Anostomus ternetzi
The Anostomus ternetzi naturally inhabits the upper Orinoco River in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. The fish can also be found in the river systems of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Fish usually keep in fast currents, in shallow water, with stony substrate, overgrown with algae. The fish is named after ichthyologist Carl Ternetz, who first described it.
Anostomus ternetzi has an elongated body shape. Broad longitudinal strips of white and black run along the entire body. The coloration is most contrasting in adults, while that of young fish is pale. All fins are transparent, with a brownish tint. Sexual differences are not pronounced. Fish size is 10-12.5 cm.
Keep Anostomus ternetzi recommended in a small group of 6-8 fish in a large aquarium volume of 150 liters. If the aquarium has a smaller volume, it is more correct to keep one piece together with other species of peace-loving fish. The smaller the number of Anostomus ternets in the group, the more aggressive they are towards each other.
Use different sized gravel as substrate in the tank. At different locations at the bottom, mounds of stones of different sizes should be constructed. A large snag or mainsail may be placed in the central part of the aquarium. Pisces are not demanding to the presence of plants in the aquarium, but if desired, you can plant a few stiff-leaved shrubs with a developed root system, which can withstand a fairly strong current, which will need to organize.
Water parameters: temperature 20-28° C, hardness dH 1-15°, acidity pH 5,5-7,5. Need filtration, aeration and weekly replacement of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh. It is also necessary to create a strong aquarium water flow, which can be achieved by using a water pump or the use of high-performance water filter capable of 1 hour to pass through itself not less than five volumes of water of the aquarium. The presence of an aquarium lid is a must, because the fish are very fast and can easily jump out of the water.
Lighting is preferably bright in order to stimulate algae development, as the fish in nature mainly feed on plant food. The daylight duration is approximately 12 hours per day.
The Anostomus ternetzi is generally an omnivorous fish, however, plant food should form the basis of its diet. Live and frozen food, and give plenty of plant food in the form of blanched spinach, lettuce, cucumber, courgette, flaked food containing spirulina. Feed the fish once or twice a day.
Reproduction
Under aquarium conditions Anostomus ternetsa does not breed.
Life expectancy Anostomus ternetzi is 5-8 years.
