Chromis-handsome - care and maintenance in the aquarium

This species belongs to the cichlid family, and because of its rare color, chromis has become very famous among the other subspecies of fish. It is also impossible to ignore the difficult character and extraordinary and attractive appearance. All aggressiveness manifests itself in small fish. If Chromis is kept with cichlids like him, then he will not touch anyone. At the same time, the fish can be very aggressive during spawning, and this is due to the fact that at this moment it protects its future offspring.

Fish of the genus chemichromis, which have a red color, have been bred quite successfully by European aquarists for more than 100 years. They have become very popular due to their beautiful bright color and simple maintenance in the aquarium and breeding.

Habitat in nature

A habitual habitat is West Africa, rivers are considered a frequent location in nature. As a rule, small and defenseless species of fish, as well as various types of insects, become a victim for chromis.

general description

Fact! Chemichromis (the Latin name for the fish is Hemichromis lifalili) is usually called a real chromis - such a fish does not have a black spot at the base of the caudal fin.

On average, life expectancy is no more than 5 years, and this is not affected by habitat.

Difficulties in growing in an aquarium

There are no particular difficulties in keeping this fish. But there is one “but.” Because of its insanely beautiful color, it is often bought by newcomers in this business and planted in the aquarium with their little fish, which Chromis simply eats as a result. Useful recommendations in this regard: before you start a handsome Chromis, you should find out everything about him, and in no case be hooked to small neighbors.

Nutrition

In food, this fish is absolutely unpretentious, eats everything, but, of course, it is better to feed it with live food. For example, such as:

• mussels;
• bloodworm;
• fish fillet;
• shrimp.

Additionally, they can be fed with lettuce, which are considered plant foods and an additive to the main diet.

Important features in the aquarium

For this species, you need a wide and deep aquarium, as the fish is rather big and loves the space. It is important for her to create certain conditions for a favorable dwelling in captivity - this must necessarily be a place with shelters, where she can spend her time quietly and, if necessary, hide. As the basis of the bottom in the aquarium should be sand, they like to dig in it and raise their haze. It is important that clean water is constant in the aquarium - for this it should be changed periodically, and, of course, you can not do without the use of an external filter in the content of chromis.

Useful recommendations: it is not worth the Chromis beauties to plant plants in the aquarium, since they do not like them, they begin to damage the base and break off the leaves. It is possible to plant hard species of plants, like anubis, in a container - so that their handsome Chromis could not be uprooted.Water is absolutely suitable for them - they adapt to both hard and soft water. The preferred water temperature for a favorable content is from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius, and the pH level is from 6 to 7.8.

Compatible with other fish

This is such a difficult kind of fish that it can get along only with large species that can stand up for themselves in front of the handsome Chromis. As a rule, these are species of other cichlids, such as turquoise and blue-spotted acars, black-headed and bees - these species of fish coexist quietly with chromis. Varieties such as neons and guppies and the like are strictly forbidden to grow in the same aquarium. Otherwise, they just go to the food "handsome."

It is important to remember that absolutely all types of tsiflidov do not get along well with plants in the aquarium, since they do not like to be in the herbalist. It is also strictly forbidden to contain them with scalars, since the latter can harm them, damage insanely beautiful fins.

Gender Features and Differences

It is difficult to determine their sex differences (male from female) in the subspecies of carnivorous Chromis – handsome fish - it is almost impossible for a novice to do this. One of the main differences is that the female is smaller and has a more prominent stomach.

How is the reproduction of handsome chromis

Chromies are monogamous, because, having chosen a partner, they intend to spawn only with him. But there is one problem - it lies in the fact that it is very difficult to distinguish between a male and a female. If the selected partner does not fit, they become aggressive and invulnerable. At this moment it is interesting to watch them.

Initially, as soon as you put the male in the aquarium to the female (or vice versa), it is important to observe their actions. If this is not done, then one of them may simply not survive, die, as they are able to score one another. In that case, if they came to each other, then the male begins to intensively prepare for spawning, and changes his color to brighter. At this moment, it is important to trace the female’s reaction, if it turns out that she is not ready for mating, then the male can simply kill her.

After a successful crossing of partners, the Chromis female can lay more than 500 eggs at a time on a previously prepared smooth and clean surface. She can arrange her eggs anywhere, she does not have a specific place, the main thing is that it should be flat and smooth. Delayed eggs begin to change after only two days, and in the meantime, parents carefully look after them and monitor them. The female begins to hide them in another place until the fry become more independent and can swim themselves without parental help. This moment occurs almost on the third day after the appearance of the larvae. If they are not alone in the aquarium, then until their babies get stronger, other fish will have a hard time, since a perimeter will be arranged for them by the male and male Chromis, which they absolutely must not cross.

The food for babies is nauplii and brine shrimp meat, but the fry do not grow evenly, and can eat each other. Kids do not remain without parental supervision and control for a minute, and this will continue until the fry grow up to at least one centimeter - only then will parents give them free life and leave them.

For aquarists, fish farming is a fascinating activity, because during sexual intercourse, chromises change their color. Fish of this species, which have never been copulated, have a modest and nondescript color, and it does not at all correspond to the name “handsome”.

The "handsome" ripen to cross only at the age of half a year to a year. The length of the body in this period should be about 10 sentiments.

A special affection between babies and parents

Concluding this interesting and informative article, we can say that by reading it, you can learn a lot of new and interesting information about the handsome fish Chromisy. This species of fish is unique and beautiful in its own way. When deciding to breed this individual in his aquarium, it is only important to comply with all the necessary requirements and to care for them. Also, this type of predatory and dangerous fish attracts many exotic lovers with its incredibly beautiful and intriguing color. And, of course, you can only envy such a strong and friendly family like the handsome Khromis - this species of fish is worthy of respect.

Video: handsome chromis aquarium fish