The compatibility of the cockerel with other fish
Cock fishes are attractive for their appearance. Their bright color beckons and makes you gaze into the aquarium for hours. However, the character of these beauties is not easy and therefore it is difficult for them to find neighbors. Experienced aquarists know with whom the cockerels get along, and with whom it is better not to settle them in the same aquarium. If you adhere to a number of rules and take into account the characteristics of cockerels, then this type of fish will delight its owners along with other underwater inhabitants.
Character traits
It is not for nothing that the cockerels got this name. In their color and appearance, they really resemble ordinary roosters. And they have the same character - cocky, fighting. As soon as a pair of males gets into one aquarium, then a real fight begins right there, in which everything happens as in real cock fights.
Roosters come from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia. In these warm countries, fish of the described species live in small bodies of water. These fighters prefer warm water, not too saturated with oxygen. At home, cockerels are not brought up to admire their gorgeous color, but especially for fights. There are even special trainers who prepare fish for fights.
Nowadays, the cockerel is a very popular fish that can often be found in the home aquarium. But this cocky specimen makes it difficult for the owner to choose his neighbors. However, the cockerels can still find fish suitable for living together.
It will be better if the aquarium brawlers are placed in an environment that is close to natural in its characteristics.where there will be a lot of plants and hiding places. In this case, it will be easier for them to get along with other inhabitants. It should be borne in mind that the cockerel is not a territorial fish, but it is safer to keep only one male and several females in an aquarium.
Females are more peaceful in character than males, but they are unpredictable. Sometimes they can show aggression towards their neighbors. In one tank, 2-4 females can live.
What factors affect compatibility?
It is desirable that there be a male and a female cockerel in the same aquarium. Moreover, there should be two or more females for one cockerel. If you want to add other fish to the aquarium, then you should refuse brightly colored individuals of other species. And also fish with veil fins will not work. Often, bettas take such fish for competitors and boldly enter into battle with them.
Predatory fish will not be good neighbors for bullying cockerels. In addition, the latter should not be lodged with large individuals, since unequal weight categories can have dire consequences for bright handsome men.
Representatives of the Labyrinth suborder do not get along very well in the same aquarium - this should be taken into account. Of course, you can create special conditions, but still it is better not to risk it. In general, even in controversial combinations of cockerels with other fish, much depends on certain circumstances and the nature of the species being compared. Often, a spacious aquarium is able to smooth out many conflicts between its inhabitants.
When hooking up cockerels with other fish, it is important for the first days to closely observe them. Noticing the tense situation under water, you should resettle the warring fish.
Whether the fish breeds are compatible or not within the same aquarium is worth looking at based on the needs for the same water characteristics. If the temperature is not suitable for one of the species, then this can cause an attack of aggression and even death.
Do not place next to cockerels for baby fish less than 4 centimeters long. In this case, the fighters will certainly have a desire to show their superiority. As a result, the weaker fish will be the loser.
It is convenient to keep cockerels with other fish in a long aquarium, as they can easily be fenced off from each other with glass partitions. It is even possible to keep several males in such compartments. In addition, with this content, the males become brighter and more beautiful. This is due to the fact that they see rivals and try to intimidate them with rich colors and warlike poses.
Who can they get along with?
In fact, many fish can live in the same aquarium with cockerels. Experienced aquarists can be consulted to find out which ones. Besides, a special table of compatibility with cockerels will help to sort out this question.
- A good neighbor for a fighting cockerel will be mollies. This dull neighbor is very peaceful, which makes her invisible to the cockerels. However, you will have to deposit her fry in a separate container so that they are not eaten.
- The scalar can also be kept with the cockerels, as they are of no interest to them. The only condition is a spacious aquarium. It is worth considering that there must be shelters in the container. Indeed, during the spawning season, scalars are aggressive and can themselves attack their neighbors.
- You can also add gourami to the cockerels. These fish have quite similar personalities. The neighborhood will be peaceful if they are kept in containers with a volume of 80 liters or more. Even if these fish are chasing each other, do not be afraid - these are just games in which no one will harm anyone.
- The cockerel is also friendly with the corridors. It is worth noting that these close relatives of catfish get along well with many species. Friendly cleaners are simply invisible to the active, flamboyant bullfishes.A huge advantage is that this species also breathes atmospheric air, which simplifies maintenance.
- Antsitruses have a soft color and are characterized by a calm character. They are great neighbors for many fish species, including cockerels.
- Neons are also suitable as neighbors, but different temperature conditions can prevent them from becoming neighbors.
- The small size and dim color allows you to hook cardinals to the cockerels.
- Small and fussy zebrafish can get along well with cockerels. The latter simply do not see them as competitors.
A good peaceful neighborhood can turn out if the rooster is accompanied by a lalius or a makopod. In addition, colorful fighters will be able to live peacefully in an aquarium with brocade catfish, taracatums, acanthophthalmus, pulchrypinnis, speckled catfish, gastromizones and some other species.
In any case, before choosing the inhabitants of your aquarium suitable for the cockerels, it is advisable to ask for help from a sales assistant.
With whom is cohabitation possible, but not very desirable?
There are fish with which the bettas can, of course, cohabit, but it is better to avoid this or create special conditions for each species. For example, a battle is suitable as a neighbor for fighters if it lives in a group of up to 8 individuals. And also for them, the presence of decorative elements in the aquarium is mandatory. Otherwise, a normal life is not guaranteed to them.
The rasboos can live with the cockerels thanks to their agility. It is this quality that allows them to simply run away from the offenders in conflicts. However, it will be necessary to establish various shelters so that they have somewhere to hide in case of danger.
Tetra, if she is a loner, is aggressive, therefore, in order to avoid conflicts with males, it is advisable to settle representatives of this species in flocks. And also cohabitation is facilitated by the presence of algae and a variety of decorative elements.
Neighborhood with guppies will not be the best. Firstly, these fish need different characteristics of the aquarium water, and secondly, during the races, guppies may be left without their gorgeous fins.
It is undesirable to settle fighters with barbs, swordtails, goldfish, some catfish. These types of fish are best kept separately with the cockerels. If you have a strong desire to make them neighbors, a good option for doing this would be to launch fry of the desired species of the same age with the fry of cockerels. They will get used to each other from an early age and will not compete.
Pecilia and thornsia can coexist, but only when special conditions of detention are created.
With whom is the neighborhood contraindicated?
In no case should you add snails to the cockerels. The fighting nature of the fish tells them that small fish are excellent for food. Although males can also harm larger specimens of mollusks, for example, bite off their antennae.
Shrimps are also not suitable for being close to handsome men. After all, predatory cockerels will certainly want to feast on them. From this it is worth concluding that you should not settle with them all sorts of very small fish and other harmless inhabitants of aquariums.
A peaceful life will not work for roosters with black-striped cichlazoma, discus, bright parrots, eels, astronotuses.
Basic rules of content
Keeping unpretentious males is absolutely easy. Proper care will allow bright pets to delight with energetic dances for a long time.
- The water temperature in the aquarium can range from 18 to 25 degrees above zero. This range allows you to easily select the most optimal mode for both bully and their neighbors. However, it is important to avoid temperature fluctuations that can lead to disease in this fish species.
- Outdoor air is suitable for cockerels, since they breathe with a labyrinth organ. However, the air temperature should be as close as possible to the water temperature, otherwise the fish can get diseases.
- Aeration is not needed, it is especially important to take this into account when choosing neighbors for the cockerels.
- The water should be changed at least once a week in the amount of 20% of the total aquarium capacity. It is also important to clean the bottom from dirt.
- Vegetation in an aquarium with cockerels should be chosen with soft and delicate leaves so that it cannot harm the lush cock's fins.
For the compatibility of the cock with other fish, see the next video.