Eliot's Cilzazoma: description, content, compatibility and breeding

Eliot's Cilhazoma is an original fish of color. Its scales sparkle and shimmer, attracting others with its beauty. In nature, it inhabits flocks along the banks of the slowly flowing rivers of Guatemala and Mexico, in places where there are shelters. It was opened in 1864. Conquered by many fans of aquarium fish. It differs unpretentiousness and well-established habits. She is the most beautiful representative of her species.

Description

Eliot's cichlisoma comes from the family of cichlids. For content suitable for beginners, and experienced aquarists. An adult can grow up to fifteen centimeters. Sexually mature age usually reaches twelve months, but it can also reach eight to ten. Eliot's cichlisoma quietly exists with other peaceful, commensurate fishes. You can buy an individual about three centimeters.

This is a very attractive fish in appearance. The body is quite high, flattened from the sides. The head is oblong, the lips are fleshy, and the eyes are large. Dorsal fin with long rays. Thoracic and ventral fins are transparent. Predominantly color from green with blue sequins to brown. The males are more contrasting in color, and in size they are slightly larger than females. Muzzle has a two-tone color.

Eliot's cilhazoma is a schooling fish. Despite the fact that she is a predator, she has a calm temper. To fish could form pairs, they should be bought for 8-10 pieces. They will choose each other. The available pairs can not be broken. Those who have not found a pair, need to be planted in another aquarium.

Food

Problems with this usually do not arise. Fish feeds are recommended to be chosen so that they fit the size of their mouth. Large representatives can safely give bloodworms, scissors cut with shrimp, minced beef heart. Eliot's cilzosomes are not very fastidious in their diet and basically eat what they are given. Suitable living worms and insects, pieces of meat and squid, small fish, dry food. Are able to get used to any diet. But in order for their scales to sparkle, it was bright and fascinating with different colors, it is necessary to give more live food.

Eiliot cichlazomas feed on algae that form on walls and stones, daphnia, moth and artemia. The diet should contain a plant supplement. It is recommended to feed twice daily. To strengthen the immune system, it is advisable to arrange a fasting day once a week, that is, not to feed them at all.

These creatures are very voracious, therefore they eat all the food that fell to the bottom of the aquarium, passing through the gills. That's why the soil should be clean.

Content

Soft water is the environment in which Elliot's cichlazoma is very well. The content should pass in a spacious aquarium, as the individual grows to fifteen centimeters. Even in the aquarium must be small and large stones and shelters (grottos). For soil it is better to use dark or light gravel of medium size, or even better - soft and clean sand, since fish like to flounder in the ground. Aquarium plants are suitable with hard leaves and a powerful root system. Roots should be strengthened with stones. There should not necessarily be many plants. You can get some snags, dry scalded leaves of oak and almonds put on the sand. Additional elements should be in moderation, because the fish like space for swimming.

Plants they do not touch, on other inhabitants do not pay attention. Eliot's cymbals are compatible. In the behavior of aggression was not seen, but can enter into conflicts with large fish, and small inhabitants can damage or eat.

The owners remember these amazing fish and, when they come close, try to attract attention. In the aquarium should be a quality filter, as fish need clean water. There should be increased aeration and daily replacement of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh water. One pair must have one hundred liters. Can not be kept together with species that have veil fins. The fish feels comfortable in soft and medium hardness water (dH 4-12 °) at a temperature of 25-30 degrees and acidity pH 7.0-8.0.

Lighting

For the fish of the cichlazoma Eliot, the lighting should be moderate (at an intensity of about 0.3 W / l). Or you can plant bushes of floating plants on the water surface. They will be like a natural light filter.

Breeding

With a good feeding to the year of their life, the fish find themselves a pair. Spawning, as a rule, takes place in a common aquarium. They choose a suitable stone, clean it, lay it on it with caviar or dig a small hole beside it. The female lays eggs, later the male fertilizes the eggs, and then protects the site together. They all drive him away from him. It can hatch about 100-500 pieces. While the larvae do not poke through, the fish eat little. Caviar can be taken or left in the fish cichlazoma Eliot.

Breeding these fish is a fascinating process. When there are a lot of fry, they swim with a "cloud". They should be fed with artemia. As you grow, you can start giving other food. It is necessary to control the content of nitrites and ammonia in the water, since they are difficult to tolerate in the presence of inhabitants. Young individuals can die because of this, even if the concentration of these substances is low.

After the pair formed, the remaining individuals must be set aside, otherwise they will be shown strong aggression.

Care for the offspring

Both parents guard the fry. Usually this lasts until they reach a size of one to two centimeters. When there is someone else in the aquarium, cichlids will be unfriendly, caring for the offspring.

The fish of cilichos Eliot is fabulous in beauty. The content and breeding of its simple, because it is unpretentious. The only thing that matters to her is clean water. In a short time this fish has become popular among amateur-aquarists due to its calm nature, unusually beautiful appearance and interesting behavior. This underwater resident is not snooty, quietly exists with other similar inhabitants of the aquarium. But do not forget that by nature it is a predator.