Gambusia: description, types and content in the aquarium
Those who have chosen fish as pets and have recently purchased an aquarium should first "practice" on common mosquitoes (or, as they are also called, affinis). Despite the fact that aquarium owners do not like this fish because of its not too expressive appearance, the care for it is so minimal that even a beginner can handle it: it is undemanding to temperature and water quality, as well as to the type of food.
Habitat in nature
In total, there are more than 40 species of mosquito fish in nature. It lives mainly in fresh water bodies, but at the same time it can survive in a slightly saline environment. These can be natural and man-made lakes, ponds, river mouths and even roadside puddles. The fish lives mainly near the coast, in the upper layers of the water, it feels equally comfortable both in reservoirs with stagnant water and in fast streams.
According to some sources of information, some regions of South and North America were originally considered the birthplace of mosquito fish.
Also, certain species of this fish live in some southern countries of Europe, in China, Japan, Central Asia. Later, common mosquito was introduced to the Transcaucasus (including the Krasnodar Territory).
They were specially acclimatized to control malaria mosquitoes and larvae of other insects that carry yellow fever. In one day, one individual of affinis eats up to one hundred mosquito larvae, thereby stopping the spread of the infection. For this, the fish was even awarded a bronze monument.Several such pedestals have been installed in some southern regions around the world, in particular: in Israel, in distant Corsica, and even here in Russia - in Adler.
Gambusia is a thermophilic fish, so its reproduction in the northern regions is impossible.
But in Australia, for example, the common mosquito began to multiply too actively and exterminated several other species of fish, which led to an imbalance in the ecosystem. Therefore, at the government level it was decided to ban the breeding and sale of mosquito fish.
Description of mosquito
The mosquito has a strong cylindrical body covered with large scales, the back above the fin is slightly curved upward, the head is large, the eyes are protruding, and can have a different shade: from gray to greenish-blue, and sometimes black. The lateral fins are yellowish, sometimes with dark spots.
The mouth is not very expressive, but with a lot of teeth. The tail is long and flat, with a rounded fin.
Male from female can be distinguished by body size and color. In males, the body length is no more than 3-5 cm, the color of the scales is silvery-gray, with several black spots. Females are somewhat longer than males: their size is about 6-7 cm. The female's color is also gray, but less bright, with a greenish tint. In addition, under the eyes of females, two small dark spots can be discerned, the color of which can change to orange or even yellow depending on the habitat and the level of melanin.
Content
In nature, these fish can withstand significant changes in water temperature up to 10-15 degrees, while at home, the optimal indicator is 17-25 degrees. When the temperature drops (below 12 degrees), the fish goes to the bottom, buries itself in the sand or soil and hibernates.
Despite the fact that mosquito fish are able to withstand a high concentration of salt in water, the solution for the aquarium must first be prepared: the water needs to be defended for several days and coarse salt (table or sea) should be added, observing the proportion of 5 g of substance per 1 liter of water.
As for the feed, there are no special requirements here either.
Gambusia not only feeds on special dry mixes for aquarium fish, but also happily consumes bloodworms, mosquito larvae and other insects caught in the nearby pond. She can also eat large-leaved plants. Gambusia can also be given fillets of lean fish, beef. For better health of the fish, it is recommended to alternate dry and vegetable food.
On average, mosquito fish live for about two years. Females can live slightly longer than males. A lot of space is not required for the normal well-being of pets. To obtain offspring for a pair of mosquito fish, a 10-liter container of water is enough.
To keep a larger number of individuals, you need to choose a larger aquarium - about 40-50 liters.
Affinis fish perfectly adapts not only to tight spaces, but also to poor water quality and extremely minimal oxygen content in it. The rest of the requirements for their content are simple:
- water hardness (dH) must be in the range from 8 'to 30';
- acidity (dH) must be maintained within 7′ – 8.5 ′;
- change about 15–20% of the water in the aquarium once a week;
- regularly clean the soil with a siphon;
- the lighting of the aquarium should be moderate, but it cannot be completely excluded: a lack of light can develop vitamin deficiency and reduce the ability to reproduce;
- the vegetation in the aquarium should be with large, hard leaves and a hard stem - the fish will eat the less durable flora.
For the soil, you can use fine sea or river pebbles, as well as medium-sized sand. You cannot cover the aquarium with glass or a lid - the inhabitants must receive sufficient oxygen.
Compatible with other inhabitants of the aquarium
In nature, mosquitoes live in whole flocks, preferring a dynamic lifestyle.They have an aggressive disposition, so it is highly undesirable to place them in the same pool with other fish.
The mosquitoes attack their relatives, especially those who are naturally inactive, as well as those with long fins, which the mosquitoes instantly gnaw and inflict all kinds of injuries on their relatives.
It is especially dangerous to keep goldfish and guppies together with mosquito fish. But fiery and Sumatran barbs, as well as cardinals, will get along well with affinis.
If the mosquito is very frightened of something, it will hide in the ground from fear and may even change its sex for a while (for two or three weeks).
Reproduction
These fish are viviparous and reproduce well in artificial conditions. They begin to give birth at two months of age.... In nature, the spawning period for mosquito fish begins in spring (usually March-April) and ends in late autumn (in November). During these months, offspring of one female individual can appear up to 6 times. During one pregnancy, 2-3 dozen fry are born. If we consider that the pregnancy of mosquito fish lasts three weeks, then in six months one female can bring a huge amount of offspring.
To get healthy offspring, no more than 3-4 females should be kept together with one male.
For the entire period of pregnancy, the female must be removed to a separate container, since she can experience stress from the attention of the males and, as a result, delay labor. And when she gives birth, the fry should also be isolated from their parents, since this fish breed tends to eat its offspring.
The first two weeks, newborn mosquitoes feed on live dust, and after 14 days they are ready to eat adult food. Young fry can also be given chopped vegetable flakes, boiled chicken protein or cottage cheese.
For viviparous fish mosquito, see below.
