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Labyrinth

The labyrinths, also known as anabantides, come from Asia and Africa. They are usually very showy because of their well-developed fins and vivid colors. They are easy to care for in the aquarium. Reproduction is also relatively simple. They are called labyrinthids because they possess an auxiliary organ in the form of a labyrinth. They have reserves of air in case they are trapped in stagnant waters with low content of oxygen. In reproduction, the male builds nests of small bubbles on the surface of the water. This ensures that the offspring are well oxygenated. The aquarium should be kept capped so that moisture increases.

Betta Siam Fighter

Betta splendens

Betta Splendens male
Betta splendens male
Also known as Siamese Combatant, it comes from Asia, more specifically Thailand and Cambodia. It reaches a maximum size of 7 cm. It is a very resistant fish in different conditions, as it adapts to acidic and alkalinewaters, pH values between 6 and 8. It lives well in temperatures between 23 and 30° C, with hardness values up to 25° C. In nature it is omnivorous. In aquarium we can provide you with a balanced diet with dried food, supplementedwith live food such as daphnia and Tubifex. It is also important plant matter, which he does not like, to regulate his intestinal activity.

The Betta became popular for the colorful and spectacularity of its fins as curtains. It's very aggressive, males fight to the death. They bite their fins and cause a lot of damage. They should be kept alone in small fish tanks without aerator. Females are peaceful, they can be in large groups in community aquariums.

The males choose the female to breed. If a female is offered and the male attacks or rejects her, she must withdraw. Otherwise you can kill her. The male generates a bubble nest on the surface and helps the female in spawning. Then move egg by egg to the nest and take care of them until birth. That's where he teaches them how to swim. At that time the male must be removed, because if he is not removed, he risks killing the fry.

Kisser

Helostoma temminckii

Gurami Kisser
Gurami Kisser
Of the Helostomatidae family, it is also known as Gurami Kisser. It comes from Asia, more specifically Java and Thailand. There it grows to 15 cm, in aquariums slightly less. It is a very resistant fish in different conditions, as it adapts to acidic and alkalinewaters, pH values between 6.5 and 8. It lives well in temperatures between 22 and 28° C, with hardness values up to 40° C. In nature it is omnivorous. In aquarium we can provide you with a diet based on dried food, supplementedwith live food such as daphnia and Tubifex. Plant matter is also important to regulate its intestinal activity.

It grows a lot but does not attack its aquariums, it is peaceful. It needs room to move and moderate oxygenation. Eat algae that grow on glasses and plants in the fish tank. It is ovíparous, although differentiating the sexes is an almost impossible task.

Colisa Lalia

Colisa lalia

Colisa Lalia
Colisa Lalia
Of the family Belontiidae, it is also known as small Gurami. It is native to India, where it reaches a maximum size of just 5 cm. It usually inhabits waters with temperatures ranging between 23 and 28° C, with pH always close to neutral (7), although it adapts to a wide range, between 6.5 and 7.5. The dH should be set between 4 and 15°. It adapts without difficulty to the dry food in scales, which must always be supplemented with invertebrates such as artemia and daphnia. Since it is omnivorous, plant matter is also recommended.

It is ideal for living in community aquariums, always with serene companions. Requires peace of mind and very well filtered water. Periodically check the water to avoid infections, to which they are prone. It is usually marketed in pairs. Males are more colorful and thin. For its reproduction have sectors planted in the aquarium, there will make the nest of bubbles for eggs, on the surface. Avoid cross-species, as they will be weaker.

Tricho Leeri

Trichogaster leeri

Tricho Leeri
Tricho Leeri
Also known as Gurami Mosaic or Pearl, it comes from Asia, more specifically Sumatra, Borneo and the Malaysian Peninsula. There it grows to 12 cm, in aquariums slightly less. It is a very resistant fish in different conditions, as it adapts to acidic and alkalinewaters, pH values between 6.5 and 8. It lives well in temperatures between 22 and 28° C, with hardness values up to 40° C. In nature it is omnivorous. In aquarium we can provide you with a diet based on dried food, supplementedwith live food such as daphnia and Tubifex. Plant matter is also important to regulate its intestinal activity.

The Tricho Leeri is one of the most suitable fish for the community aquarium, as it is extremely calm and adapts to acidic and alkalinewaters. Keep it in pairs. It requires peaceful companions as well. To reproduce it in your aquarium, you will need a corner with little movement of water and floating plants, where you will build the bubble nest. Remove the fry as soon as the eggs hatch.

Tricho Trichopterus

Trichogaster trichopterus

Tricho Trichopterus
Tricho Trichopterus
From the family Belontiidae, it is native to Southeast Asia and the Australian archipelago. Both in nature and in the aquarium, it reaches a maximum size of 10 cm. It is a true survivor, as it adapts to temperatures ranging from 20 to 28° C, in conditions of quite acidic or alkaline waters. It tolerates pH values between 6 and 8.5. As for the hardness, it adapts to a maximum dH of 35º. It is omnivorous, in aquariums it adapts well to dried food in scales and granules. Supplement your diet with plant food, live food such as Tubifex or frozen as artemias.

It's very peaceful, and that's how your aquarium companions must be. It prefers temperatures above 24º, although it adapts to colder periods. Lay out the aquarium with plants and trunks that give you security to hide. It is an ideal fish to start populating a new aquarium, as it tolerates varied conditions in the water. This allows the aquarist to start establishing and tuning the water for the definitive inhabitants of the aquarium.

It is advisable to buy them always young in pairs, at least 3 females and 3 males, so that they mate at ease. The male makes the bubble nest and takes care of the eggs, so it can attack other fish, including females. Leave him alone with his nest and eggs. Feed the fry with artemias. They are easy to breed and quite resistant.

© Adrián Blanco 2005 - Prohibited the total or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author.

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por Adrian Blanco