Dawkinsia exclamatio
The exclamation barb is naturally found in the Kallada River in Kerala, India. The fish are found in shoals, at a depth of up to 50 cm. Conditions in which these fish live constantly change depending on the season - the water level is up and down, as well as its turbidity and chemical composition varies.
The body dawkinsia exclamatio in the rays of reflected light shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. It should be noted that the fish got its name because of the dark stripe on the body and a black dot at the root of the tail plumage. When the fish assumes an upright position, the stripe with a dot is nothing more than an exclamation mark. Sexual differences are poorly pronounced. Males are more brightly colored, and females are slightly larger than males. Make no mistake about the sex of fish can be in the pre spawning period, when the head of males appear small growths. The maximum size of the fish is about 8-10 cm.
Exclamation barbs are generally undemanding fish. Keep these fish need a flock of at least 8-10 individuals. Possible content in a common aquarium with other peace-loving and commensurate in size fish. For the content is suitable aquarium of 180 liters.
Water parameters: temperature 19-25° C, hardness dH 2-10°, acidity pH 6,0-7,5. Requires quality filtration, aeration and weekly replacement of up to 1/2 of the aquarium water with fresh.
As the soil is desirable to use a mixture of river sand with gravel, which will make the substrate as close as possible to what the fish are used to in nature. Also at the bottom to arrange a few large boulders and snags. Around the perimeter of the aquarium, you can plant bushes, such as ferns, mosses and anubias.
In nature, exclamation barbs feed on various worms, insects, crustaceans and various algae. In the aquarium, the fish are fed live and frozen food: bloodworms, daphnia, artemia. Also, to enhance color fish are given dry food in the form of flakes and granules containing spirulina.
Reproduction
Upon reaching adulthood exclamation barbs begin to spawn periodically, and spawning is not dependent on the time of year and may occur in the same aquarium, where permanently live fish, though the survival rate of fry in such conditions is very low.
To maintain the stock of fry need to be deposited in the spawning tank group of adult fish.At the bottom of the spawning tank should be placed separator mesh or small-leaved bushes of plants.
Spawning takes place in the morning hours. During spawning, females lay eggs in the water column, and males immediately fertilize the eggs. After spawning, the producers are set aside. The eggs are incubated for 24-48 hours. Hatch fry fed live dust, and after 7-10 days begin to give nauplii Artemia.
