You decided to visit the aquarium. Long walked and admired all sorts of outlandish sea and ocean inhabitants. And in one of the rooms before your eyes a clown fish appeared in the aquarium. You are fascinated and come back home with the desire to buy yourself such an unusual pet. And have you thought how to take care of this fish, what it needs to ensure the right living conditions? Today we will consider this issue.
Clownfish: from the ocean to the aquarium
First we go to the aquarium store. The natural habitat of a clown fish is the ocean, where it is used to the vastness. And, accordingly, the aquarium should be rather big. Choosing the right amount, you need to consider how many individuals you want to get. Remember that fish-clowns in nature do not live in groups, and they can not be planted by tens in one aquarium, like guppies or mollies. In it they always have to live either singly or alone (I emphasize: one!) A couple. One 25-30-liter aquarium is necessary for one individual. And for a pair of excellent fit 70-liter. Perhaps you will be surprised by some difference in the ratios, but consider the probability of the appearance of offspring in their offspring, who in the first weeks of life will have to get along with their parents. And also need a place for housing adult fish-clowns. The water in the aquarium should be well illuminated and have a temperature of 25-27 ° C, you need to filter it daily and change it.
Clownfish: live house
If you think that in the ocean, clown fish live between rocks and in an aquarium can do with a couple of small stone "castles", then you are cruelly mistaken on both points. Of course, such dwellings can be supplied if desired, only these pets will live in them with great reluctance. After all, in the ocean their habitual home is the sea anemones, or sea anemones. The coexistence of their and the clownfish is unique in its kind. After all, the sea anemone is a predator, feeding on small fishes, causing them deadly burns. However, after the "clown" acquaintance with tentacles of actinia, by touching the fins on the body, a special mucus is produced, which further protects these coelenterates from the stinging cells and allows them to swim in the empty space formed by the wall of tentacles. This is an excellent refuge - no enemy dares even to approach the sea anemone, knowing what it will end. "In gratitude" for the protection of the clownfish regularly cleans their tentacles from the remnants of food. This is an unusual symbiosis.
Clownfish: friends and enemies
But back to the aquarium. If you want, you can settle to this pet of its non-aggressive relatives of other species, but one with it's size. In general, fish-clowns are very nice and calm, but if they see someone as an enemy, then write is gone. They will pinch and bite the poor creature until you remove it from the aquarium. So be careful.
Clownfish: feed for food!
Like all living creatures, these pets need to eat. They are unpretentious and can use any food for sea fish as dry (shop), and frozen (for example squid, shrimp, etc.). They get used to any food offered.
Fish-clown: who is who?
So, the feed, the sea anemone and the aquarium are ready, it only remains to buy the clown fish itself. Naturally, the fry. But, when you come to the pet store, you discover a strange paradox: all the clown kids are boys. Do not be surprised, these fish are born only by males, then the largest individuals will become girls. So look carefully: you want a female - take the fish bigger, and vice versa - if you need a boy - smaller.
Conclusion
These pets are relatively easy to maintain, they are an excellent choice for a beginner. There is even a toy - a flying clownfish (photo), which any child will happily accept. And yet, living pets are much better. Take care of your fish, provide them with decent living conditions - and they will please you with their bright stripes and remarkable character for tens of years.