A brilliant beauty, an apistogram of ramirezi and its contents in a home aquarium

Epistogram ramirezi thanks to its elegant body and beautiful fins can become a real decoration of the aquarium. It is not difficult to take care of this fish, therefore it can settle even for those who have never had such experience before. A peace-loving little fish, sparkling like a golden coin, gets along very well with its neighbors and does not harm aquarium plants.

Pedigree

Prior to entering the aquariums, the Ramirezi apistogram was found only in the reservoirs of the Orinoco River Basin . A little later, she got to Indonesia and South-East Asia, where she got quite well. Today, experts have learned to grow it in captivity, which allows these beautiful fish to hit the shelves of almost all pet stores.

A small verbal portrait

The fish has a length of up to 7 cm. Its body is elongated, with a large head. Color yellow with golden tint. On the head and sides there are several large black spots. The fins of her are translucent, gently-peach color with a red border. The first rays of the dorsal fin are coal-black, sticking upward.

Sexual dimorphism

The Ramirezi apistogram, which is a female, has a more saturated color. On the breast of her flaunts a red speck. The black fin rays of the male are usually longer and lush.

Ramistrez's epistogram: content and care

The temperature regime is preferred between 22-26 degrees. Required the presence of fine-grained soil, snags, spreading plants. And it should also be remembered that the apistogram of Ramirez very much does not like the replacement of water, therefore, water can only be changed in very small portions. Otherwise, fish can get sick.

Ramirezi's epistogram: compatibility with other inhabitants

These fish like to stay in the middle and lower layers of the water, so the most suitable neighbors for them are the fish from the upper layers. But this condition is optional, the main thing is that the cohabitants of the apistograms should not be fighters. In one aquarium with them, you can settle zebrafish, anemia, ancestors and mollies, gourami.

Breeding in an aquarium

It is advisable to purchase several fish specimens so that they can form pairs. At this time among the fish are possible non-dangerous symbolic skirmishes. Those who did not find a pair, from the aquarium should be removed. It is desirable to plant future parents in spawning grounds, but not necessarily. In order for spawning to begin, the couple needs the following conditions:

• Shaded cave.
• Raise the water temperature.
• Replacement of a third of fresh water (soft).

The female lays about 120-200 eggs, and the male fertilizes them. Both parents have their responsibilities in caring for the offspring. Kids will hatch after 4-6 days, and in a week they will begin to swim a flock under the protection of their parents. An interesting feature that has only an apistogram of ramirezi: the father and mother "graze" fry, driving them into a flock and bringing them to the ground in case of danger. Experienced aquarists believe that kids recognize their parents visually, focusing on specks.

Feeding

The mouthpiece of the fish is arranged so that it can capture both freely floating food and fallen to the bottom. Feed apistograms can be any live food, as well as substitutes. An important detail: do not treat young parents with daphnia, as they take it for their baby and try to educate.