Very popular among lovers of aquarium fish are the swordtails belonging to the family of petsleevyh. Especially these fish are suitable for beginners, just starting to do this business.
Mostly this is due to the fact that the swordtailsquite unpretentious in the content, and the appearance are very interesting. They got their name due to the fact that in adult males the tail has an appendix, which is shaped like a sword. In Russia, this species is known only about a hundred years after it was brought from Latin America. In nature, these fish have an inconspicuous green color, however, the swordtails aquarium fish have bright diverse colors as well intersect with other species of their family. They get their names from their color, tiger, red, lemon, black and others.
Эти рыбки могут мирно уживаться практически с any neighbors in the aquarium, since they are extremely peaceful in nature, with the exception of fish with veiled tails. Also, swordtail males can sometimes conflict with each other, so keeping a large number of them at the same time is not recommended. However, even two males in an aquarium will be few, since fierce rivalry may occur between them.
Under favorable conditions, this species of fish is verybreeds well, and fry of the swordtail can appear every six weeks. At the same time, it is better for a pregnant female to appear in a separate container until the fry appear. It is better to keep broods in another aquarium before growing up, otherwise fry can become food for large individuals.
To determine the sex of these fish is not particularly difficultis up. Young swordtails, aquarium fish, differ in anal fin, which is elongated and pointed in males, and in females it has a rounded shape. During puberty, the elongated lower part of the caudal fin grows in males, which takes the form of a sword.
It should be noted that the swordtails, the contents of whichalthough it does not cause much trouble, it feels most comfortable in the water, the temperature of which varies from 20 to 25 degrees. It is also recommended to change the water weekly to at least one third of the volume. From above it is better to close the aquarium for the most part, since males can sometimes jump out of the water. It is recommended to equip the aquarium with a water filter and aeration system. The capacity of the tank is also of great importance, since with enough space, this species of fish can reach its maximum size, males about 10-12 cm, females 2 cm more. The best option would be an aquarium of 25 liters of rectangular shape. It is better not to prefer too elongated forms.
The Swordbrothers like thick bushes, for whichsuitable valisneria, rogolnikom and other algae. At the same time, it is necessary to leave room for free swimming of fish At the bottom is to put a few large stones. It is good to use sand as a primer, as these fish will look quite impressive against such a background.
It must be said that the swordtails (aquariumfish) quite unpretentious and in food. They can be suitable as dry, frozen or live food. Preference should be given to the living moth, cortex, tube maker. However, it is necessary to periodically include in the diet of plant foods, for example, Riccia or stitch. Sometimes it is possible to observe how swordtails themselves scraped off the growth of algae from the walls of the tank into which they are placed.
So with the right contentSword-bearers-aquarium fish will please their owners with a pleasant appearance and unpretentious content in a few years, since the average life expectancy of this species is three to five years.