Marble angelfish belongs to the cichlid family. Under natural conditions, these fish reach 15–20 cm; they live in the waters of the Amazon and Rio Negro. These interesting fish feel great in bays with a rocky shore, where a calm course prevails.
In scalars, the dorsal and anal fins are elongated, instead of the ventral fins there are long antennae. Streaks of dark color pass through the whole body. Fish living in natural habitats have red eyes and a silvery body.
Scalar is bred for about 100 years. During this time, a huge number of different color variations were developed, which have gained popularity among aquarists around the world. From the beginning of the last century, breeding of aquarium fish in Europe began, and closer to the middle of the century they were brought to Russia.
Varieties of scalars
In nature, three types of scalars are known (a photo of them is posted in the article):
- Ordinary - is considered the most unpretentious and fairly simple to breed.
- Altum is the largest of all. Its distinguishing feature is the rapid transition between the mouth and forehead, which forms a depression. This species has red dots on its fins. For quite a long time, this species did not take root in captivity, but in recent years, breeders have managed to fix it. Now Altum fry can be bought at the pet store.
- Leopold - is rare, looks similar to common scalar. It differs only in a pair of dark stripes on the body and one on the dorsal fin.
Description of marble scalaria
The marbled fish, to which the article is devoted, appeared as a result of crossbreeding and belongs to breeding forms. Her body is in the form of a disk. On the silver or golden body of a marble scalar, black patterns of various shapes are present. The large anal and caudal fins are translucent.
The back is usually darker than the belly. This color allows her to camouflage well. When growing fish, you must remember that its size is directly proportional to the size of the aquarium. Thus, in a small aquarium, they will not be more than six centimeters in length. However, if favorable conditions are created, then they grow to 15 cm.
Home Aquarium Maintenance
The content of marble scalar has an average level of difficulty, so it is not recommended for beginner aquarists. Scalarians require a large tank with stable water parameters. In addition, they are aggressive towards small fish.
Fish such as thorns or Sumatran barbs cut off their fins. They bred scalar at home, so they are widespread and quite affordable. You can buy fish in almost any pet store. The price usually depends on the variety and size. Fish up to 4 cm are sold for 120 rubles, and with a length of 5-6 cm, their price rises to 200 rubles.
Feeding Features
How to feed marble scalar? For this, any food is suitable: live, artificial and frozen. High quality flakes are recommended for the base. In addition, frozen or live food is used, for example, coronet, tubule, artemia.
It must be remembered that scalars are very voracious and cannot be overfed. Bloodworms should be given very carefully, since because of it, the fish begins to bloat, and it is best to completely abandon it.
Due to the peculiarities of eating behavior, a scalar may lack appetite for several days. For safety, you should feed them branded feed, as they are currently of good enough quality.
Angelfish prefer daphnia, cyclops. In rare cases, they break off the tops of plants. If this happens, then it is recommended to add food with spirulina to the food.
Aquarium arrangement
Angelfish are unpretentious. Under favorable conditions, they can live for more than ten years. Since the fish have a specific body shape, their maintenance requires high aquariums with a volume of 120 liters or more. If it contains several varieties of fish, then it is better to purchase an aquarium of 300 liters or more.
Aquarium fish are kept in warm water at a temperature of 25–27 degrees. Any jewelry is used, the main thing is that there are no sharp edges, otherwise the fish may cut themselves. Plants with wide leaves, such as nymphaea or amazons, are recommended to be placed in the aquarium; fish lay eggs on them. In the center, leave open space.
The light for the aquarium should be dim. Small pebbles and sand are placed at the bottom. And from large stones make caves, which will serve as a shelter for fish and become a wonderful decoration of the aquarium.
Angelfish are not adapted for fast flow, so filtration should be moderate. A fast flow of water can cause stress and slow growth, as fish need a lot of energy to overcome resistance. It is best to use an external filter, and then feed water through a flute, or use an internal one. And also need a compressor for aeration.
In aquariums of 300 liters or more, scalar parents feel great and do not eat their eggs very often. About 20% of the total water should be changed every week.
Gender differences
Up to puberty it is impossible to distinguish a male from a female. Sex can be determined exclusively during spawning, when a cone-shaped thick ovipositor is formed in females. Indirect signs are most often misleading. Gender can only be determined in an adult fish, and even that is relative.
Angelfish and other aquarium inhabitants
What is the compatibility of angelfish with other species of fish? This question is asked by beginner aquarists. To keep scalars in a common aquarium, remember that they are aggressive to smaller fish. This also applies to shrimp and fry.
Young scalars stay in packs, but when they become sexually mature, they form pairs. Aquarium fish are a little shy. They are afraid of sudden movements, the inclusion of light and sounds, so the light for the aquarium should be dim. When a fish gets scared, its color becomes a little brighter.
Angelfish can coexist in an aquarium with large and medium-sized fish species. It is necessary to avoid small ones, for example, cardinals, microassorting of the galaxy, as well as barbs, with the exception of cherry. In addition, scalars get along with viviparous, for example, pecilli, swordsmen, mollies, they can even live with guppies, but then fry should not be expected.
Breeding angelfish
Angelfish actively breed in a common aquarium, but spawning is rather problematic. They lay it on vertical surfaces, such as snags. During spawning, it is advisable to place special devices, cones or a piece of plastic pipe in the aquarium.
The scalar photos of which you can see in the article belong to the cyclide family, so they have developed care for the offspring. These fish themselves choose their partner, so it is best to buy six individuals and grow them until they decide on the future pair.
If you carefully monitor them, you will notice a couple that is going to breed. They, as a rule, stick together, do not let other fish close to themselves, guard a small corner in the aquarium. They reach puberty after 8-12 months. They are able to spawn weekly if they remove their eggs. By nature, scalars are monogamous, in the event of the death of one of the partners, the other remains alone until the end of his life or jumps out of the aquarium.
Fry angelfish
First, the couple selects a secluded place, then cleans it, then the female lays eggs, and the male fertilizes them. This continues until all the eggs are laid. It looks large, light in color. Parents eat unfertilized or dead eggs.
Two days later, larvae appear. At this time, they feed on the contents of the yolk sac. After about seven days, the fry begins to swim. It is recommended to feed them with naupilya brine shrimp or other feed intended for fry. They eat three to four times a day. Servings should be small. In an aquarium where fry are present, an internal filter with a washcloth should be installed. Regular feeding, as well as the cleanliness of the aquarium, is an important element in keeping fish, since it is because of harmful substances that a large number of fry die.
Possible diseases
Most diseases in aquarium fish are caused by inappropriate conditions. Microbes that provoke diseases can develop inside the aquarium, as well as outside, for example, on sponges or feed. The complete absence of diseases is impossible, but to prevent their development is quite real. Marble angelfish is susceptible to parasites such as helminths, microspores and simple flagellates. Nematodes can be detected in the body of a fish only with a strong development of the disease. During the disease, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- lack of appetite;
- weight loss;
- change in color and shape of excrement.
Anthelmintic drugs are used for treatment. If the fish is infected with microspores, then it is depleted, the color changes (grayish spots appear on the body). Marble scalar cannot be cured of this disease, but its occurrence can be prevented. To do this, you need to buy quality food, as infection occurs, most often, through it.
If signs of infection are detected, it is recommended to immediately isolate the fish from the rest of the aquarium inhabitants. Infection with simple flagellar parasites can cause a disease such as hexamitosis. By external signs, this will be noticeable by the damaged integument of the head and lateral line; in addition, the appearance of excrement will change - they will be striped-white. Special drugs should be used to treat this disease.
Changes in appearance and behavior are considered the main sign of all the diseases that aquarium fish are susceptible to. Therefore, their behavior or color should be closely monitored. Only through observation can you quickly respond to the appearance of a disease.
Conclusion
Summing up, we can say that marble scalars have a spectacular appearance, they are unpretentious and friendly, so these creations will be a great decoration for any aquarium. They fascinate with their beauty and behavior. Angelfish long-livers, the main thing is to provide them with good conditions and quality care.