age.
Other species
In addition to traditional varieties, there is a heroine of folk tales - a goldfish. She is a direct descendant of goldfish. All representatives of this species (and there are about three hundred of them) are intended for living at home. All goldfish differ in size, which range from 2 to 45 centimeters. The next distinguishing feature between varieties of domesticated crucians is the color of the scales, which can be almost all colors of the rainbow. The length of the body, fins and tail will also help distinguish one subspecies of a pet from another. Notable are the eyes of the fish, which are different: from small to large and bulging.
In addition to the goldfish, the so-called Japanese crucian carp also lives in the waters of Japan and Taiwan. The size of the fish ranges from 35 to 40 centimeters. It practically does not lend itself to domestication and exists only in the wild.
How to equip a fish house
Before you start a crucian fish in an aquarium, you should consider the size of the pet. As a result, it is necessary to acquire a large capacity tank. In such a vessel it will be easier to create a living environment for a waterfowl. A crucian aquarium should not have a volume of less than one hundred liters. In such a pond, you can maintain all the conditions in which pets will feel safe and comfortable.
Necessary equipment
Perhaps the most basic item in a home fish tank is the filtration system. Although crucians are not afraid of troubled water, it is still advisable to install an external filter on the aquarium, which in tandem with the internal one will ideally fulfill its main function. An external installation makes it possible to get a large number of fish in the tank. The indoor unit removes the turbidity raised by the fish from the bottom of their home. The best option in caring for crucian carp in the aquarium is the installation of a fitofilter.
Another important device in a fish home is a compressor. The functions of this device are as follows:
- The compressor is designed to provide aeration of the aquarium. Air bubbles resulting from the operation of the device saturate the vessel with additional oxygen.
- Thanks to the compressor, water is mixed in the tank. This significantly improves the quality of the contents of the aquarium. If the tank is equipped with a thermoregulation system - a thermostat, then the heated layers of water due to the compressor are mixed with chilled ones. Thus, optimal temperature conditions are maintained.
- This setting gives the aquarium an aesthetic look.
- The compressor prevents the formation of a film on the surface of the water. As a result, the occurrence of harmful bacteria and dust is prevented.
- Karasi are fish accustomed to living in natural bodies of water with a moderate course. Stagnant aquarium water causes some discomfort to pets. The compressor fixes this problem. Due to its functioning, there is a movement of water, simulating the course of the river. In such a vessel, fish will swim with great pleasure.
Jewelry
There are many home decor options for pets. The main thing in the use of jewelry is that the habitat repeats the natural conditions of the life of crucians as much as possible.
One of the ways to decorate an aquarium is to cover the bottom with large river sand mixed with large river stones without sharp corners. Several snags located in the form of blockages will create the effect of a natural reservoir. All items of jewelry must be carefully processed before being placed in the aquarium. Thus, it is possible to avoid the development of harmful organisms in the tank.
As an external background in order to create the effect of a real pond, you can use a film of dark colors (black, blue, etc.).
Landscaping
Karasi are cold-loving fish. Therefore, not all plants are suitable in the home of fish. On the other hand, due to the omnivorous nature of the carp, not all landscaping can remain intact. Therefore, plants capable of withstanding a water temperature of 17-20 degrees Celsius are ideal in an aquarium with crucian carp. Such options are hornwort, Elodea, cirrus, vallisneria, key moss. The surface of the liquid can be decorated with duckweed, water lilies, egg capsules. To reduce the craving for fish to eat green decor, it is recommended to include vegetable feed in the diet. Both industrial seasonings and scalded leaves of green salad or nettle are suitable.
Karasi in the aquarium: care and care
Fish can live and breed in captivity. But for this it is necessary to create optimal conditions for them.
Care and maintenance of crucian carp in the aquarium begins with the arrangement of a fish dwelling. At the bottom, it is best to pour soil purchased in specialized pet stores. You can also supplement the coating with river or street sand, previously cleaned.
Due to the fact that fish emit a large amount of natural waste, aquarium cleaning should be carried out every week.
Karasiki are sensitive to bleach. In the case of using tap water, it is recommended to defend it for several hours beforehand.
For better adaptation of crucian carp in new conditions, it is recommended to put a large table lamp near the aquarium, which will illuminate the vessel during the night.
In order for the acquired fish not to die in the very first days after the purchase, it is necessary to withstand the so-called “nitrogen period”. The water in the aquarium should “ripen” for a week before the inhabitants of the tank settle in it. If you do so, the fish will live happily for many years in the vessel.
What to feed
The diet of fish can consist of industrial semi-finished products. In any specialized store you can purchase various types of fish food.
Simultaneously with the finished products, rations of pets should consist of earthworms, bloodworms, scraped meat, larvae of various insects.
The owner should not particularly worry than feed the crucians in the aquarium. Fish are quite unpretentious in food. They with equal pleasure absorb both animal products and pieces of vegetables and fruits. The main thing is that the fish do not overeat, otherwise they are facing obesity. The optimal feeding regime for carp is twice a day in standard portions.
Captive breeding
Karasi breed well at home. The readiness of males for the fertilization of the female is evidenced by a specific spawning rash on the gill wings.
For breeding carp, a pair of individuals or a group of fish with a predominance of males is needed. Selected pets are placed in a special spawning aquarium, where the bottom surface is laid out with snags to fix the eggs. Plants or algae should also float on the water. In favorable conditions, fry can hatch already on the third day after spawning. It is best to remove newborn fish from gluttonous parents. How to feed crucians in an aquarium immediately after birth? It is best to use artemia or a special artificial feed for young animals.
Pet Neighbors
If several species of fish live in one vessel, it should be taken into account that representatives of the cyprinid family soon become leaders in the local community. Existing in the aquarium with other fish, crucian carp can simply eat its neighbors. As a result of this, it is recommended that the closest relatives of pets or fish, who can stand up for themselves and their offspring, settle in the same container.
Optimal species for the vicinity of crucian carp are goldfish, telescopes, veil tails, and the sky eye.
Planting several species in one aquarium at the same time, it should be borne in mind that crucians love cold water. Therefore, there can be no talk of any discus, guppy or neon.