Labeo two-tone - care and maintenance in the aquarium

Labeo belongs to the family of carp, bicoloured representatives otherwise called bicolors. The fish is quite popular, won the recognition of domestic and foreign aquarists. The format of the body resembles a shark, is famous for its interesting coloring and behavior. There are many opinions regarding who the labo are best getting along with. Some successfully keep them with parrots, others insist on keeping one at a time. We will not look forward, we will analyze the most important aspects in turn.

Description

1. Fishes of the represented family were first found in Thailand back in 1936. Since then began a mass extermination, that is, the catch of this breed group. Until 1965, it was believed that the Labe no longer existed. But then they managed to resurrect, the natural population was partially restored. It is believed that the fish is very small, so they can disappear at any time.
2. If we start from known, but at the same time unconfirmed data, then we can conclude that the Labeans live in streams and small rivers. When heavy rains begin in Thailand, the fish sail to flooded plains and forests. But migration is sometimes disturbed, fish die on the way, they are getting smaller. However, this does not prevent the breeders from breeding bicolors on farms, and then letting them go on sale.
3. When a person first sees the labo, then instantly falls in love with him. This is due to the beautiful color of individuals of this group. Bicolors have a black matt body that resembles velvet, and the tail fin is red. It looks impressive against the rest of the fish in the aquarium. The format of the body resembles a shark, some foreign breeders have assigned Labe another name - a two-color shark.
4. Since the fish looks favorably in the aquarium due to the special color and behaves actively, it is difficult not to notice it even in a spacious tank. On sale you can find albino fish, whose fins with eyes are red, and the whole body is white. From the black and red Labe albino differ only in color, otherwise they are the same.
5. Bicolor means fish belonging to the category of large and medium format. In size, the labo grows up to 15 cm, but with the provision of a spacious dwelling, growth can go up to 20 cm. They cannot be called long-livers, the average period of existence in aquarium conditions is 6 years. But there were cases when bicoloured sharks lived for 10 years.
6. Experienced or novice aquarists are interested in how to distinguish a female from a male if a purchase is planned for the purpose of further breeding. In fact, it is very difficult to do this, because individuals are not immediately sold to sexually mature. Adult females are famous for their rounded abdominal area and fullness. At this signs, by which you can identify sexual dimorphism, end. Juveniles are completely indistinguishable.

Content

1. Since the fish belongs to the category of large, for its content it is required to equip a spacious dwelling. A minimum of 150 liters is relied upon by one individual. water. Depending on which neighbors will be hooked, these figures increase. Laboos become aggressive if kept in a small tank with a bunch of roommates.
2. Two-colored sharks jump high, so take care of the tank with a lid. If you provide a pet with high-quality food, it will not carelessly treat plants. Therefore, vegetation is necessary, but not to the detriment of free space for swimming.
3. The fish quickly adapts to the aquatic environment, but you should not run it in the aquarium prepared today. You need to wait at least a day. As for the weekly substitution, then 25-30% of the total volume is merged. Also adhere to the temperature regime (22–26 degrees), hardness (5–12), acidity (6.5–7.5).
4. According to its natural features, the fish eats vegetation, insects and their larvae, worms. Labo, contained in an aquarium, must be given food with a large accumulation of fiber.
5. As a supplement, fish are treated with zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, and spirulina. Fish eats and animal feed, but the base still must be vegetable food.

Compatibility

1. In this case, it is worth considering some subtleties. Often this fish is found on sale as an individual, suitable for almost any aquarium. In fact, with a two-color labo, everything is a little different.This does not mean that the fish should be kept alone.
2. You need to be very careful in selecting neighbors for the individuals in question. Otherwise there will be constant clashes and conflicts between the inhabitants of the aquarium. At a young age, labo are rather shy and avoid any conflicts.
3. But as soon as the fish reach sexual maturity, they become territorial and very aggressive. The labo have a particular dislike for fish with similar color. In this case, the represented individuals will constantly chase other inhabitants throughout the tank.
4. In addition, a lot can depend on the nature of a particular individual. Also not unimportant role played by the volume of the aquarium. Often Labo in a spacious container get along well with other individuals. But some fish may have to suffer.
5. Keep in mind, it is not recommended to keep a couple of labo together, despite the spacious aquarium. The problem is that such individuals will constantly clash and fight at the meeting. Also, do not add to the general aquarium fish that are of similar size and color. Labeo will constantly attack.
6. Even the fish that live on the bottom will be subject to constant attacks. The problem is that Labo almost always feeds from the bottom. To resist labo can Ancistrus, since they have pretty solid armor. But the soma will have hard times.
7. Carpov can live with carp, haracin, small and fairly fast individuals. Among these, mossy, fiery and Sumatran barbs, danios, congos and terntions should be distinguished. Such fish have impressive speed. Labeo simply does not catch up with them.
8. In the wild, the individuals in question live practically alone. Only during spawning fish meet with each other. The character of labo begins to deteriorate only with time. It is for this reason that you should not keep even 2 individuals in an aquarium. So that there are no conflicts, one labo is enough.

Breeding

1. To create natural conditions for spawning at home is a difficult task. This will require an aquarium of at least 500 l. For spawning a female and two males are needed. Up to two weeks, individuals must be kept separately, abundantly feeding with live food.
2. Further reproduction will be carried out by injection. Fish in the back injected hormones.As soon as the female spawns, part of it will fall and be eaten by fish. Spawn eggs remain intact. After a day, fry will appear.

Two-colored labo are quite interesting representatives of aquarium fish. They have a peculiar temperament. This factor should be considered when sharing the neighbors. You should not keep two or more of these individuals in the same aquarium. Permanent conflicts are inevitable.

Video: aquarium fish labe two-color