Macrognatus ophthalmic: conditions in the aquarium

Someone likes fluffy, four-legged or feathered pets, and someone loves the fish with all their heart. Today in apartments, restaurants and other premises you can see aquariums of any shape and size, populated by the most diverse and amazing species of aquatic inhabitants. Macrognatus eyed - one of them. This unusual representative of aquarium inhabitants attracts the eyes of many visitors to pet stores. How to properly care for such a fish, you can learn from this article.

Inhabitation in nature

A group of perciform fish contains a very unusual subspecies, called hobotnokrylymi. It has only one family, divided into 2 genera and approximately 50 species. The main difference between the two branches is that the first consists of Asian species, and the second - from African species. Less well-known difference between them is in the structure of unpaired fins. They are separated from the macro-bagnatuses, and in the case of the Mastatzbellus, they are connected.

The place where eels live - rivers and lakes with calm water and a bottom covered with mud or sand, which has dense vegetation.

Fish are prone to activity at night. In the afternoon they hide in the undergrowth, hide under rocks or burrow into the ground. Safety of fish is provided by observing what is happening around. This is helped by a special proboscis that performs the function of the olfactory organ. At night, eels prey on fry, plankton, small crabs and caviar.

Appearance

In captivity they contain, as a rule, macrognatus eyeballs. Despite its unusual appearance, fish are distinguished by grace. They have an oblong body, flat at the sides. Developing in the aquarium, the species reaches a length of 15-25 cm. The front part of the body of the macrognathus is somewhat like a fox's face. Upper jaw is a small proboscis with tubular nostrils at the end. Color of fish is pleasant, from soft beige to brown and olive flowers. It is complemented by an unusual pattern of light transverse bands and bright yellow dots. The entire body of the aquarian eel is separated by a strip.

The dorsal and anal fins are moved to the caudal part, the thoracic ones are absent. They have a reddish or light brown color. The fin located on the back is decorated with black spots with a golden fringe. They are very similar to the eyes, for which the fish and got their name. Also on the back are thorns. Female individuals are always larger and thicker than males.

Behavior

The first time after moving to a new aquarium, fish can hide and be frightened of the environment, but soon they begin to settle and can swim out of cover even during the day. The group content of macrognatus eyeballs at a young age is permissible, but it is important to remember that after growing up, individuals can become more aggressive towards each other.

Compatibility

Put this species in one aquarium with small fish is undesirable, because they are easily perceived as prey. The compatibility of the macrognatus of the ophthalmic is best manifested with larger and more peaceful inhabitants.

The owner of the aquarium should also be cautious: the pet can quite bite the owner by the hand or injure, touching thorns.

Aquarium

Macrognatus ophthalmic is able to co-exist with other fish, but to prove himself in all its glory, he can in a special species aquarium with darkened glass, the volume of which will be from 100 liters.

The top should not be left open. It must be closed with glass, because this type of fish can escape through a small gap, if the quality of the water has deteriorated or it did not taste. Particular attention should be paid to the angles of the aquarium, as well as the areas where the wires are placed, air ducts.

The presence of soil is necessary, since acne likes to burrow into it, leaving on the surface only the eyes and nose. It is important that there are no sharp stones in it, otherwise the fish will be hurt. If the soil is neglected, then macrognatus may begin various skin diseases. It is better not to use silt, but to take soft sand. Vegetation should not be easily excavated. An excellent option - pots. Eels like to hide and hide, and therefore in the aquarium it is necessary to place various caves, driftwood.

Because the species is active at night and leads an underground lifestyle, the fish produce a large amount of mucus so that they can safely burrow into the stones. If the excess of secretions is not removed, the skin becomes inflamed.

To the quality of water with the content of macrognatus eyeball in the aquarium special requirements are not presented. It is necessary to follow only that it is clean. The most comfortable indicators: acidity - 7-8; Temperature - + 21-28 ° С (permissible reduction to +20 ° С); The rigidity is 6-15. Continuous aeration is required, as well as a third of water change every week. If desired, you can add 3-4 tablespoons of sea salt for every 100 liters of water.

Food

Most macrognatus eye-cat likes live food. You can always try to enter a dry or frozen species, but often the fish refuse it. Delicacy for them will be the larvae of mosquitoes, earthworms, small crustaceans and invertebrates. Sometimes they can also hunt smaller fish. Examples of feeding such fish with finely chopped squid or cod meat are known.

Diseases

Under abnormal conditions of maintenance, the eel macrobotus ophthalmic can become sick. The reasons for this are poor quality, dirty water, unsuitable ground. In such cases, the fish does not get enough mucus, the skin becomes inflamed, ulcers appear.

Early treatment at an early stage can return the eel to its normal state. The water temperature should be gradually increased to a mark of +32 ° C, and also increase the salinity level to 10%. Then you should add eryricycline and griseofulvin in the required dosage (agreed with a specialist), increase the amount of water changes.

Observing simple recommendations, you can populate the aquarium with a wide variety of fish. The main thing is to know in advance how compatible they are, and whether the conditions of keeping some pets fit for others.

Observing the life inside the aquarium will give a sense of peace and tranquility, as well as diversify your leisure time. The very glass construction with interestingly chosen inhabitants and ornaments can become a highlight of the interior of the room.