Puntius mahecola
Puntius mahecola naturally inhabits the slow-flowing rivers of India, which originate in the mountainous regions of the Western Ghats. The fish stay in quiet lagoons at depths of up to 2 metres. There is very little aquatic vegetation in these areas and the substrate consists of a mixture of sand and gravel. Although these fish are quite popular on the Asian market, they are rarely seen on the European and American markets. These barbs are undemanding and suitable for novice aquarists.
Puntius mahecola has a silvery body colour shimmering bluish or greenish in the rays of reflected light. The fins are reddish. Tail plumage at the ends with a black-red pattern. At the root of the tail plumage is a large dark spot. The mature males are brightly coloured and slightly smaller than the females. Fish reach a maximum size of 7-7.5 cm.
The Puntius mahecola is a peaceful fish, and not a nuisance to anyone in the aquarium. Due to the fact that the macheola barbs do not have special requirements for the chemical composition of water, they can be kept in a common aquarium with many of the most popular fish among aquarists, including small carps, as well as tetras, rainbow fish, catfish, etc.
Keep Puntius mahecola in a group of at least 8-10 fish in an aquarium of at least 80 litre. Floating in a flock of these fish become less timid and males in the fight for the attention of females exhibit all their attractive appearance.
Water parameters: temperature 18-24° C, hardness dH 1-15°, pH 6,0-7,5. Requires filtration, aeration of water and its weekly substitution of fresh water. It is desirable to ensure a small current of water in the aquarium by directing the diversion nozzle water filter along the back wall of the aquarium.
Almost any kind of substrate can be used as a substrate. Generally, these fish may feel comfortable in an aquarium that may be completely devoid of both substrate and plants. In order to make the aquarium still have some attractiveness, you can place small stones and snags at the bottom, and on the edges and surface of the water to plant bushes.
Lighting should be moderate, lasting about 10 hours a day.
The fish can eat practically any kind of food - live, frozen or dried. The fish should be fed once or twice a day.
Reproduction
Puntius mahecola do not breed in an aquarium. All fish that occasionally appear in the domestic trade are supplied from their natural habitat.
The life expectancy of Puntius mahecola under aquarium conditions is about 3-4 years.
