Scalar (fish)

The scalar ( Pterophyllum scalare ) is a Poisson of the family of the cichlidés . Large, majestic and equipped with a strong character, it makes party of favorite fish in aquariophilie. However its maintenance is very often known little about and its needs are seldom taken into account. This territorial fish must be maintained in group in consequent volumes what returns it of a mean level (to be acquired with a certain experiment aquarist).

Origin

Originating in South America, he lives in the central basin of the Amazon and his affluents.

Description and dimorphism

A Scalar in good health can measure approximately 15 cm in length and 18 to 19 cm in height at the adulthood. One appreciates much out of aquarium black the tails varieties in veil, fume, the albinos, the xanthoric, silver plated, gilded, orange forms and other marbled varieties. It is much easier to find these varieties than the wild form however much more satisfactory and natural. Originating in the Amazon river, the wild form of pterophyllum scalare presents eyes orange red, with broad well delimited black marblings. It is a little more resistant than the other forms obtained by genetic selection. By move away from the wild owner, forms selected in addition to not having anything to see physically with the traditional Scalar, " normal" , in extreme cases of are often degenerated. Indeed it is not rare to fall on Scalars equipped with a non-existent nature, one can find problems at the time of the layings and the care to alevins, an increased brittleness and a less life expectancy. A Scalar in good health saw at least 7 to 8 years, sometimes up to 10 even 15 years. For sexer the Scalars, it should be waited until they are in age to reproduce. At the time of the abrasion, the sexual organs are visible, the identification is thus easy. The body of the female is round and directed backwards, the body of the male pointed and is directed forwards. It could be that the old males develop a bump on the top of the head but this information is to be confirmed.

Behavior, maintenance and ideal aquarium

Behavior

The scalar is a territorial fish founding a hierarchy, 6 individuals being a minimum. When the fish is adult, of the couples are formed spontaneously but there remains a fish having to live in group. Maintenance in couple remains very discussed. It temporarily seems possible on the condition of being able to give the couple in the presence of other Scalars. Fidelity with life of the Scalars is not always a reality and it is not rare to see couples " divorcer" or to lay too much regularly (exhaustion of the female). And often, a couple of Scalars is found in too small volumes (200 liters, sometimes less) what involves sometimes a bad growth or aberrant behaviors.

Maintenance

The scalars must be maintained in a water ranging between 25 and 30°C (26°C for the reproduction), with a pH from 6,5 to 7,5 and with a hardness of 4°d GH to 15°d GH. The scalar is very sensitive to water quality (a too large quantity of nitrites involves a deterioration of the fins). The variations of the parameters of water are to be avoided at all costs!

Ideal aquarium

A large vat of at least 150 cm of length and 60 cm height (approximately 450 liters) is necessary to maintain them without problem in captivity. Being given its size, a group of more than 6 individuals will have to be maintained in vats higher than 600 liters. The aquarium must be rather well planted but must have a free space on the front for the stroke of these large fish. They should not be placed in the presence of fish at the buckled or coloured fins the such guppies (Poecilia reticulata), which then become easy preys for the scalars. The all small fish measuring 4cm and less can be devoured by an adult Scalar. Not either not to make cohabit with fish too aggressive or being able to attack the veils (Puntius tetrazona for example).

Reproduction

At the time of the layings, the parents become very aggressive and drive out all the fish which pass near eggs. The reproduction is possible with a pH of 6,5-7 and one GH of 6°d.

The formed couple tends to brawl before the laying, the male trying to stimulate the female to be laid. Then the partners clean a support (sheet, wall of the filter, glaze). The female passes then on the sheet by depositing there its eggs, the male following it of near to fertilize them. The laying can last 2:00.

Good parents will defend and supervise eggs (several layings are necessary so that they learn how to be occupied some). The not fertilized eggs bleach, the parents remove them. At the end of a few days, the larvae appear always hung to the support. The parents machouillent them carefully to release them.

Then it is the freestyle, the parents, attentive, recover alevins mislaid to give them in the perimeter of laying.

To nourish alevins with nauplies of artemia. It is necessary to leave the parents from time to time ocupper their layings. If one wants to raise the small ones, to take the sheet containing eggs or to remove them delicately support.

To put in an aquarium of 50 liters MINIMUM, with a filter protected not to aspire alevins. To withdraw white eggs and the addition of a little blue of metylhene will prevent eggs from mildewing. Once the arrived freestyle, to nourish them with nauplies of artemias several times per day. Syphonner regularly and to make small frequent water changes. Once alevins reaching the size of 3 with 4cm, to pass them in an aquarium from 100 to 120 liters minimum for a successful growth.

Food

The scalars are omnivorous and thus eat of all, however it is advised to vary their food and to provide them alive food (larvae of Chironomus , of Tubifex , Artémie S ). They accept the flakes well but prefers in addition to the alive one frozen, freeze-dried…

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