Parotocinclus maculicauda
Parotocinclus maculicauda or spotted parotocinclus naturally inhabits fast rivers and streams with clear water flowing in Brazil, South America. Keeping these fish is recommended for experienced aquarists.
Parotocinclus maculicauda have colors ranging from gray-green to yellow-green. There are irregularly shaped dark spots on the sides, which may merge into longitudinal stripes with indistinct edges. The lower part of the body is colored pale yellow or grayish. This fish species is characterized by a large dark spot at the base of the tail plumage, which may extend into the lower caudal lobe. The rays of the dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins are red with brown stripes. Males are smaller, slimmer and have a brighter coloration than females. The size of the fish reaches 6 cm.
The fish can be kept in an aquarium of 120 liters or more. You can keep Parotocinclus maculicauda a small group in a common aquarium with other peace-loving fish with similar requirements for water parameters, with special attention to water temperature. As neighbors can choose, for example, danio, which also like cooler water.
As a substrate use sand or fine sanded gravel. At the bottom you can place snags, smooth stones and a few pre-dried oak leaves. The perimeter of the aquarium planted large-leaved aquarium plants.
Water parameters: temperature 20-23° C, hardness dH 2-12°, pH 6,5-7,0. Requires quality filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. Also need to create a little water flow, for example, by directing the water filter outlets along the back wall of the aquarium.
Lighting is strong, lasting about 12 hours a day.
Parotocinclus maculicauda feeds mainly on algae. Under aquarium conditions these fish are fed tablet food containing spirulina, frozen spinach and lettuce, a variety of dry food.
Reproduction
During spawning, the female lays eggs on plant leaves. Larvae hatch after three days. The first 2-3 days of fry eat nutrients located in their yolk sacs, after which they begin to be fed freshly hatched nauplii Artemia at least four times a day.
It should be noted that broadleaf species play an important role in breeding, as they quickly and abundantly grow algae, which form the basis of fish nutrition.
