Parachromis loisellei
Parachromis loisellei in natural conditions lives in the waters of Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica. The fish stick to places with slow-flowing or standing water, with a heavily silted bottom. These fish were first described in 1989 by Dr. William Bussing, and they were named after American naturalist Paul Loisel.
Parachromis loisellei has a light yellow body coloration with a lilac cast and dark mottling. Pectoral, dorsal and anal fins with blue trim. Males are larger than females, their size reaches 25 cm, while the size of females do not exceed 18 cm. Most of the time fish spend swimming in the lower and middle layers of water.
Parachromis loisellei is less aggressive than other representatives of cichlovae. In the aquarium fish preferably contain a pair, and other representatives of cichlova in the aquarium should not be. Sometimes the male and female begin to clash. Given the relatively large size of fish aquarium should have a volume of at least 300 liters. Keeping fish in small tanks, they become very aggressive. In order to form a strong pair of fish is desirable to buy 6-8 young individuals, and after some time among them formed at least one pair. Once this has happened, the remaining fish need to put in another aquarium. Pisces are constantly digging in the soil and often pull plants together with their roots, so it is advisable to plant all plants in pots or strengthen their roots with large stones.
Large rocks and snags should be placed in the aquarium, with roomy caves for the fish to find shelter in. Possible content Parachromis loisellei in a common aquarium with large cichlids and catfish.
Water parameters: temperature 22-28° C, hardness dH 4-9°, acidity pH 6,5-7,5. Need filtration, aeration and weekly replacement of up to 1/2 of the aquarium water with fresh.
The fish are fed a variety of food: live, frozen, dried and plant food. Give the fish small fishes, shrimp. Feed should be 1-2 times a day.
Reproduction
In the presence of a strong pair of fish, it is easy enough to breed them. As a spawning substrate is a large flat rock, in caves fish do not spawn. During spawning, the female hatches up to 1000 eggs on the surface of the stone, where it is immediately fertilized by the male. Both parents take care of the clutch and drive away uninvited guests. After 3 days larvae hatch.
The fry are fed artemia.
Life expectancy Parachromis loisellei in aquarium conditions is about 8-10 years.
