Somik can be seen in almost everyamateur aquarium. Fish is actually very popular. And one of the most prominent representatives of the family is, of course, the Ancistrus ordinary (Ancistrus Dolichopterus). Somiks of this variety are distinguished by unpretentiousness, rather attractive appearance and, among other things, can bring considerable benefit to the aquarium.
Относится анциструс обыкновенный к семейству kolchuzhnyh (lorikarievyh) som. In the wild, this interesting fish lives mainly in fast-flowing mountain rivers in South America. In another Ancistrus Dolichopterus called catfish-sticky, sucker, or simply antitrus (without the "c").
In natural waters, these fish live mainly inbottom and feed on algae. Most often antsistrusov can be seen in the tributaries of the Amazon and the rivers of the Andes. Also, these fish live in the upper Orinoco in Venezuela.
Ancistrus was brought to Russia relatively recently. For the first time, domestic aquarists began to breed these cute catfish in the 70s of the last century.
A rather remarkable and noticeable color.- this is what, among other things, is different catfish. Photo fish presented on the page, this is certainly confirmed. The body of these catfish is usually colored dark brown or black. At the same time, contrasting white or just light spots merging into stripes along the edges of the fins are clearly visible against a dark background. The entire body of the ancistrus is covered with polygonal hard horny plates. Such "armor" is necessary for them to protect against enemies.
Ancistrus body shape is elongated flat.The head of these fish is wide and flat. The mouth of these catfish is located below. Ancistrus lips slightly arched. On them, among other things, there are special horny suckers. It is thanks to them that the ancistrus are kept on the snags and stones in the fast current.
These horny suckers have these catfish.sharp growths called float aquarists. With their help, the fish in the wild scrape algae from stones and coals. In the aquarium, the ancistrus ordinary cleans green glasses with its “grater”. This feature of them attracts many aquarists. In artificial tanks antsistrusy, among other things, perform the role of cleaning attendants.
Размеры у анциструсов обыкновенных обычно не too big. Many aquarists, of course, consider this the undoubted advantage of these catfish. In the wild, Ancistrus Dolichopterus body length can reach 15 cm. But in an aquarium, this indicator in most cases does not exceed 12-13 cm.
Ancistrus Dolichopterus belongs to the grouptwilight fish. These underwater inhabitants in nature are most active at sunset. In the aquarium, it is desirable for them to create the same conditions, using in the evening for 40-50 minutes with the main light off, a low-power lamp, for example, 25 watts.
In addition to algae, both in the wild andartificially equipped containers, ancistrus can be fed, including organic residues. In aquariums, they often pick up pieces of food not eaten by other fish.
Both at home and in the wild,calm water soma ancistrus ordinary prefer for. In aquariums, they often stick to the filter outlet and can hang there for hours. During the day, these catfish love to hide in various kinds of shelters. In the daytime, they can rest, for example, in the bushes, under the stones and behind the snags.
Antsistrus males usually guard very eagerlyits territory. Therefore, in small aquariums for two such fish is not recommended. Ancistrus Dolichopterus females usually have a rather calm disposition. But sometimes both female and male Ancistrus Dolichopterus may show some aggression towards the neighbors in the aquarium.
Часто любители, руководствуясь тем, что размеры Antsistrusy, unlike many other catfish, have small, put them in aquariums of small volume - 20-30 liters. But this is absolutely wrong. Unfortunately, these small fish do not live long in small aquariums. It is believed that the minimum allowable amount of artificial capacity for these fish are 50 liters. In such an aquarium, if desired, you can put one male and one female. In the capacity of 150-200 liters is allowed to keep more of these fish. In this case, the optimal number of soms will be one male and 2-3 females.
Содержание анциструса обыкновенного — дело simple To the parameters of water Ancistrus Dolichopterus are considered to be absolutely unpretentious. A heater, for example, does not need to equip an aquarium when keeping such fish. These somas feel well at a temperature of +16 ... + 32 ° С. But still it is believed that the most suitable for them t ° water are 20-25 ° C.
Ancistrus Dolichopterus Water Too Hardlove In such conditions, they usually begin to get sick often. The optimal water hardness for these fish is 20 dGH. 6.5-7 pH is considered to be suitable acidity for the content of Ancistrus Dolichopterus.
Too high aquarium for ancistrusshould not be ordinary. A feature of this fish, among other things, is the absence of a swim bladder. Keep in the water column, these catfish, like other fish, can not. In order to reach the surface, they need to work hard with fins. It is believed that not too deep, wide aquariums are best suited for antsistrusov. In such a capacity, these catfish will feel just fine.
As already mentioned, in the wild ancistruslive on the course. Therefore, an aquarium for them should be equipped with a sufficiently powerful pump. Water in mountain rivers is usually well saturated with oxygen. Therefore, equipment such as an aerator is also required for an aquarium with these catfish.
Of course, for antsistrusov should provideand a large number of snags. Also in the aquarium is to put a few large stones. Plants with antsistrusy plants should be planted quite densely.
Ancistrus Dolichopterus belongs to the groupherbivorous fish. But in some cases they can eat and food of animal origin. You can feed these catfish with artificial flakes and pills, as well as natural food. Experienced aquarists advise that these two types of food for catfish simply alternate.
Зеленые пищевые таблетки, предназначенные для Soms, antsistrusy very love and eat with pleasure. Also, Ancistrus Dolichopterus can be given boiled carrots, scalded lettuce and other similar products. Like other aquarium fish, antsistrusov are fed 1-2 times a day. In this case, once a week, somics arrange a fasting day.
The content of common ancistrus in oneThere is absolutely no problem for an aquarist with tanks with almost any other fish. This catfish is compatible with almost all representatives of the underwater fauna, artificially bred at home. Do not put them in one aquarium except that only with cichlids.
To sluggish fish, these catfish can in some cases show aggression. Therefore, with them in a single aquarium, you can plant only large representatives of the aquatic fauna with a phlegmatic character.
The content of common ancistrus with othersfish of almost any species - the case is, therefore, quite acceptable. But often Ancistrus Dolichopterus, unfortunately, show aggression not only to slower neighbors, but also to direct competitors that have reappeared on their territory - bottom fish. It is impossible, for example, to contain antsistrusov with catfish devoid of scales. Such representatives of the underwater fauna they can inflict rather serious injuries.
Зрелость у этих рыбок наступает в возрасте about 8-10 months. However, clearly sexual characteristics in them appear only by about 12 months. To distinguish the female Ancistrus from the male is quite simple. Somiki of this species have, first of all, a different body shape.
Ancistrus Dolichopterus females are usually larger thanthe males. They have a longer body, and fins are pointed. The easiest thing to distinguish between different sexes, looking at his head. The male Ancistrus ordinary has a large number of tentacles, called by many aquarists simply “tendrils”. In females such processes are not available.
Offspring from antsistrusov when kept at home is quite easy to get. Sometimes these catfish spawn even in the general aquarium. True, in this case, their offspring usually do not survive.
For purposeful reproduction of antsistrusov inHome conditions are used for spawning without soil and plants with a volume of 40 liters or more. Water in such tanks is poured directly from the aquarium. For greater reliability, you can pre-cool it a little.
Откладывают икру анциструсы обычно в специальных plastic tubes or on long snags. They rarely spawn on stones. Therefore, in the aquarium with a pair of catfish you must put at least 2-3 tubes.
Ancistrus spawning usually occurs at night.immediately after transplant. However, sometimes the male may preliminarily inspect the aquarium for several days and select the tube that is most attractive from his point of view.
Ancistrus female lays up to 200-300 eggsat once. This is of course quite a lot. However, this number of eggs is usually laid only by adult females. From young too many fry can not be obtained.
Males take care of the offspring of ancistrus.The female is immediately expelled from the tube after spawning. It is desirable to immediately precipitate it from the spawn. In a small-sized aquarium, a male can even kill her.
Ancistrus ordinary care about offspringvery good. After spawning, the male is constantly sitting in the tube and fanning the eggs with fins. Ancistrus fry hatch approximately on the 8th day after spawning. At first, they hang on the walls of the nest and feed from a bubble that they have on the abdomen. After the fry swim, the male should be removed from the spawn. Otherwise, he can eat the young.
Ancistrus ordinary fry can swimgive both dry and natural food. The main thing is that the “crumbs” of the food should be small enough so that the young can swallow them. Some aquarists simply throw ordinary food sinking pills to small catfish. The youngsters immediately stick them on all sides and nibble hard. In any case, for fry of these catfish, of course, it is best to use only the highest quality ready-made feed.
If the ancistrus laid eggs in the general aquarium,If desired, it can be placed in a separate container, cut with a sharp razor. Male in spawning in this case is not transplanted. Because of the stress caused by the loss of eggs, the antsistrus usually lose their fatherly feelings and can easily eat their own eggs.
Чаще всего в аквариумах держат обычных темных antsistrusov with white dots. However, the breeders were derived several varieties of this fish and other colors. If desired, today you can make such albino catfish, red, pink, brown, star. Of course, veil antsistrusa with long fins also look very impressive.
Ancistrus fish - unpretentious.With the right content, they get sick relatively infrequently. But sometimes health problems, of course, arise among these catfish. The most common Ancistrus diseases are:
With ichthyophthiriosis, the catfish has a noticeably largenumber of small white spots. In most cases, amateur aquarians will treat semolina using malachite green. Hodiniosis is manifested by decreased mobility, gluing and subsequent destruction of the fins. This disease is usually treated with bicillin-5. When dropsy in somikas, the abdomen is strongly swollen. Fish stops defecate. Antsistrus dropsy is usually treated with the use of the drug "Baktopur".
