Breeding scalar: basic rules

Fish farming in apartments and private houses has been practiced for a very long time. New people are constantly joining this hobby. It is important for them to know how fish breeding takes place. In this article, we will talk about scalars.

This type of fish is highly appreciated for its ease of care and external grace. Few other aquatic animals can match them by the brightness of the color and the attractiveness of the geometric curves of the body.

Angelfish fry are more capricious than adults. This species is characterized by special "sailing" appearance of fins. It is not for nothing that in foreign countries these representatives of the Percoid detachment are called "angels". The scalar has been bred for about 100 years, and all this time, aquarists are delighted with them. The advantages of the view are:

• superior intelligence;
• unpretentiousness in everyday life;
• parental concern for the fry.

The recommended acidity of water is from 6 to 7.5 units. Its hardness should be no higher than dH 10. Among all cichlids, the scalar is distinguished by minimal aggressiveness. They are sympathetic even to small fish and live bearers. Good neighbors are:

• gourami;
• medium-sized catfish;
• lalius;
• red swordtails;
• zebrafish;
• pelvic

But at the same time categorically it is unacceptable to place guppies in an aquarium with scalars. Then those will be eaten sooner or later. Compatibility with goldfish is very poor (due to differences in diet and a tendency to mutual conflicts). The scalar should not be kept together with discus. Under favorable conditions, you can expect that the fish will live at least 10 years.

In an aquarium with a capacity of 100 liters, you can plant no more than 2 scalars... Better if there is only one individual. In favorable conditions, adult specimens reach impressive dimensions. If we take into account the even greater span of the fins, it becomes clear that the capacity should be at least 250 liters. Covering the aquarium is not required as this species is not prone to jumping out.

Scalaria is able to reproduce even in a closed artificial reservoir. However, owners will have to master the art of identifying individuals by sex. Specific distinctive features are not very pronounced. The "boys" have a larger size, and the fins are not single, but are collected in pairs. In addition, their forehead is "decorated" with a bump of adipose tissue, and the front fins are bifurcated.

At a very young age, it is impossible to detect characteristic signs. They appear only after the completion of biological maturation.

It so happens that even the examination of fish by professionals does not allow us to determine their sex. Then it only remains to count for independent, spontaneous folding of pairs.

Having broken into twos, the scalars begin to spend as much time as possible next to them. If the couples have already formed, it is extremely foolish to separate them. Sometimes, in this case, they lose the ability to spawn in principle. Spawning itself needs to be stimulated:

• raising the temperature to 30-32 degrees (but no more);
• changing the water about 3 or 4 times a week (adding 10% fresh liquid);
• using filters to reduce the hardness of the water in the aquarium.

It is also very important to provide sufficient free space for laying eggs. Having decided to breed a scalar at home, you will have to give it special hard surfaces. They can be special items from:

• plastics;
• burnt clay;
• wood.

When there are no such items, eggs will be deposited on the walls of the aquariums. It is impossible to transfer it to an incubator. Of course, scalars need a separate container specifically for laying eggs. The spawning site will be chosen very carefully, and when the decision is made, the fish will desperately protect and equip it. Dirt is removed from the leaves of plants and even from stones using fins or grazing.

If the fertilized clutch is moved quickly to another reservoir, spawning will occur every 2 weeks. This helps to breed fish in significant quantities. When caviar is moved between containers, it must be reliably protected from contact with air. Nets and other household accessories will absolutely not work. If spawning has begun in a common aquarium, the clutch should be relocated to a separate place, since other fish will ruthlessly begin to exterminate the fry.

Whitened areas of masonry are either removed or waited until they are removed by the fish themselves. The larvae appear on the second or third day after fertilization. They need to be fed after turning into full-fledged fry. For this purpose, live dust and Artemia nauplii are placed in the aquarium. Transfer to an adult diet can be done one month after hatching of the larvae.

It is important for novice fish lovers to know that the first experience in breeding scalars often ends in failure. And it doesn't make much sense to blame yourself. Next time, you will need to carefully examine the animals, correctly recognize their gender and in a timely manner move the clutch to the incubator.

For these fish, it is imperative to maintain a thermal regime of at least 27 degrees. It is equally important to use the correct feed. The use of live food (including bloodworms) is the norm. Placing frozen food in the aquarium is only possible in extraordinary situations. And even then, one should not get too carried away with it.

The fish left for any reason without a pair should be sold or given to other people. All other inhabitants of the aquarium and even representatives of the same species take up arms against such scalar. Scalarians are very aggressive and tend to sort things out by force.

Caring for fry is a big problem. They need to be fed constantly, several times during the day. It is also very difficult to drain the water. We have to come up with original solutions so that most of the young livestock is not poured out. Even the thinnest drippers and juice tubes will not help.

Those who do not raise fish on a large scale and do not have serious equipment should not rely on raising large numbers of fry. The maximum amount that can be withdrawn at home is about a hundred.

Lighting for this species should be of moderate intensity. Shaded areas in the aquarium must be provided. The easiest way to create shade is by planting the vegetation in a special way. But a very bright light is categorically contraindicated. It causes strong nervous shocks.

The scalar lives best in an aquarium where Vallisneria grows. Other plants with long stems are also fine. It is these underwater thickets that fully reproduce the natural habitat of fish. You can decorate the vessel with snags and other similar elements at your discretion. There is no need for shelters.

See a video below with tips for breeding scalars at home.