Panamanian sturisoma in nature lives in South America in fast flowing rivers. She belongs to the genus sturis, in which about twenty amazing individuals. Some varieties of these fish have been successfully bred in aquariums for several years. This aquatic inhabitant belongs to the Chain Catfish family .
Description
They have a beautiful shape and active behavior. Transportation by sturis is rarely carried out, so people get used to breed them on their own. Panamanian sturisoma quickly gets used to living in an aquarium, even if it was moved from its natural habitat to an artificial one.
This is a fish-cleaner, perfectly scraps the contents of the walls and other objects of the aquarium. Of all, the first responds to feeding. In large aquariums, it can reach twenty centimeters without tail fin.
Appearance and differences of individuals
The body is elongated, low, flattened from below with a long caudal stem. Head elongated, small outgrowth on snout. The ends of the blades of the forked caudal fin are threadlike elongated. The fins and body are reddish yellow. From the eye to the caudal fin, a dark brown stripe passes. The abdomen is silver-white with tan spots. Females of this species are paler in color; before spawning, their abdomen becomes very elongated. The head of the female is narrower, wedge-shaped. Thick mature bristles form on the cheeks of an adult matured male; the female does not have them.
Content
Sturisoma panama catfish is a peaceful inhabitant of the aquarium. In the afternoon they lie on snags, stones, soil, begin active behavior in twilight time. There should be several females per male. They can be kept in a common aquarium with small fish. The aquarium should be at least 160 liters. The temperature ideally stays between 24-28 degrees, hardness 4-10. Acidity should not exceed 7.2. It is important to regularly change 25% of the water in the aquarium so that the Panamanian sturisoma feels good. The content is not complicated, but the fish require a strong current, which is created by special devices. Negatively tolerate a large number of ciliates.
What should be in the aquarium
Everything for the aquarium can be purchased in specialized stores. Fish need plants, stone slabs, driftwood. There must also be a mechanical-biological filter to create a strong current.
Nutrition
Mostly, the diet of these fish should include plant food. Live food and artificial in the form of tablets and cereals. Panamanian sturisoma is demanding for cleanliness, therefore, feeding the fish should be in moderation. Since food decomposes, polluting the aquarium. Somics are difficult to tolerate. When the content is sometimes a problem of aging. When they are in the aquarium with other inhabitants, especially with ancitrus, the amount of feed should be increased.
Breeding
Sexual maturity in fish occurs about one and a half to two years. At this age, males are a bit territorial and can attack females, but this does not harm them. If the conditions in the aquarium are uncomfortable for fish, then males up to three years old may experience the resorption of odontodes. Due to inappropriate content, they may not grow back, and their owners think that they have only females. To determine sex as accurately as possible, you should consider the genital papule of mature fish.
Individuals ready for spawning begin to clear the area where the masonry will be. This is done by the male and does not allow the female until the place, in his opinion, is clean enough. As a rule, they choose stone slabs, but also often spawn on aquarium glass, snags. Catfish laying places are chosen with running, oxygenated water. More often vertical sections are selected, but sometimes masonry is done on a horizontal surface.
Egg laying occurs in portions, lasting from thirty minutes to several hours. It happens on different days, and you can see eggs at different stages of development. For one spawning about 200 eggs, which the male fertilizes. After this, the female leaves, and the male monitors the offspring. He directs fresh water to eggs. The incubation time is up to seven days. After biting the larvae, the male ceases to care. So Panurian sturisoma is deduced. Breeding is simple, but requires attention. If desired, using a tube, you can put the larvae in a separate container. After two or three days, they begin to give food: scalded leaves of nettle, dandelion, cabbage, plankton, clam meat.
If a male spawns with more than one female, then there is no need to fear for his health. He can take care of caviar for weeks, but he allows himself to go away and go down for food, however, he does not cease to follow the females. At the slightest hint of an encroachment by them on the offspring returns to the place of masonry.
In order to breed and maintain this type of fish at home, you need to prepare everything for the aquarium. Specialty stores will help you. And then you need to make sure that the Panamanian sturisoma feels comfortable. Recently, these catfish have become in demand, and aquarists have become more interested in them. They attracted people's attention with their peculiar character and unusual shape. Fish do not leave indifferent even those who do not like catfish.
This species is not the most demanding in care, but still it is important to adhere to certain subtleties in the content so that the fish grow well and fully develop.