Aquarium flashlight fish: care and maintenance

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Lantern fish are unpretentious and peaceful, so they are very popular in home aquariums. Due to the fact that the fish can live in a wide range of water parameters and temperatures, they are excellent for keeping with other non-aggressive species. Consider the appearance, features of reproduction and maintenance of flashlight fish.

General information

The aquarium flashlight fish got its name due to small bright spots that are located at the base of the tail and at the gill cover. When rays of light fall on them, there is a feeling that they glow. This feature can only be seen in good light. Also common is the name lighthouse fish.

The flashlight fish belongs to the carp order, the haracin family. It is believed that the species first appeared in South America. The habitat of flashlight fish is Peru, Guiana, Brazil, Suriname, Guyana. They settle in slow-flowing rivers, streams, lakes, tributaries and coastal areas. Prefer shallow depths, often found inthickets of plants. They are also found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Most often they live in areas with lush greenery, and therefore are unaccustomed to bright light. They were brought to Europe in 1910.

In good conditions, the fish can live 5-6 years.

Fish-lanterns have good immunity. In case of a change in their behavior, color, or the appearance of a rash, it is worth checking the conditions of detention and water parameters. Most he alth problems are the result of poor conditions.

Appearance

The length of the fish can reach 6 cm. It has a silvery body with transparent fins. It is elongated and flattened laterally. The back is darker than the belly. Red pigment can be seen in the upper part of the eye. There are dark spots behind the gills and at the base of the tail. A dark stripe runs along the body. On the body you can see reflective spots that are indistinguishable in poor lighting. Sexual dimorphism is not very pronounced. Females are slightly larger than males, they have a more rounded belly. In males, on the anal fin, you can see the hook with which they cling to the female during spawning. In the light, they can see the swim bladder, in females it is visible much worse. Also in males, on the anal fin, you can see a small light stroke, which is crossed by 3-4 rays. Below are photos of the flashlight fish.

Character and compatibility

Lantern fish when kept alone become inactive and start to get sick. This is due to the fact that in nature they live in flocks. It is best to keep flashlights in an amount of 6up to 20 individuals.

These are peaceful and active inhabitants of the aquarium. They can easily get along with other proportional fish. They live in the middle and upper layers of the water, they like to hide in algae. They can be kept together with gourami, zebrafish, small cichlids, rasboras, tetras, livebearers. Do not settle together with aggressive and large species that can harm the lanterns. It is also worth giving up the neighborhood with fish that have long lush fins. Flashlights can bite them.

Content Features

The flashlight fish lives in fresh waters. The aquarium should have a rectangular, elongated shape. For a couple of fish, the volume of the aquarium should be 15 liters. For a flock of 10-20 fish, an aquarium with a volume of 70-200 liters is required. For a flashlight fish in an aquarium, you need a filter that will maintain a gentle current. Aeration required. Water must be changed every week: about 25% of the total volume. The optimum temperature is 22-28 degrees. Before spawning, producers should be kept at a temperature of 20 degrees. Fish are most active in subdued lighting, so you should not put a lamp for them. The soil must be dark. Sandy, which is chosen by lanterns in their natural habitat, is optimal. In the aquarium, you can plant large-leaved plants near the side walls and the background. You can also add floating algae. It is necessary to put a variety of decor, because lanterns like to hide. Leave enough free space for swimming.

Feeding

In nature, lanternfish feed on small insects, worms, crustaceans and plants. Finding individuals that feed on live food is almost impossible in home aquariums. For many generations, fish have lived in home conditions, and therefore they eat dry ready-made food without any problems. However, don't feed them the same way. It is worth either purchasing specialized balanced mixtures, or diversifying the diet yourself using live food. Vegetable top dressing is also needed, otherwise the lanterns will begin to torment the algae. Fish can be given frozen food - daphnia, shrimp, squid, mosquito larvae. Adult lanternfish should be fed once or twice a day.

Reproduction

Females reach puberty faster than males. This happens at the age of seven months. For spawning, you need to use an aquarium with a volume of about 25 liters. Small-leaved plants should be planted at the bottom or a grid with divisions commensurate with eggs should be used. This is necessary so that the parents do not eat the eggs. A week before spawning, the female and two males should be placed in separate containers and fed abundantly with live food. Water should be enriched with peat. The water temperature should be 3 degrees higher than in the general aquarium. Spawning lasts 2-3 hours. The female lays eggs on the leaves of plants. At a time, she is able to carry from 200 to 800 eggs. Immediately after this, the producers must be planted from the aquarium. After twelve hours, it is worth removing the whitened unfertilized eggs. Aquarium neededdarken.

The larvae emerge within 24-36 hours after spawning. The time depends on the water temperature. After 5 days, the larvae become fry. Now they are able to swim well. They need to be fed with rotifers and ciliates. Fry acquire adult coloration at the age of one month.

Thus, the flashlight fish has become popular among aquarists due to its unpretentiousness and peaceful nature. She is easy to breed and interesting to watch. The flashlight fish does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. In order for the individuals to have good he alth and to please the owner with their graceful beauty for a long time, it is very important to provide them with optimal conditions.