Bozemana rainbow: description, content, breeding and feedback

Boesman melancholia or a Bohemian rainbow has recently appeared on sale, but has already gained the love of many aquarists who know a lot about beautiful fish. In shops this species does not attract eyes because of its lack of color, gray color. But experienced aquarists know that the color of the fish will find later and it will be the most beautiful. What do you need in order to feel comfortable in the aquarium rainbow boseman? The content and breeding are described in detail in our article.

Description of fish

Melanoteniya boesman is a fairly large species. Males grow to a length of up to fourteen centimeters, females to ten. Their constitution is standard for all irises - the body is long, compressed from the sides, the back is high, the head is narrow. Dorsal fin and tail - bifurcated.

The fish takes a full rainbow color when it grows from eight to ten centimeters. Usually the back part of the body of the fish is orange-red, and the anterior one is violet. In the place where the color changes, black stripes appear.

To distinguish a male from a female is very simple: females have more silver in color and are completely devoid of red pigment. They are smaller in size, and their fins are more rounded than in males.

With due care, the iris of the boesman will live up to eight years. This is a very active and unpretentious fish, but it is not recommended for beginning aquarists for maintenance, as the conditions in new aquariums are not adapted for the life of this species.

Boesman melanotism in nature

For the first time the fish was described in 1980 by Kros and Allen. Inhabits the Bohemian rainbow in the Western part of Guinea, in Asia. The only places where the fish are common are Lake Hain, Aumaru, Aitinjo, and also in some of their tributaries. Keep described fish only in marshy places, densely overgrown with vegetation. In the same place they procure their livelihood in the form of insects and plants.

At the moment, the iris of the boesman is included on the pages of the Red Book as an endangered species. The fact is that the fish are caught in incredible quantities, and its habitat is under threat. Now catching and exporting the boasman melanotry is strictly prohibited, and the species is protected by the state.

The most valuable individuals are those that are brought from the natural environment, since their color is the purest and brightest. At home, fish can interbreed with other types of iris, so the offspring are obtained "defective".

Proper feeding

From nutrition and quality of food depends on the color of the iris, its activity, health and life cycle. It is to the diet that it must be taken with all responsibility. These fish are omnivorous, so you can easily diversify their menus. Suitable all kinds of dry food for aquarium fish, which in a huge range are sold in specialized stores. Their composition is balanced and has ingredients that contribute to the brightness of the color.

But on some dry food the iris of the boesman can not fully develop and multiply. From time to time it is necessary to pamper the fish with live food or as a last resort frozen. The favorite delicacy of the species is bloodworm, artemia and daphnia.

Among other things, do not forget about plant foods. Wolffia and duckweed are the ideal herbs for feeding the iris. These components will complement and diversify the diet.

Bohemian rainbow: content in the aquarium

This question requires detailed explanation. Iris boseman (melanoteniya) is a fairly large size and refers to shady species, so when you buy those consider the size of the aquarium. Places should be a lot, so an aquarium with a capacity of less than two hundred liters will not work. More - you can, even need, less - in any case!

So, when the aquarium of the necessary volume is, it is necessary to refine it, to create conditions close to the natural. For this, we will not breed the swamp, but make a beautiful and aesthetic "room." Acquire more plants for the aquarium and build a garden along the back wall and on the side, plant a little greenery in the center. Find a beautiful natural snag and put it too in the center of the refined aquarium. Along the front wall should be enough space for swimming active fish.

For iris, a small flow is acceptable, which is easily created. Without the necessary filtration the aquarium will quickly overgrow and the fish will feel bad. As we have already mentioned, the swamp should not be arranged, so every week, change the water.

Where to install the aquarium?

Decorating and equipping a "fish house" is not as difficult as it seems. The main thing is to choose the optimal place for installation. And take this case seriously.

Install the aquarium in such a place that daily its inhabitants were in the sun, but no more than two hours. Light is not so important to them as to people, because in the direct sunlight the water starts to sparkle, and the color of the fish looks amazing! If the rays stay in the water for more than two hours, it will cause blooming, an unpleasant, musty smell. And the fish in this aquarium will live uncomfortably.

Requirements for water

If you are an experienced aquarist, then you have all the necessary tools to monitor the condition of the water. If not, then buy a thermometer and devices, through which it will be possible to determine the acidity, stiffness. The ideal water for the life of the iris of boesman has the following meanings:

• The temperature should not fall below 21 degrees and rise above 26 degrees;
• PH (acidity) is a very important factor: it should not be lower than 6.5 and not higher than 8.0;
• DH (rigidity) is much easier to track, since the data can vary from 8 to 25.

Socialization

If you decide to buy a rainbow of boesman, then do not buy one. These are schooling fish and need communication, accordingly, the number of individuals should not be less than six. It is desirable that both females and males have the same number, but females may be more. The main thing is that there are more than two males, otherwise one will be constantly oppressed. In nature, fishes struggle for power and domination, they just need it. If the males are more than three, then over time the dominant one will not be so aggressive and will reconcile all other inhabitants, and fights will not have noticeable negative consequences.

The Bohemian sheath well coexists with other species of fish. Neighbors should be no less active and similar in size.

Boasman Boom: breeding

To do breeding iris, you need to try. The first time the process can tire, especially the cultivation of fry. For spawning it is necessary to choose an active and strong pair, to set it off from the remaining individuals into a separate aquarium, in which there will be many plants. Spawning will last for several days, and caviar will be postponed in portions. At this time, the couple should receive a lot of food, including live food.

Caviar should immediately be removed for incubation, and this will require another aquarium. Fry hatch very small and at first grow slowly. Feed the offspring need small live food, ideal will be "blooming" water, which contains many microorganisms and unicellular algae, as well as infusoria.

Reviews about boasman melanotenia

Aquarists engaged in the maintenance and breeding of the iris, write that fish are unpretentious, it is just to create good conditions for them and support them. In the comments it is said that the Bohemian rainbow is very beautiful. Advised not to worry, if her color fades - then she is restless. When her condition is normal, the fish will again be bright.

We wish all aquarists success in content and breeding. We hope this article will help you at first!