Pethia setnai
Pethia setnai is naturally found in slow-flowing rivers in western India. The fish is named after the Indian ichthyologist S. B. Setna. These fish are undemanding, easy to breed and can be recommended for beginners to aquarists.
Pethia setnai are silvery with a yellowish sheen body coloration. There are 3 dark spots on the body. The fins are translucent. Dorsal plumage is reddish. Adult males are slightly smaller, slimmer and have a more intense colour pattern than females. Fish reach a size of 6-6.5 cm in aquarium conditions.
Pethia setnai fish are peaceful, leading an active lifestyle. Fish are fairly easy to care for. They relentlessly swim in a flock throughout the aquarium. Keep them desirable group of at least 8-10 fish. Can be kept in a common aquarium with other peace-loving fish of comparable size, such as rainbows and tetras. The volume of the aquarium should be at least 80 litres.
Water parameters: temperature 20-26°C, hardness dH 3-15°, pH 6.0-7.5. Due to the fact that the fish are very sensitive to organic impurities in the water must be quality filtration and aeration. Also requires a weekly substitution of 1/3 - 1/4 of the aquarium water fresh and cleaning the bottom siphon. It is desirable to create a small current of water in the aquarium using the diversion nozzle water filter, directing it along the back wall of the aquarium.
A mixture of sand and gravel can be used as a substrate. Place large rocks and snags as well as tree branches at the bottom.
The lighting is low, approximately 10 hours a day. This should be considered when introducing plants into the aquarium, and select only species that will grow in such conditions, e.g. Microsorum pteropus 'Trident' and Anchor moos, Taxiphyllum sp.
Pethia setnai are omnivorous fish. In nature, they feed on worms, insects and other small invertebrates as well as algae and detritus. In the aquarium, the fish are fed daphnia, artemia, chironomid, along with dry flakes and granules containing spirulina. The fish need to be fed twice a day.
Reproduction
Under acceptable conditions Pethia setnai often spawn in the same aquarium, where they live permanently. During the spawning process, the females are chaotic in the water column, literally spraying the eggs in it. The males immediately, before the eggs sink to the bottom, fertilise them. Producers do not care about their future offspring and quite often eat all their eggs. To avoid this, it is advisable immediately after spawning to collect all the eggs at the bottom and move them into a separate small aquarium with similar water parameters.
The eggs are incubated for 24-48 hours, and after another 1 day the fry begin to swim and eat.
The fry are fed dry food intended for fry and after a week they are given artemia.
Pethia setnai have a life span of 3-4 years under aquarium conditions.
