Notropis chrosomus
Notropis chrosomus, or "Rainbow Glow" as this fish is also called, lives naturally in bodies of water in North America. The fish can be found in rivers and small streams with crystal clear water. The water in these places has a bluish tint, which is due to increased mineralization, as river channels pass among lime deposits. The bottom of reservoirs is a mixture of sand, stones and pebbles. There is almost no vegetation at the bottom; all aquatic vegetation is present only along the banks.
For the first time on the European market Notropis chrosomus fish appeared in 2009, and since then have gained great popularity among aquarists. Due to the ease of keeping these fish can be recommended to beginner aquarists.
Notropis chrosomus have a very attractive coloration with a neon sheen. The body of the fish is pink with bluish mottles and stripes. Blue pigmentation is also present on the fins of fish. Sexual differences are not expressed. In nature, the size of fish reaches 8 cm, while in the aquarium, their length is usually less than 6 cm.
Notropis chrosomus are peace-loving fish leading a gregarious lifestyle. Keep them in the aquarium should be a group of at least 10 individuals. For such a number of fish tank should have a volume of 250 liters. Perhaps their content in a common aquarium with other commensurate in size peace-loving fish leading an active lifestyle.
Water parameters: temperature 16-25° C (fall-spring 16-20° C, up to 25° in summer), hardness dH 4-20°, pH 6,5-7,5. Requires filtration, strong aeration and a weekly substitution of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh. It is desirable to create a small current of water in the aquarium. These fish are very often jump out of water, so the aquarium must necessarily be covered.
A mixture of coarse sand and gravel can be used as a substrate. Place large rocks at the bottom, but at the same time, take care to have free space for swimming.
Light of medium intensity, lasting about 10 hours a day.
In natural conditions Notropis rainbow feeds on small insects and their larvae, invertebrates and crustaceans. In aquarium conditions the fish are fed any live and frozen food: daphnia, artemia, bloodworms, etc.
Reproduction
Notropis chrosomus reaches its sexual maturity by the age of one year.
In nature, spawning of fish occurs in the summer. The incentive for the spawning period is to increase the water temperature by several degrees relative to the one in which the fish live permanently in the aquarium, but not exceeding 25° C.
During spawning, females chaotically lay eggs in the water column, and males immediately fertilize the eggs. Falling to the bottom, the eggs are rolled up in all the spaces between the rocks, which serve as protection from the encroachment of producers, ready to eat them at any time.
The eggs are incubated for 5-6 days. Just hatched fry 1-2 days slow-moving and eat nutrients contained in their yolk sac. After this time, the fry begin to swim and feed.
The fry are fed live dust, and after 1.5-2 weeks begin to give artemia.
The life expectancy of Notropis chrosomus in aquarium conditions is about 2 years.
