Girardinichthys multiradiatus
Girardinichthys multiradiatus naturally inhabits water bodies in Mexico (Lerma, Colima, and Tamasula rivers) and the southeastern United States. These fish are found in shoals densely overgrown with aquatic vegetation in quiet, cool, slow-flowing waters. The fish are not demanding and can be kept even by novice aquarists. The only point you need to pay attention to - the fish are adapted to live in cool water, which is sometimes quite difficult to provide in living quarters.
Males of Girardinichthys multiradiatus have large dorsal and anal fins, with dark edging. The basic coloration of males is golden. Females have a duller color, without the dark edging on the fins. Males slimmer than females and are smaller - 5 cm, while females reach 6 cm in length. In suitable conditions fish grow quickly.
Girardinichthys multiradiatus in general is a peaceful fish. Some hostility occurs only between mature males and manifested in the fact that they begin to pursue each other, but eventually all of these persecutions end quite peacefully.
Water parameters: temperature 17-20° C, hardness dH 2-15°, pH 7,0-8,0. Water temperature over 22° C is contraindicated for these fish. in this case, girardinichthys become sluggish, stop breeding and may die. To avoid this, the ideal content of fish in an aquarium without a heater, placing it in the coolest part of the apartment. Need strong aeration and quality filtration of water. Also need a weekly substitution of 1/2 of the aquarium water with fresh. It is desirable to make the water slightly brackish (3-5%).
As a substrate, it is desirable to use coarse-grained river sand. In the aquarium, it is desirable to plant bushes of javanese moss, and on the surface to place bushes of floating plants, such as pistia.
Girardinichthys multiradiatus is an omnivorous fish. It eats almost any live, frozen and dry food. You need to feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Girardinichthys multiradiatus reaches sexual maturity at the age of 5-6 months.
During the spawning period, males literally circle around the females, trying to attract their attention. Pregnancy lasts female 6-7 weeks, after which the female gives birth to fully formed fry, which immediately hide among the leaves of plants. It should be said that the fry, depending on the size of the female, are born very large and 1-1.5 cm long. Just one female gives birth to 60 fry per spawning. The fry are fed crushed flakes and artemia.
Life expectancy of Girardinichthys multiradiatus under aquarium conditions is about 4-6 years.
