Fish-snake, or Calamite Kalabari: content and photos

Kalamoichthy (ornamental snake fish) are of great interest to aquarists. They belong to an unusual group of multi-pleated ones, occupying a separate place among the known modern fishes and fossil representatives of the fish family. Scientists have not been able to find the fossil ancestors of Kalamahta Calabari.

Appearance

The body of this fish visually resembles a real snake: an elongated trunk, and the modified rhomboid scales are similar to snake skin. In this case, the snake fish has a flattened triangular head with a huge mouth and sharp teeth. All this also adds to the image of kalamoichta an eccentricity. The dorsal spines are located in the region of the tail. Their number varies from 5 to 18 pieces.

Pelvic fins either completely missing, or displaced closer to the posterior part of the trunk. This structure only strengthens the "snake" appearance of this unusual aquatic animal.

Aquarium fish-snake grows up to forty centimeters. She can live from 8 to 10 years. Black eyes and short mustache-spiderman give the aquarium snake a funny expression. For such an unusual species, these fish and become the favorite inhabitants of domestic ponds.

Calabar kalamoicht: content

To successfully fish, large aquariums should be purchased, since Kalamahites need a large bottom area. The minimum water required for a single fish is 100 liters. A group of fish (it is much more interesting to observe several individuals) will feel good in an aquarium with a volume of more than 200 liters.

The aquarium should always be tightly closed, as this snake fish is capable of seeping into any formed slit. It is also important to put in the aquarium various artificial shelters and driftwood. This helps the fish to adapt quickly to a new place and get used to new habitats. Especially kalamoichtham will like the leaves of Indian almonds, which serve as a shelter and provide water conditioning in the aquarium.

These aquatic animals generally become more active in the evening or in diffuse lighting. Fish begins to study all the corners of the aquarium in search of food. After it rises to the surface of the water, twisting into unusual rings. This is required in order to sometimes inhale atmospheric air, which helps to digest a plentiful meal.

Characteristics of water

The water temperature should not fall below 24 degrees. Calamoic Calabrian is sensitive to chemical indices. Thus, the acceptable level of pH is from 6.2 to 7.5, and GH, respectively, from 2 to 18. It is very important that there are no sharp fluctuations in these parameters.

In the process of acclimatization, as well as for forced rapid water change, it is necessary to use air conditioners: "Biotopol", "Akklimol" or "Stresscoat". Kalamoichthy does not tolerate formalin and organic dyes, as well as a sharp change in the salinity of water.

Features of adaptation

Most of the fish that are present in the aquariums of pet stores, are of natural origin. Therefore, after acquiring an exotic aquatic inhabitant, it needs a presale overstay (sometimes up to 1 month) with further adaptation to conditions of captivity. But sellers quite often do not observe these conditions, and many individuals die almost immediately after launching into a home aquarium.

That is why the aquarists have an opinion that Kalamoicht very badly take root in domestic aquariums. Fortunately, this is not so. Healthy fish simply adapt to new living conditions in ornamental aquariums, if you follow the rules of its contents.

A little about how to distinguish a healthy individual. When buying this fish, pay attention to its skin. If there are even small contrast spots, then, most likely, the fish is sick, it will not last long.

Feeding fish

Feeding kalamoyhtov does not cause any difficulties. A healthy fish takes with pleasure various natural feeds (even in frozen form). Especially she loves a large bloodworm. In the warm season in the diet can introduce tadpoles and earthworms. Kalamoicht does not abandon small pieces of squid and shrimp. To dry food, the fish is practically indifferent, eating them with great reluctance.

Fish-snake - a peaceful inhabitant of the aquarium, it does not offend its large neighbors. Large for kalamoichta will be specimens that can not be swallowed. They perfectly get along with any fish, but small things, in particular, snails and neon, can be taken for food.

Reproduction of kalamajites

The fish reaches sexual maturity in the third year of its life. The main difference between the female and the male is the anal fin. The female has 9 rays, and the male has a fin consisting of 12-14 rays.

Reproduction of Kalamoicht in captivity is possible, but hormonal stimulation will be required.

Spawning in the wild

Spawning in this fish begins during the spill of rivers. The males in the struggle for the females arrange rather long fights. After the couple is determined and fertilization takes place, the female lays eggs in the thick of the vegetation or in the shore holes. The offspring begin to appear on light after two days, and four days later the fry are already perfectly creeping.

The fry of this fish have fringed outer gills, allowing the young to survive in water, unsaturated with oxygen. They feed on plankton organisms, for example, artemia.

Unusual behavior

Saturated, fish kalamoicht can behave unusually. There are all grounds for a rather unusual assumption: these inhabitants of the aquarium after a full dinner can play, and not only among themselves, but also with their master.

It is considered that the described fish are blind. But this is not so. They simply quickly assimilate at a new place of residence among a group of active and mobile neighbors. In this case, the fish uses its touch, smell and vision. By the way, people also see the people in the room, so in the evening they can wait for the hosts at the aquarium wall.