Labeo black

Black Labeo, scientific name Labeo chrysophekadion, belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Large fish for large aquariums. Due to its size, it is not a simple temperament and is not recommended for beginner aquarists.

Habitat

In nature, it is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia. It lives in the vast basins of the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers on the territory of modern Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as on the islands of Kalimantan and Java. Inhabits the main deep water channels of the rivers.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium – from 500 liters.
• Temperature – 20-26°C
• Value pH — 6.0–8.0
• Water hardness – soft to medium hard (2-14 dGH)
• Substrate type – any
• Lighting – any
• Brackish water – no
• Water movement – light or moderate
• The size of the fish is 50–60 cm.
• Nutrition – any food with a high content of plant components
• Temperament – territorial quarrelsome species
• Keeping alone in a small aquarium

Description

Adults reach a length of 50–60 cm. The fish look stocky with a raised back and large fins. Coloring monophonic black or dark gray. There is an artificially bred form of albino.

Food

They feed on algae, plants and insect larvae, small crustaceans and other invertebrates. Accordingly, in a home aquarium, it is necessary to feed food rich in protein and plant components. Pieces of cucumbers, zucchini, spinach and other green vegetables and fruits will be a good addition.

Maintenance and care, arrangement of the aquarium

The size of an aquarium for one or two fish should start from a few hundred liters. With a lack of space, it becomes aggressive towards its neighbors in the aquarium. For young fish, it is desirable to provide shelters in the form of caves, grottoes. Adults are unpretentious and can be content with a half-empty tank. The design depends on the imagination of the aquarist.

Any large fish produces a lot of waste. The water purification system should at least consist of a productive external filter. It is mandatory to replace part of the water weekly (50–70% of the volume) with fresh and enhanced aeration.

Behavior and Compatibility

Shows territorial behavior. In confined spaces, behavior can become aggressive. Compatible with species of comparable size, provided they are kept in spacious aquariums.

Breeding / breeding

In their natural habitat, breeding occurs with the onset of the rainy season and is associated with upstream migration of fish. Labeo black spawns in the upper reaches of rivers. The fry that have appeared as the coastal areas are flooded go deeper into the depths, where they find shelter and food.

Breeding in a home aquarium is difficult due to the need to recreate changes in the external environment. Reproduction in commercial fish farms is initiated by hormones.

Fish diseases

Hardy strong fish. Cases of disease are rare if she is in a favorable environment and receives a balanced diet. If conditions worsen, trauma and other negative factors, immunity can weaken, which will lead to infection. For more information on symptoms and treatment methods, see the Aquarium Fish Diseases section.