Labeo green
The green labeo, scientific name Epalzeorhynchos frenatus, belongs to the Cyprinidae family. A beautiful green fish, against which bright red fins stand out. The closest relative of Labeo is bicolor, has similar conditions of detention. A fairly popular aquarium fish, despite the fact that it cannot be bred at home. Supplied from commercial fish farms in Thailand.
Habitat
Distributed in Southeast Asia in the territory of modern Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, but the true size of the population is unknown. The destruction of the natural habitat (the construction of dams, the drainage of swamps) led to a significant reduction in the number of the species, putting it on the verge of extinction. Currently, the trade is represented exclusively by captive-raised fish.
They live in small streams and rivers with a sandy or rocky bottom, during the rainy season they migrate to the flooded forest floor.
Description
An elongated slender body, on the lower lip there is a suction cup with horny plates, which allows you to cut algae and organic plaque from aquarium decoration items. The predominant color is greenish, marsh-colored. The fins are red. There are artificially derived color forms.
Food
In nature, they feed on plant debris and algae, along the way eating small crustaceans, insect larvae and other small living creatures living on plants. At home, it is necessary to provide regular nutrition with live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms in combination with high-quality dry food (granules, flakes), as well as mandatory herbal supplements. Usually they use peas, peeled zucchini or cucumber, spinach, lettuce, pieces of fruit that sink to the bottom of the aquarium, are fixed with a tourniquet / elastic band. Refresh every 2-3 days to prevent rotting.
Maintenance and care
Like any fish living in stable waters, it requires clean water. Weekly renewal of water by 20–25% and cleaning the soil with a siphon from organic waste should become a mandatory procedure. The hydrochemical composition is less important, Labeo green is able to successfully adapt to wide pH and dH values. The recommended set of equipment consists of a productive filter, aerator, heater, lighting system.
Decoration: gravel substrate with several large boulders, shelters in the form of snags, roots and branches of trees. Wooden elements in good light serve as an excellent basis for the growth of algae – an additional natural food. Plants are used any with a powerful root system.
Social behavior
It prefers a solitary lifestyle, the formation of groups is temporary and is associated primarily with spawning. Adult fish become territorial and consequently aggressive. For Labeo green, a species aquarium for one individual is optimal. If several fish are planned, then each should account for at least 200 liters.
Breeding / breeding
Breeding at home is almost impossible. This is done in specialized fish farms on a commercial basis using hormones.
Fish diseases
In favorable conditions, health problems do not arise. Diseases are manifested by deterioration of conditions, poor nutrition or contact with infectious fish. Some hereditary diseases are possible in artificially bred color forms, such as Labeo bicolor albino. Read more about symptoms and treatments in the Aquarium Fish Diseases section.
