Som cuckoo - care and maintenance in the aquarium

The cuckoo catfish are otherwise called synodontis mnogopayatnymi, the second name of the fish received due to its special external data. Relatively recently, the fish became famous among domestic and foreign aquarists, but every day the popularity of catfish is growing. Interesting in behavior, active, bright - it stands out among the other aquatic inhabitants. The African lake is considered the birthplace of soms, they were first seen and described there.

Fish features

1. Experienced aquarists are familiar with soms, but remember them by a different name. Otherwise, the presented family is called synodontis, as well as synodontis-dalmatians. They called fish cuckoos because they behave like birds.
2. Fish prefer to throw their eggs to the clutches of fish from the cichlid family. It turns out that cichlids simultaneously with the care of their offspring are bearing another's. Fish, unaware of anything, anxiously guard their future fry.But catfish appear earlier, eating the remains of cichlid eggs. It turns out that catfish destroy fry of other fish.
3. According to their external data, cuckoo soma are different when it comes to individuals of male and female sex. In the pet store, you need to pay attention to the size, the female is smaller in size, and the males are larger. Typically, such catfish appear in stores when a specialist cleans the cichlid. Fish get along well with water representatives from America and Africa.
4. As for temperament, catfish are very active, but can also lead a quiet lifestyle. Some aquarists say they can spend hours watching the games and chases of these fish one after another. At another moment, they already run up to the corners and quietly slumber.
5. When the male begins to behave more actively than usual, driving the female through the aquarium, this indicates the approach of spawning. He will pursue her everywhere, until the female individual hides. But the male representative stubbornly traces her.
6. Before spawning, females become round and heavy. If the laying of eggs occurs in the general aquarium, the future offspring will immediately be eaten by other fish.Because cuckoo somas are very inattentive parents.
7. As for external data, catfish is streamlined, flattened, elongated along the body. On the lower lip there are 3 pairs of antennae. The color of the fish is spotty, the males are bright and collected, there is more fin on the back. The females are round and thick, not so colorful. Representatives of this family can live up to 15 years in an aquarium, which is impressive and allows you to attribute them to long-livers.

Content

1. The fish are quite large, so they need a spacious dwelling. Cuckoos reach a length of 15 cm., Experts advise to allocate at least 100 l per individual. water space.
2. Take care that the tank is equipped with an external filter element. Aeration is also important. The fish are hidden, there must be a lot of grottoes, pipes, various stones and vegetation. 30% of water is drained weekly, a new, pre-prepared is added instead.
3. To make cuckoos feel comfortable, they need a temperature regime of between 23 and 28 degrees. Acidity should be 7-8 units, and hardness - 10-20 units.
4. Soma by their natural features eat everything, so it is allowed to give them animal and vegetable food.The fishes of the represented family are systematically fed with lettuce, peas, cucumber, zucchini and spirulina. Also, when kept in an aquarium, it is very important that pets eat frozen and dry food.
5. It is not necessary to contain synodontis with small fish, because the latter will be perceived as live food. Soma they simply eat or cornered and clogged. These fish are perfectly combined with cichlids, whose habitats are lakes.
6. As for the number of individuals, then start a flock at once. If you put a few soms in the tank, they will be shy. You rarely see them frolicking and fun. And in the company of relatives fish feel more confident.
7. Catfish of this subspecies live preferably at night. During the day, they rest in their shelter. Ideally prepared dwelling includes darkened places with algae and grottoes. They feed soms in the evening when they are most active.

Breeding

1. Catfish are peaceful aquarium dwellers. In 100 l. Aquarium of the order of 6 individuals will quietly get along with other fish. For catfish it is recommended to install a bottom filter.Ground corals and small gravel are excellent as a primer.
2. Rakushnyak can become a house for catfish. In addition, it raises the pH balance to the optimum level. It is highly recommended to place densely growing algae. Catfish love to hide in such plants. They also relax in such shelters.
3. The temperature of the water is recommended to maintain about 24-26 degrees. In addition, for the general decoration and comfort of catfish, it is recommended to place several artificial rocks in the aquarium. In such conditions, after 1 month you can notice signs of spawning.
4. Take a good look, you can see that the female is stouter and filled with caviar. This indicates that the individual is fully prepared for spawning. For the successful breeding of catfish it is recommended to use flower pots. It is recommended to place marble in them.
5. For breeding will be enough of a piece of flower pot. Put marble balls in it. Place the pot in the spawning area and cover with something. The entrance to the house should be quite narrow. Do not be disappointed ahead of time, if the fish at first will be afraid of a new object in the aquarium.After 2-3 days, the catfish will take over the house.
6. After about a week, the catfish begin to be active. Do not be surprised if you see a male chasing a female. During the mating dance fish from time to time will swim in a new house. Individuals may be there for several minutes, then they will swim again. Such manipulations can be repeated many times.
7. Usually, the male tries to entwine the female, but she constantly swims away from him. Individuals can approach only in a secluded place. Therefore, the pairing will occur in the new house. Consider, if you have several individuals, the males will fight for leadership among themselves. Do not worry, the fish do not harm each other.
8. After all the marriage dances and catch-ups, after 3-4 days in the house the larvae of catfish appear. It is recommended to carefully remove the pot from the aquarium and move it to another container. Thus, the fry will not be eaten by other inhabitants.
9. At first, the fry will feed on the yolk vesicle. Only after that they are allowed to give microharmon. To make this happen, you have to wait a little more than a week. Begin to feed cops abundantly. After they grow up, transplant them into a common aquarium.

Soy cuckoos are quite interesting representatives of their family. Watch them carefully, especially during spawning. If you have cichlids, it is better to breed catfish in a separate aquarium. Otherwise, these fish are quite easy to maintain. It is not necessary to move them to individuals, smaller in size. Catfish can be hostile to them.

Video: catfish cuckoo (multi-spotted synodontis)