Acheilognathus meridianus
Acheilognathus meridianus naturally inhabits bodies of water in China and northern Vietnam. The fish was first described in 1939. To date, little is known about this species. These fish are very rare to find in the collections of aquarists. In the domestic trade of these fish can not be found, they are mainly in demand among Asian aquarists, especially in Vietnam. In nature, Acheilognathus meridianus is commercially caught fish for food.
Acheilognathus meridianus has a light gray body coloration. In the middle of the body, above the lateral line, there is a longitudinal dark blue line. This line extends to the tail plumage, where it turns into a black spot. The fins themselves are opaque and have a white tint. The anal and dorsal fins have a black band at the outer edge of the fin. In addition to this black line is visible yellow. Sexual differences are not expressed. Only during the spawning period can in some way distinguish the sex of the fish, at this time males are more contrasting coloration. The maximum size of the fish is 11.9 cm.
Acheilognathus meridianus is a relatively large and active fish species. Therefore, they should be kept in large aquariums of 250 liters, a small group of 5-8 individuals. As a substrate used coarse-grained river sand or gravel. Plants in the aquarium should not plant, because they can be eaten fish.
Water parameters: temperature 18-25° C, hardness dH 4-12°, pH 7,0-7,5. Need strong filtration and aeration, as well as a weekly replacement of 1/3 of the aquarium water with fresh. The aquarium should create a fairly powerful current of water, because in nature, fish live in a strong current. This can be done by using a water pump or by directing the withdrawal nozzle water filter along the back wall of the aquarium. The aquarium must have a cover, as fish are capable of jumping out of the water.
They are omnivorous fish, but still their main food is plant food. In aquariums, they are fed flake food containing spirulina. Also fish are fed artemia and bloodworms. The food is given 1-2 times a day.
Reproduction
On the reproduction of Acheilognathus meridianus in an aquarium environment very little is known. It is known that spawning occurs in late spring or early summer. The female lays her eggs in the mussel siphon, where they incubate for a month. The mussel's shell is left by the fry, fully ready for independent life. This symbiosis is not unusual in the life of fish and mollusks, but as a result the development of mussels is somewhat delayed.
