Rhinoceros fish is an amazing and unusual creation of nature. On the head of this inhabitant of the tropical seas is a real horn that can reach a length of up to 1 meter. This gives the stigma a resemblance to the muzzle of a rhino. The article provides information on the living conditions of this fish in the wild and the possibility of its maintenance in the aquarium.
Description
Rhinoceros fish is not the name of one species, but of a whole group of fish. They are also called socks or unicorns.
The external appearance of the nose is peculiar. This is one of the most unusual fish that cannot be confused with other species. At the top of the rhinoceros head is a long, pointed process that resembles a horn. This outgrowth is not a weapon of attack. It helps fish move quickly and easily in the water. The horn begins to grow from a young age, in adults it is approximately equal to the length of the head, but can grow up to 1 meter.
The body of the rhino fish is oval. Its length starts from 50 cm. Dimensions largely depend on the variety of fish. The largest representative of this group is the real nose. It can grow up to 1 meter. Small rhinos have a body length of not more than 30 cm.
The color of the scales depends on the type of fish. Most often it is gray or brownish. Some nosachi have a rather bright color. Body color is very variable. These fish can change their color in just a few seconds. The shades of the scales depend on the lighting and the environment. When the nosy go out into the open water for food, their sides turn silver, their abdomen become white, and their backs become greenish.
These are typical members of the surgical fish family. What is the reason for this name? At the base of the surgical tail are sharp spikes that resemble a scalpel. They contain poison. With the help of these devices, fish defend themselves from enemies. Such protective equipment is also available for nosok.
Where nosas meet
Where does rhino fish live? It is found in the tropical latitudes of the Indian and Pacific Ocean. Distribution range - from the eastern coast of Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. Butcher was also found in the Red Sea and in the waters around Japan. This species of fish is completely absent in the Atlantic.
Lifestyle
Nosachi love to live near the coast. They are kept close to coral reefs and rocks. These fish can be found at a shallow depth - from 1 to 150 meters. In shallow water fry usually swim. Adult individuals descend to a depth of more than 25 meters.
Adult fish are kept in schools. They lead a daily life. During daylight hours, nosach swim in search of food. At night, the fish go to rest under the coral reefs. Young individuals live in lagoons and are kept either singly or in small groups.
Nutrition
The nosers have a very small mouth, but rather sharp teeth. This is due to the way of eating. These fish love to eat brown algae. Only rarely do nosoacs eat small crustaceans and other small invertebrates. The oral apparatus allows the fish to scrape off algae from the surface of stones and corals.
Fry and juveniles feed on plankton. But as they grow older, fish switch to eating algae.
Breeding
Nosachi spawn from December to July. Reproduction occurs during the full moon. During this period, the fish rise up. The female swallows small eggs in the surface layers of the ocean. The maturation period of the embryos is very short. Five days after fertilization of the eggs by males, larvae are born.
Hatched larvae are completely unlike adult individuals. They have a disc-shaped transparent body with vertical ridges. For a long time, zoologists mistakenly considered the nasal larva to be a separate species of marine inhabitants.
At the larval stage, fish live in the water column. They feed on small planktonic organisms.
After 2-3 months, the larvae appear in coastal waters. Soon they turn into fry and become similar in appearance to adults. The digestive tract of fish is significantly lengthened. This allows juveniles to feed on algae. As soon as the body length of the fry reaches 11-12 cm, a horn begins to grow on the head of a young fish.
Aquarium Maintenance
Can rhino fish be kept in an aquarium? Some representatives of this group are quite adapted for life in a home reservoir. For captive, the real nose is most suitable. This fish is quite unpretentious and hardy, and also has a peace-loving character. But for her it is necessary to create comfortable living conditions.
For this fish you will have to purchase a large aquarium. The volume of the tank should be at least 1,500 liters per individual. The aquarium should not only have enough space for free swimming, but also a considerable amount of algae and stones. Only in such conditions can the nose reach large sizes and grow a horn.
In the aquarium you need to put corals and equip shelters. This one will remind nosochny of natural living conditions.
Tropical fish are thermophilic. Therefore, the water temperature should not fall below + 26-28 degrees. Nosachi love light, so good aquarium lighting is required. It is also important to provide powerful filtration and aeration. Rhinos need a fast flow and clean, high-quality water without harmful impurities. Under good conditions, fish can live in captivity for about 5 years.
Nosachi are herbivorous fish. Therefore, they need to give algae as food. You can bring the feeding process as close as possible to the natural way of feeding. To do this, put stones overgrown with algae in the aquarium. Fish will scratch the vegetation with their teeth.
However, nosy also requires animal feed. Indeed, in nature they sometimes eat small crustaceans. You can prepare a mixture of chopped seaweed and lettuce for the fish. You need to add squid, shrimp and mussels to it.
Real Nosach - calm fish. He is able to get along with many inhabitants of the aquarium, except for aggressive species. However, small fish should not be kept with the rhinoceros, as it may accidentally swallow them.
If the nosats live in the wild, then toxins accumulate in their tissues. Therefore, the meat of these fish is not eaten, it can cause severe poisoning. However, if rhinos live in your aquarium, then you can contact them without fear.