Pygoplites diacanthus
Pygoplites diacanthus, or as this sea fish is also called, the king peacock, lives naturally in the northern and western Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Pacific Ocean. These fish do not have pronounced sexual differences, but fish living in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean differ in coloration. Fish from the Red Sea are bright orange, while those from the Indo-Pacific are blue-gray. Young fish are similarly coloured to adults, except for a large false eye spot at the base of the dorsal plumage, which disappears when they reach 6-7 cm in length.
Pygoplites diacanthus inhabit the lagoons among coral reefs at a depth of 1 to 50 m fish can be found swimming alone or in pairs or in small groups consisting of 1 male and 2-5 females. The fish are constantly in the vicinity of the crevices.
The Pygoplites diacanthus is a very attractive fish. Its body is decorated with numerous transverse bands of blue, orange and white. The pectoral and pelvic fins as well as the tail plumage are yellow. Anal fin with concentric yellow and blue stripes. The dorsal fin is dark blue at the back. Juveniles, like adults, are striped in vertical lines, but their coloration is dominated by yellowish tones. Sexual differences are not pronounced. Fish reach a maximum size of 20-30 cm.
The Pygoplites diacanthus takes quite a long time to adapt to life in an aquarium. This fish may need a quarantine aquarium volume of 100 liters, with several shelters of large stones laid on top of each other or suitable diameter of plastic tubes, in which the fish could swim freely. If, within 4-6 weeks, fish begin to take food, and it will not show signs of bacterial infection, we can assume that the period of adaptation, it passed, and it can be moved into the general aquarium. Only raise young fish, because then it is more likely that at least one pair will form and they will eat unfamiliar food.
Never get royal peacocks without making sure that they eat in the tank. Also avoid fish that stay near the surface of the water all the time, breathing heavily and swimming jerkily. This may be a sign of a parasitic bacterial infection, to which these fish are very susceptible.
Adult Pygoplites diacanthush require a 300 litre tank, while juvenile fish can be kept in a tank with a capacity of at least 50 litres. In any case, preferably larger aquariums, since their water parameters are more stable and they can accommodate a greater number of hideaways, as required by this type of fish.
Do not keep two or more fish in the same tank, irrespective of their size, as long as no fish pair has been formed. The fish should then be kept alone. Shared housing in a tank with peace-loving calm fish is possible. The largest fish in the aquarium are Pygoplites diacanthus. Reef aquarium - the ideal place where this fish will feel most comfortable.
Water parameters: temperature 22-26° C, pH 8.1-8.4. Royal Peacocks are more sensitive to a deterioration in water quality than many other marine fish. It is very difficult to cure such fish.
In nature, the fish feed on shellfish and sponges. In aquariums, it is difficult to find substitute foods for angelfish. The fish are fed with red nori algae and minced shrimp meat. It should be borne in mind that the angel diacanthus inactive eater and when contained in a tank together with more active fish, he sometimes may not have enough food. Feed the fish 2-3 times a day.
Reproduction
Pygoplites diacanthus do not breed in the aquarium. All fish are imported into the domestic zoos from their natural habitat.
