Ktenopoma leopard is a member of the Anabas family of fish. The birthplace of fish is Africa. The main place of residence is the water bodies of the Congo. First "saw" Europe in 1955. Today it is used as an aquarium pet.
External data
The representative of this family is not particularly large in size. The size in the aquarium of a leopard kenopoma can reach 15-20 cm, as in natural conditions. Such parameters are typical for adults.
The name of the fish is partly tied to their color. The general background is yellow or brown with dark spots scattered throughout the body. At the base of the tail there is a dark spot in the shape of an eye. Color saturation is individual. Some representatives have a more pronounced "pattern", while others are much darker, which makes their color not so contrasting.
The eyes are large, the body is flat and wide, the mouth is oblong.
Gender differences
For mature males, notches along the contour of the scaly coating are characteristic. Unpaired fins have a rich dark color. In females, the fins are strewn with small specks, which distinguishes them from males.
Behavioral Features
The leopard xenopoma does not belong to a number of especially brave fish. Most of the time she hides in the thickets at the bottom of the river, does not rise above the middle of the water layer. Predatory fish do not often manage to catch it, since the specific camouflage color reliably hides it from their attention.
But, despite its natural shyness, ktenopoma refers to predators and lives on the principle of "fish eats fish." In addition, she is very vigilant and monitors her territory. The main activity falls on the night hours.
Who gets along with
Who does the leopard kenopoma get along with? Definitely she will not make friends with unfamiliar neighbors. Therefore, it is better to pick up fish for the aquarium immediately and populate it in one day. Also, it is not necessary to populate fish of smaller breeds than the ktenopoma itself, this is fraught with the very principle of “a fish eating a fish”.
It’s best for the neighbors to be larger than the ctenopoma itself. For example, Antsistrus, gourami, catfish, Labeau, angelfish and so on. The main condition is size and calm disposition, because the ktenopoma itself does not differ in violent moods.
Content Issues
For the maintenance of a leopard kenopoma, no frills are required. The main requirements are a spacious aquarium, balanced nutrition and non-conflict neighbors.
Aquarium Details
As mentioned above, for the leopard ktenopoma, the issue of territory is tough. She absolutely does not like living with someone in a cramped space. Even if it will be another ktenopoma.
Therefore, those who want to get 2 or even 3 individuals, it is necessary to proceed from the calculation of 50 liters per fish. Otherwise, the fish will arrange a riot, despite their balanced nature.
The temperature regime is 23-28 degrees, and the water hardness level is not more than 4-10. As for the hydrogen indicator, it should be within the limits of 6.0-7.2.
It is important to equip the aquarium with filtration and an air exchange device. Replace 20% of the total weight weekly.
In addition to all of the above, the aquarium should be equipped with a lid, since the temperature regime of air outside the aquarium is very different. And swallowing it with a leopard xenopome is strictly prohibited. The distance between the cover and the water surface should be about 3 cm.
Additional equipment should be special plants for the aquarium, pebbles, drainage, driftwood or stones. You can also purchase special houses, ktenopoma will only be glad of this. Moreover, the number of all attributes is strictly determined by the number of fish. It is important for each individual to have its own “angle”. This is due to the fact that the shelter is a place for sleep and relaxation.
However, it is worth noting that some pairs of fish that formed during the period of cohabitation in the same aquarium can get used to each other and not conflict over territory. This feature is again noted by the owners of the leopard ktenopoma. But it is impossible to guarantee the absence of aggression, therefore it is better to take care of the individual space for each individual in particular.
What to feed
Ktenopoma leopard belongs to the class of omnivorous fish. Both dry and frozen types of feed are suitable for its nutrition. However, a special love deserves live food. Probably due to the fact that the xenopoma is still a predator. In the role of live food are bloodworms, worms, pipe makers, amphibians.
Disease
For this type of fish, it is impossible to determine whether it will become ill or not, since the issue of immune characteristics in this species is individual. The only thing that was noted by the owners, you can not overfeed ktenopoma. Also, you can not keep an aquarium without a lid (this was mentioned above). And, perhaps, all neighbors of the leopard ktenopoma should undergo a quarantine regime in strict order.
As a preventative measure, peat extract can be added to the water, which will provide support to the immune system.
Breeding
Breeding a leopard kenopoma is not an easy task. According to some owners, it is considered completely impossible at home. But some owners of these fish are still lucky!
The first thing you need to understand is that older fish will no longer produce offspring. An ideal period is considered to be between five and six years old. Such data are due to the fact that fish develop for a rather long time and are formed to a fully mature state.
Young xenopomies, perhaps, will make their owners happy. True, for such a joyful event, a number of conditions must be observed, and this in the end will not be a guarantee of obtaining offspring:
- Better to get a few ktenopomami. In this case, it is much more likely that with a period of growth and development they will find a pair suitable for breeding.
- Spawning should be sufficient and contain a large amount of vegetation. At the same time, plants must also swim on top of water. This is a prerequisite, so an appropriate climate for fry will be created.
- Lighting should not be bright, these fish generally do not really like light. The most acceptable is dimmed lighting.
- If the fish still managed to lay eggs, then the latter will rise to the surface and will be among the plants. A leopard xenopoma has a “habit” of scattering eggs.
- Adult fish should be transplanted immediately after their duty, since they have no parental instincts. Moreover, they can eat their offspring without ever repenting.
As a result, you will see a large amount of caviar. In one spawning, there can be 500-1000 eggs. According to the reviews of the owners, there are many more. But only a few will survive, since in the conditions of the aquarium there is a more stringent "natural selection". One part of the fish will die immediately due to conditions that are far from natural. The other part of the fish is in the process of eating each other. Plus, fry are very susceptible to colds, and the slightest draft can destroy them. Only a few fish will remain “in the dry residue”.
The fry themselves hatch after two days, this is how long the incubation period lasts. The first couple of weeks, their diet should consist of ciliates, after which you can transfer them to nauplii brine shrimp. Although there is an opinion among the owners that it is possible to feed artemia from the first days.
Water quality is very important for the young population of the aquarium, any discomfort in the conditions can lead to an early death.