Dawkinsia rohani
Dawkinsia rohani is naturally found in the basin of the Tamirparani River, which has its source in the Western Ghats Mountains of southern India. It is a stream-dwelling fish with rocky substrate, numerous snags and stones and a coastal area heavily vegetated with a variety of plants. The fish owes its name to two biologists, Richard Dawkins and Rohan Pethiyagoda, who first discovered and described it. Due to their undemanding and easy breeding, these fish can be recommended for novice aquarists.
Dawkinsia rohani is very similar to Dawkinsia assimilis. The fish are brightly colored. Mature males have more intense coloration than females. The abdomen is silvery. The back of the fish and the upper part of the body is shimmering silver with a tinge of lettuce. Tail and anal plumage are red. The dorsal plumage is black with filamentous rays. At the root of the tail plumage there is a black drop-shaped spot. Sexual differences are weakly expressed. It is possible to unmistakably distinguish between the sexes only during spawning, when males have peculiar growths on their heads. Also, females are slightly larger than males. The size of fish in an aquarium environment reaches 8,5-9,5 cm.
Dawkinsia rohani fish are peaceful, which can be kept in a common aquarium with other types of comparable size peace-loving fish. Keep fish should be a group of 8-10 fish. Keeping fish in a group makes them less fearful. For such a number of fish preferably aquarium of 180 liters.
Water parameters: temperature 19-25° C, hardness dH 2-10°, pH 6,0-7,5. Filtration and increased aeration are required. Pisces are sensitive to the content of organic matter in the water, so its concentration in the water should be minimal. Ensure water flow in the aquarium, e.g. by draining the water filter along the aquarium rear wall. Regularly clean the aquarium with a siphon, remove deposits from the aquarium walls and the decoration as well as change 1/3 - 1/2 of the aquarium water weekly with fresh water.
A mixture of river sand and gravel can be used as substrate. Large stones and snags can be placed on the bottom. The perimeter of the aquarium can plant aquarium plants, although the fish feel well without them.
Dawkinsia rohani fish omnivorous. In nature, it feeds on various worms, insects, crustaceans and algae. In an aquarium fish are fed with chironomid, daphnia, artemia, dry food in the form of flakes and pellets. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Breeding Dawkinsia rohani is quite easy. Often the fish breed in the community tank where they permanently reside, but in this case it will be extremely difficult to keep the offspring. In order to best protect future offspring from the encroachment of their parents to be eaten, you must transplant manufacturers in the spawning aquarium of about 40 liters, at the bottom of which is placed separator mesh.
During spawning, the female hatches about 50-80 eggs, which the male immediately fertilize. After spawning, the spawners are set aside. The eggs incubate for 1-2 days, and after another day the fry begin to swim in search of food.
The fry are fed live dust in the first days of their lives, and a week later begin to give nauplii artemii.
Dawkinsia rohani has a life span of about 3-4 years in an aquarium.
