Distichodus decemmaculatus
The Distichodus decemmaculatus lives naturally in the Congo River, Africa. These fish can be found in quiet, sandy-bottomed backwaters along banks heavily overgrown with aquatic vegetation. This fish is the smallest member of its genus and among aquarists it is often referred to as a dwarf fish. The ten-pointed Distichodus is not demanding and is not difficult to breed.
The Distichodus decemmaculatus has a grey-silver-coloured body. Along the entire body is a series of 10 dark dots, which gave the fish its name. The largest dark spot is located at the base of the tail plumage. Sexual differences are expressed poorly. Females are slightly larger than males and have a more rounded abdomen, but visually this is sometimes very difficult to determine. The average size of males in nature is 7.5 cm, although in aquarium conditions, they can be larger.
A peaceful, social, peaceful fish, not suitable for sharing a tank with too large fish. The fish are always on the move. They relentlessly nibble at leaves of young and pinnate plants. They also do not neglect the algae. Keep Distichodus ten point is recommended in a small flock of 8-10.
To keep fish suitable aquarium of 150 liters. The substrate is sandy. At the bottom should be placed large stones, snags, grottos. Given that the fish cause significant damage to plants, nibbling their young leaves, should plant only hard-leaved shrubs, such as anubias, wallisneria, Thai fern, etc.
Water parameters: temperature 22-28° C, hardness dH 3-15°, pH 6.5-7.5. Requires filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. Do not start the fish in an aquarium that has not yet established a biological equilibrium.
Medium intensity lighting, 10-12 hours per day.
The aquarium menu should contain at least 50% plant food. They are fed with flake and pelleted food containing spirulina, artemia and bloodworms. Chopped spinach and lettuce leaves are also added to the diet. The food is given twice a day.
Reproduction
Under acceptable conditions Distichodus decemmaculatus periodically spawns, but the number of surviving fry will be very small, because parents do not mind to eat their own eggs and fry. In order to save the offspring of fish need to breed in a specially designated for that purpose spawning aquarium.
In the spawning tank of 40 liters placed producers (1 male and 2-3 females). A separator mesh is placed at the bottom. Immediately after spawning, the spawners are deposited. Hatchlings are fed live dust and after 1.5-2 weeks begin to give nauplii Artemia.
The life expectancy of Distichodus decemmaculatus under aquarium conditions is about 3-5 years.
