The content of the scalar

Unusual body shape, soft, but diverse and beautiful coloring, active behavior and a rather livable character - all this can be said about aquarium fish skalariyah. If the floating "crescents" conquered your heart, we will tell you how to properly maintain the scalar.

Scalarians - fishes are rather whimsical in conditions of detention. They are particularly demanding on the quality of feed and the purity of water. But, let's talk about everything in order.

Care and maintenance of scalars

So, let's start preparing your new pets for a housewarming party. Adult scalars reach rather large sizes - about 30 cm in height and 15 in length. Therefore, an aquarium for a scalar needs a large one. For example, for two pairs of housing should be at least 60 liters. In the corners, you need to arrange aquatic plants, because the scalars are by nature very cautious and fearful and like to hide in case of dense thickets. In addition, these fishes love bright light.

Scalarians need clean water, so in the aquarium the filter should constantly work, and once a week one fifth of the water should be replaced. The aquarium is required to be washed periodically, at least once a couple of months.

Scalarians in the aquarium get along pretty well with almost all other peace-loving aquarium fish. The main thing is that all the fish are about the same size, otherwise smaller neighbors of scalars can serve as food for them, and larger ones can wear long fins of scalars. Well, of course, the size of your aquarium should match the number of its inhabitants.

The temperature of the content of the scalars

Another important point - the water temperature in the aquarium for the scalar. These fish are very sensitive to temperature changes and do not like cold water, so it is necessary to maintain about 23-26 ° C. There are allegations that the scalars can perfectly live at a temperature of 16-18 ° C, but we would not advise you to experiment so (especially if you are an aspiring aquarist) so that you do not have to treat your pets later. During spawning or treatment of diseased fish, the temperature in the aquarium should be raised by several degrees.

Feeding of scalars

Aquarium fish skalarii in food is not particularly whimsical, the main requirement - the food for the scalar should be of high quality. To feed them is mainly desirable live food (bloodworm, tubule, etc.). It can be alternated with special dry food and flakes. Young animals enjoy eating live daphnia.

To feed the scalars, it is best to use the feeders, because because of the unusual shape of the body, it is very difficult for these fish to raise food from the bottom of the aquarium. It is also necessary to monitor the amount of poured feed, as they are prone to overeating.

Adult scalars form monogamous pairs and, when properly treated, often and successfully spawn. If you are going to breed fish, then you should get another aquarium, which will become spawning. In it you can plant either one caviar, or together with parents. The first few clutches are usually unproductive and most often the fish themselves eat their eggs. It's best to let them do it. After several spawning, the couple will train, a natural instinct will awaken in her, and parents will actively take care of their offspring. During this period, the scalars become aggressive and will drive all their neighbors, protecting the masonry.

If all the conditions of the contents of the scalar are met, the life expectancy in the aquarium is about 10 years. Summing up, we can say that caring for aquarium fish is a troublesome business, but interesting and yet not very difficult. We wish you success!