Poecilia mickey mouse
Poecilia mickey mouse are among the most popular fish among aquarists. In fact, there is a huge variety of their color variations. The fish got its name from its spots on the tail plumage, which are arranged so that resemble the head of all the well-known cartoon character - Mickey Mouse (one large spot is located in the center, and two others, smaller in size, on the sides). These fish do not have a natural habitat, but their ancestors are from Central America. The fish are undemanding and can be recommended to beginning aquarists.
Poecilia mickey mouse can be orange, yellow, blue, and red in color. Males reach a size of 4 cm, while females are up to 6 cm long. Both sexes have golden fins.
To contain the fish is suitable aquarium of about 20 liters. The aquarium should be densely planted with aquarium plants while leaving room for free swimming fish. Keep fish preferably a group of 6-8 individuals with predominance of females.
Water parameters: temperature 20-26° C, pH acidity 7,0-8,0. By the hardness of the water there are no requirements, the fish feel equally well in a relatively soft or hard water. Necessary filtration and aeration of water, as well as its daily replacement of 1/5 of fresh. The fish like slightly brackish water (2%). Before the release of fish in the aquarium it should be established in a biological equilibrium, fish are very sensitive to water quality and hard to withstand abrupt changes in its parameters. It should be noted that Mickey Mouse pecilies relatively quickly litter the aquarium with products of vital activity, so the best option would be to keep them in the aquarium without soil, while planting all the plants in small ceramic pots. This will make it much easier to care for the aquarium as a result.
The lighting should be medium-intensity, diffuse. The duration of the daylight hours is about 10 hours a day.
The fish can be fed a variety of live, frozen and dry food. Poecilia mickey mouse give cyclops, daphnii, Tubifeed, chironomid. In order for the fish to have a bright color is desirable to feed them flaky vitaminized feed. Feed the fish 2 times a day.
Reproduction
Poecilia mickey mouse are viviparous fish. Born fry are completely independent and do not require parental care.
Among the Poecilia does not form mating pairs, males are able to fertilize several females at once. Approximate time of spawning can be recognized by strongly rounded abdomen female. To maintain the stock of future fry pregnant females should preferably be transferred into a small spawning aquarium, densely planted. Although females rarely eat their young, but still fry will feel much more relaxed among the leaves of plants.
Depending on the water temperature, females may spawn about once a month.
The fry are fed dry grinded food and artemia.
Life expectancy of Poecilia mickey mouse in aquarium conditions is 3-5 years.
