Hyphessobrycon scholzei
The Hyphessobrycon scholzei occurs naturally in northeastern Brazil, in the lower Amazon basin. The largest concentrations of fish are found in shoals densely overgrown with aquatic vegetation. The substrate in these areas is a mixture of sand, mud, peat and humus. These fish are rare among aquarists, but they are undemanding and easy to keep even beginners.
Hyphessobrycon scholzei has an elongated, laterally compressed body. The body colour is silvery with a horizontal, golden-black stripe. A dark spot is present at the root of the tail plumage. The fins are colorless. There are white lines on the pelvic and anal fins. The male differs from the female slimmer body. Females have a rounded abdomen. The size of the fish is 3.5-5 cm.
The Hyphessobrycon scholzei are peace-loving gregarious fish. Keep them in a group of at least 10. Can be kept in a species and general aquarium with other calm, peaceful fish. The volume of the tank should be calculated from the required 8-10 liters of water per fish.
At the bottom of the aquarium should be placed numerous shelters in the form of snags, large rocks, grottoes. Along the back and side walls of the aquarium to plant a variety of hard-leaved aquarium plants, soft leaves of plants fish nibble, so they are better placed in the aquarium. Several bushes of floating plants may be placed on the water surface. In the middle part of the aquarium should be left enough space for free swimming fish.
Water parameters: temperature of 18-27° C, but the most comfortable for the fish is a temperature of 25 ° C, hardness dH 5-25°, pH 6,5-7,5. Requires good filtration, powerful aeration and a weekly change of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh.
A mixture of sand and dark gravel can be used as substrate.
Moderate light of 8-10 hours per day.
The menus of the fish in nature consist of worms, small crustaceans and detritus. In an aquarium, the fish are fed with frozen and live bloodworms, Tubifex, daphnia and plant food. Although fish will eat dry food, but it is better not to abuse it.
Reproduction
The Hyphessobrycon scholzei reaches sexual maturity at 7-8 months of age.
For breeding, producers (2 males and 1 female) are planted in the spawning aquarium of about 20 liters in the evening. A separator net is placed at the bottom. It is also desirable to place bushes of small-leaved plants in the corners of the aquarium. The water level in the spawning tank should be about 20 cm.
Spawning stimulate an increase in water temperature to 27° C and lowering its hardness dH to 2-4°. Spawning takes place in the morning hours. During spawning, the female hatches up to 1,500 eggs. Immediately after spawning, the spawners should be removed. The eggs incubate for 24 hours and after another 3-5 days the fry begin to swim and feed.
The starting food for the fry is live dust and infusoria, and after a couple of weeks they are fed with artemia. The fry should be fed at least 4 times a day.
The Hyphessobrycon scholzei has a life span of 4-5 years in an aquarium.
