How to grow scalar at home?

It is generally accepted assertion about the benefits of an aquarium in the house: observing the calm and smooth movements of fish in the water has a beneficial effect on the psychological state of a person, has calming properties. All aquarium fish are suitable for the role of "therapists", scalars are no exception in this regard. As a rule, the matter does not end with just contemplation of the water world. Sooner or later, there is a desire to try to remove the fry. Breeding scalars is an incredibly interesting process that will interest many.

General information

Keeping this species of fish in captivity began in 1911. And the first successful experience in breeding offspring took place in Hamburg already in 1914. Then success was accompanied by the aquarist I. Kvankar. A similar result a year later was able to achieve a specialist in the United States W.L. Pollin. How scalars breed, they knew only in Europe: the conditions necessary for spawning remained classified for a long time.

In Russia, for a long period of time, they could not achieve a positive outcome in the reproduction of scalars. At home, the fry were obtained only in 1928. The success was accompanied by a number of amusing accidents: the aquarist A. Smirnov did not turn off the water heater before leaving the house, as a result of which the water temperature in the aquarium reached 32 degrees. This triggered the onset of spawning in mature individuals of the described cichlid species.

In cases of spawning of scalars in a common aquarium, it will be very difficult to preserve the offspring without transplanting eggs.

Now breeding scalars at home is not difficult. The fish often spawn directly in the general aquarium on their own, without creating special external circumstances.

As a rule, there are several separate stages of artificial reproduction, each of which is very important:

• determination of pairs;
• preparation for spawning;
• spawning scalar;
• growing fry.

Determination of pairs

To obtain high-quality and healthy offspring, the producers should also have the same characteristics. Sexual demorphism in scalar fish is weak, which means there are no obvious differences between individuals of different sexes. It is especially difficult to distinguish between female and male in albino species, as well as golden and marbled fish. This is not difficult for standard forms.

Differences between male scalar and female.

Experts point to a number of signs by which differentiation can be made when these aquarium fish reach the age of puberty:

• females are smaller in size, their body has a somewhat "chopped" constitution; single front fins; obtuse genital organ - ovipositor;
• males are distinguished by a larger rounded body, have a fatty bump on the forehead, forked fins in front, a pointed genital organ.

You can breed a scalar when they reach puberty, when they become able to continue the race - at the age of one year.

Observation of the behavior of sexually mature fish is the most effective.This type of cichlid naturally produces pairs. Monogamous in nature, they choose a mate from several options. The scalars formed into a union try to stay close to each other, the male individual shows signs of attention and cares for the female.

To carry out breeding work on the development of new color forms or fixing the traits of interest it is possible to create a tribal tandem artificially... To do this, you need to select the brightest representatives and plant them in a separate spawning aquarium, where they will begin to multiply over time.

After determining the producers and forming a pair, the transition to the next stage of breeding scalar occurs.

Preparing for spawning

Breeding individuals during their life need to provide the most comfortable conditions, feed exclusively with high-quality nutritious food, mainly live or frozen. Since these fish are especially sensitive to temperature, its observance is at the forefront when it comes to the reproduction of scalars. In the aquarium, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 27 degrees.

When using store mixes, be sure to introduce live food into the scalar's diet.

When choosing a particular type of food for fish, which are planned to be bred, one must bear in mind the specifics of the adverse effects of the use of common and affordable dry food. In the case of their constant use, adult scalars are smaller than the standard size, not so intense in color and lose the ability to reproduce - they are sterile.

Individuals of the opposite sex preparing for spawning should be kept in the same container. In the absence of females, the male does not form viable milk (reproductive products).

If all the above requirements are met, spawning-stimulating measures can be taken. To do this, you need to significantly increase the water temperature - by 4-5 degrees (the maximum allowable value is 32 degrees); carry out a regular change of a small part of the water - approximately 10% of the total volume - 4 times a week; reduce its hardness by adding boiled or distilled.

Fish prefer to lay eggs on hard surfaces, so the aquarium should contain large-leaved vegetation or a special measure (plate, cone, bar), which can be made of plastic, wood, baked clay and other materials. In the absence of such a fish can lay on the wall of the aquarium. Then the future livestock will not be able to move to the incubator.

Often, ceramic cones or ordinary flower pots are used to equip a spawning ground for scalars.

It is interesting to note that it is generally accepted that it is necessary to use soft water for spawning and growing scalars. However, practice contradicts this belief. There are many confirmations of the successful experience of breeding the offspring of these fish in hard water.

It is recommended to first transplant the pair into a separate jig, but in general this condition is not mandatory. The scalars are unpretentious and capable of spawning in the general aquarium.

The best option would be if you manage to breed each breeding pair in a separate container.

After choosing a surface for laying eggs, the family begins to fiercely guard the adjacent territory; the abdomen of a pregnant female is rounded. These features of behavior and appearance directly indicate readiness for spawning.

Spawning process

In most cases, this type of cichlid begins to lay eggs (give birth) in the afternoon, towards evening. The whole process takes a very short period of time and lasts a little less than an hour and a half.

The female, almost closely clinging to the surface, spawns in even rows.The male, at this moment, repeats the trajectory of the partner's movement and fertilizes the tightly attached future offspring.

Subject to the immediate collection and transfer of eggs to a separate vessel, scalars are able to spawn every two weeks. In other words, a female's pregnancy lasts no more than 14 days on average.

Scalarians can easily lay eggs in a common aquarium, if possible, move it to a separate container.

If the spawning couple nevertheless laid eggs in a common aquarium, then it is recommended to remove them and place them in a small aquarium. This must be done in order to save the masonry from the encroachments of other inhabitants of the artificial reservoir; there are no guarantees that the spawned parents will wake up the necessary instincts and they will be able to properly protect the clutch. In addition, if the larvae, and then the fry appear in the general aquarium, then it will be almost impossible to preserve them.

To avoid contamination of future fry with fungal diseases, drugs are added to the water of the appropriate action, for example, methylene blue (until the water acquires a clear blue hue) or Sera mycopur (a drop per liter).

It is important to keep in mind that the caviar needs a constant supply of oxygen, so it is placed at a distance of about 2 cm from the aerator so that air bubbles do not fall on it.

To successfully complete the procedure for moving eggs from a common aquarium, the following rule must be observed: the substrate with caviar should not touch the air, even for a split second. Therefore, a glass, cup or container is used, which is immersed in the general aquarium. A surface with caviar is placed there and only then transferred to a previously prepared vessel.

The question of how many eggs a female lays at a time cannot be answered unambiguously. This indicator is very individual and depends on many external and internal factors. It is generally accepted that the average quantity is 750-900 pieces.

Development of eggs and fry

Clean the clutch by removing unfertilized (white) eggs.

In the period before the hatching of the larvae, the whitened unfertilized eggs must be removed from the incubator, otherwise their presence will cause negative consequences for the entire clutch. If the parents take care of the nest, then they independently carry out this process. Otherwise, the procedure must be performed carefully using a needle or fine tweezers.

On days 2-3, larvae are born, which either fall to the bottom of the container, or remain attached with a rope from the egg shell to a hard surface.

On the 4th day, the larvae can already see the head and a small yolk sac through which feeding occurs.

Day 5 is marked by strong elongation of the body, tail shaping and a significant reduction in the size of the nutrient sac.

Only on the 6th day, the larvae turn into fry. By this time, the internal reserves of food are exhausted, the cord breaks off, the fry begin to swim freely.

Depending on the type of scalar, the entire process of transformation of larvae into fry can differ in duration, sometimes reaching 12 days.

It should be remembered that the incubator removes waste and food debris daily in order to avoid an increase in ammonia levels and the death of offspring.

Stages of development of scalar fry from eggs to formed fish.

From about 6 days - from the moment of transition to the fry stage - small scalars need to be fed. Live dust, Artemia nauplii and similar microorganisms are used as food. The frequency of feeding is 5-6 times a day. As the fry grow, variety is added to their diet (daphnia, ciliates and others).

Upon reaching the age of one month, the scalar is gradually transferred to food for adult fish, offering cut tubifex and small bloodworms as food.

An important condition for maintaining the maximum number of specimens is compliance with certain requirements for the density of the aquarium population. For 100 liters of water, the maximum number of monthly / one and a half month old fry is 20 units; in terms of one fish - 4-5 liters.

Reproduction of scalars at home is an amazingly interesting process. The mystery of the emergence of a new life will leave few people indifferent. The pleasure of watching the metamorphoses occurring with transparent eggs will be a strong impression for the observer and will cause a strong desire to repeat it again. Someone, perhaps, these strong emotions will push towards serious breeding work to breed new and unknown forms of scalars.

Related video: "Reproduction of scalars"

An aquarium with fish is very beautiful. Many people want to put at home such a decoration that not only pleases the eye, but also soothes the nervous system. At the same time, I would like to see not just plain unpretentious flocks swimming there, but something interesting and beautiful. One of the fish, simple to keep, but at the same time beautiful and interesting, is the scalar.

General form

The scalar, the reproduction of which is of interest to many aquarists, are members of the cichlid family. Their homeland is the central part of South America. The fish acquired the leaf shape from the fact that they lived in heavily overgrown bodies of water, in which it is difficult to move around with a different body shape. In the aquarium, the scalar grows up to 15 centimeters. Under ideal conditions, it can be about 26 centimeters.

With proper care, these fish live for about 10 years. However, there were cases when scalars died at the age of 20. Such longevity is one of the reasons to choose this particular fish as a pet. And, of course, the life span of an aquarium inhabitant in most cases depends on the owner, on how well and correctly he will take care of his pets.

Care

The long life of the scalar, reproduction, and excellent health depend on many factors. For example, it is very important to maintain a high water temperature - 24-28 degrees. The fish will survive a drop to 18 degrees, but they will not feel very comfortable. The height of the aquarium should be at least 50 centimeters, and its volume should be at least one hundred liters. A smaller container is quite acceptable, but then you should not expect the fish to grow large. pH of water - 6.5-7.4. It is also important to choose the right plants for the aquarium in which the scalars live. Reproduction takes place mostly with the help of plant leaves, so they are extremely important. Underwater leaves and twigs must be placed quite thickly, while leaving free space.

Aquarium equipment

Since it is important for these fish to maintain a high temperature, it is necessary to equip the aquarium with a heater. When choosing, pay attention to the temperature range to which this device can heat water.

In addition, it is necessary to install a compressor, a filter, and a thermometer in order to be able to monitor the temperature. If the aquarium is in the shade, lighting must be installed. It is worth remembering that scalars are rather shy fish, so you should turn on the lighting carefully or not turn it on at all. It is advisable to cover the top of the aquarium (or purchase a container with a lid), since the fish can jump out of the water.

Feeding

Breeding scalars in an aquarium implies, among other things, the need to properly feed them. However, these fish are not too demanding on food. They eat well live food: tubifex, bloodworms and other types of this food. At the same time, they calmly switch to dry food. However, it must be borne in mind that the shape of the body does not allow the scalar to raise food from the bottom. Therefore, it is best to purchase foods that float and sink very slowly.For the proper development of the scalar fish, the reproduction of which depends on its physical condition, it is important not to overfeed it. They are usually fed twice a day. Keep in mind that these creatures do not know when they are full. They can eat much more food than they really need. In this case, the fish will become obese and lose the ability to reproduce. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to arrange a "fasting day" for them once a week. This means that they do not need to be fed on this day at all.

Pair formation

For those who care about the reproduction of scalars at home, it is very important to determine the sex of the available individuals. However, it is rather difficult for scalars to do this. More precisely, before the onset of puberty is completely impossible. The main difference between adults is the dorsal fin. In males, it is more elongated. In addition, the number of transverse stripes on it in males should not be less than 7, and in females not more than 6 pieces.

But even experienced aquarists find it difficult to correctly determine the sex of a scalar. For this reason, it is recommended to acquire either individuals that have already given offspring, or to take an already formed pair. If this is not possible, you need to take a dozen fry with wide and long fins. Among such a flock there will definitely be representatives of both sexes. These fish will form pairs themselves, allowing the owner to decide for himself which one to use in reproduction.

It is not recommended to break up the established pairs, as it is a strong stress, after which the fish may never enter into a "relationship" again. It's easy to recognize a pair - they stick together, the male drives the female into corners, swim everywhere one after the other.

Spawning

It is very important to know that it is necessary to equip a special aquarium for the spawning of scalar fish. Reproduction in a common aquarium is almost impossible for these fish.

It is advisable to feed a couple of producers with live food all their lives. In extreme cases - frozen. Fish fed dry food are often not capable of reproduction, are not large enough, have a pale color.

With proper care, scalars are capable of laying eggs every 14 days. But for this you need to remove the laid eggs.

To stimulate spawning, the water temperature is raised by 2 degrees, and up to 10 percent of the water is changed several times a week. It is advisable to add boiled water with reduced hardness. Aquarium scalar fish, the reproduction of which we are interested in, prefer to lay eggs on plants, therefore, large leaves, pieces of plastic, tiles should be in the container.

Spawning itself most often lasts from 40 to 90 minutes. The female lays eggs on the cleaned surface of the leaf, after which the male fertilizes her. The process is repeated several times; in total, 700-800 eggs can be deposited in one clutch.

Incubator equipment

The scalars, which reproduce practically without human intervention, need help in caring for the fry. The fact is that they are able to take care of the offspring on their own for only a few days. After that, their parental instinct simply falls asleep. After spawning, they take care of the caviar, cleanse it of impurities, and protect it from fish. Sometimes they continue caring until the fry can feed themselves. Unfortunately, this rarely happens. Parents often eat their own eggs just a few hours after spawning. That is why it is best to transfer the eggs to a separate incubator.

It is a small aquarium, 50% filled with water from the one in which the parents are kept. The rest of the volume is distilled water. It is necessary to equip the incubator with a heater that will heat the water up to 30 degrees. An air atomizer is also required. The caviar must be placed in the finished container so that the current from the spray washes over it, but the air does not enter.

To exclude the defeat of the fungus, you need to add methylene blue or special preparations to the water. Duckweed will be useful as a biofilter. In addition, ciliates will breed in these thickets, which are excellent food for fry.

Fry care

After a couple of days, the shells of the eggs break, turning into cords, on which the larvae hang. After 4 days, you can already see the heads and yolk sacs, from which the larvae receive food. They move constantly, trying to free themselves.

After a week or two, the fry are free. Now they need feeding. To do this, it is necessary to prepare in advance live food for the fry: daphnia, ciliates, brine shrimp. You need to feed babies 5-6 times a day. In addition, you need to place a filter in the incubator, closed for safety with a nylon stocking. The density of the fry should be about 2 pieces. per liter of water. If there are more of them, then you need to plant them in another aquarium. Before one feeding, a third of the water is changed, having previously removed the remains of the feed.

After 30-45 days, small scalars acquire a characteristic shape, after which they need to be seated with a density of 4-5 liters of water per fry. Fish of this age are fed with small bloodworms, live food, and cut tubifex. Very soon, you can move the fry to the usual aquarium for this species.

Views

The scalar, the care and reproduction of which is not too easy, have several types. The most common ones are black, gold, white, blue, veil, koi, marble and red.

All these species differ only in appearance, and the content, care, breeding remain the same for everyone.

The scalars are perhaps the most recognizable of the aquarium fish. Their characteristic crescent-like body shape, elegant coloration and relative unpretentiousness make them popular with aquarists of all levels - from beginners to sophisticated professionals. And almost any owner of these wonderful fish sooner or later has a desire to get offspring from them and grow it. The breeding of scalars at home will be discussed in the article.

Determination of sex in scalars and the formation of pairs

Sexual dimorphism in scalars is not expressed, that is, males and females outwardly almost do not differ. Before the onset of puberty, it is impossible to determine the sex, and then it is rather difficult. Aquarists joke about this: "Swam - it means a male, swam - a female." However, in adult scalars, sex can be established in most cases, although this can usually only be done by those who know the anatomy of fish well. Let's try to figure out by what criteria the sex of fish of this genus is determined:

1. In mature males, there is a fatty hump on the forehead;
2. Males have a more convex pectoral keel;
3. If you look at the fish from the front, then the lower part of its body resembles a wedge, and in the male this wedge is sharp, and in the female it is blunt;
4. The diagnostic sign is the genital papilla (in females it is called the ovipositor) - an outgrowth with an opening located between the anus and the anal fin, through which the genital products come out. In females, it is larger and thicker, and in males, accordingly, it is thinner, sharper and directed backward. These differences are especially clearly visible during spawning, as well as before and immediately after it;
5. The distance from the genital papilla to the anal fin is much shorter in males than in females. In fact, in males, the fin keel grows directly from the genital papilla, and since in striped scalars, the papilla is usually located at the base of the central stripe, we can say that in males the anal fin starts from the base of the central stripe, and in females - behind it;

Male scalars differ from females in a more elongated long dorsal fin. In its back there are dark transverse stripes interspersed with gaps.The number of these stripes in females is no more than 6, and in males there are at least 7.

However, sometimes, on these grounds, the sex of the fish cannot be reliably established, especially in artificially bred forms with a marble, golden, albino color. In such cases, they try to determine the sex of the fish by their behavior when they form pairs and start spawning in the general aquarium. But this does not always work: in some cases, in the absence of males, females play their role in mating games and spawning, and same-sex couples even lay eggs (which, of course, remain unfertilized).

Here we can advise the following: if you want to purchase an adult producer fish, choose an individual with characteristic signs and behavior, or a fish that has already given offspring. It is even better if it is a forming pair right away. If you are going to raise breeders on your own, buy 8-10 fry with wide and long fins, among them there will certainly be individuals of both sexes, and in the future they will split into pairs, and you can decide which one to use for further breeding.

The scalars prefer to form pairs on their own, choosing a partner for themselves from several individuals of the opposite sex. But the aquarist may well pick up a pair of existing young individuals. Once in the aquarium alone, a male and a female scalar of a similar age and size, as a rule, begin to "build love". It is not recommended to separate ready-made pairs and select other partners - this is the strongest stress for fish, and they do not always form new alliances. The formed pair is easy to identify: the fish stick together, swim in single file, the male begins to drive the female into the corners of the aquarium.

Growing producers and preparing for spawning

Fish that are planned for further breeding must be kept in optimal conditions. For scalars, the water temperature is of particular importance, which should not be lower than 27 ° C. The second most important factor is the quality of the feed; future producers must eat live food (bloodworms, tubifex, daphnia, etc.) throughout their lives, or frozen food. The scalars grown exclusively on dry food are usually smaller in size, their color is paler, and they are often unable to reproduce.

In good conditions, scalars can spawn every two weeks, provided that the eggs are immediately harvested.

Males and females must be kept together before spawning, since the preparation of males for spawning and the maturation of their reproductive products takes place only if females are present.

They stimulate spawning by raising the water temperature by 2 ° C, by frequent changes (3-4 times a week, 10% each), while it is better to add distilled or boiled water to reduce its hardness in the aquarium. Large-leaved plants should be present in the aquarium, you can also place a piece of plastic or ceramic tiles there, on which the scalars can spawn. Usually fish of this genus are not placed in a separate spawning box, allowing them to spawn in a common aquarium.

A pair ready for breeding can be recognized by the female's rounded abdomen and changed behavior - future parents begin to jealously guard their territory and clean up the surface on which they will spawn.

Spawning

As a rule, spawning takes place in the evening and lasts from 40 minutes to one and a half hours. The female lays eggs on a previously cleaned surface, usually in even rows, the male swims up behind her and fertilizes this eggs, and so several times, in turn. The total number of eggs is 700–800.

Incubator equipment and caviar development

Scalarians, like other cichlids, take care of their offspring, but their parental instinct is not so strong, and this care usually lasts only 2-3 days.After spawning, the producers begin to protect the eggs from other fish in the aquarium, fan the eggs with the pectoral and dorsal fins, pick up the eggs that have fallen from the substrate and eat the whitened ones. In some cases, they take care of the offspring until the moment when they begin to feed on their own. I must say that this concern is very useful for the fry. But, unfortunately, such exemplary behavior is rather an exception to the rule, and usually producers simply eat the eggs a few hours after spawning or at nightfall. Therefore, if you do not want to risk finding out how caring parents your scalars are, it is better to transfer the eggs to a separate aquarium 2-3 hours after spawning.

The caviar incubator is prepared as follows: a small aquarium with a capacity of 5-10 liters is half filled with water from the aquarium where the producers are kept. The other half is topped up with distilled water. A heater, set at a temperature of 30 ° C, and an air atomizer are placed in the incubator, and an hour later the substrate with caviar is lowered there so that the caviar is washed by the current from the atomizer, but air bubbles do not fall on it.

To prevent fungal infection of caviar, methylene blue is added to the water to an intense blue color or Sera mycopur is added at the rate of 1 drop per liter. It is a good idea to place small plants such as duckweed or riccia in the incubator, they will act as a biofilter, preventing a jump in nitrogen levels in the aquarium when the fry start to grow rapidly. In addition, ciliates and rotifers will breed in the thickets, which will then become food for the fry. Lighting should be around the clock. Even if there are no plants in the incubator, you need to leave the night light on at night.

The next day, the whitened eggs are removed.

Fry development and care

After two days, the shells of the eggs break and turn into sticky cords, on which the larvae hang, moving with the help of a tail like a flagellum. Approximately on the fourth day, the heads and yolk sacs can be distinguished in the larvae, due to the reserves of which they feed. The larva is constantly moving, trying to free itself from the cord that attaches it.

After 7–12 days, the ropes break off, the fry begin to swim. By this time, the yolk sac is almost empty, and it is time to start feeding the fry. It is impossible to fully feed them with egg yolk and dry food, so live food is prepared in advance: ciliates, daphnia are bred, and on the 5th day after spawning, they begin to incubate Artemia. The fry are fed 5–6 times a day. Now it is necessary to place a small filter in the aquarium, and so that the fry are not sucked in there, the lower part of it is closed, for example, with a nylon stocking. If there are a lot of fry, some will need to be removed from the aquarium, their density should now be no more than two per liter of water, otherwise the level of ammonia and nitrites may sharply increase. A water change is carried out once a day by a third, before feeding, after removing the remains of feed from the bottom with a siphon.

After about a month or a month and a half, the fry will acquire the shape characteristic of the scalar, after which they will again need to be planted in containers at the rate of 4–5 liters of water per fry. At this age, they are fed with a cut tubifex, small bloodworms, gradual accustoming to live food can begin, and after a short time they can be populated into a common "adult" aquarium.

As you can see, the breeding of scalars is a troublesome, painstaking, but very interesting occupation. Even if not everything works out the first time, there will be a chance to try again, because a pair of healthy fish in good conditions often spawn. And sooner or later, the stubborn aquarist will be able to boast of a flock of bright young scalars, which he raised from eggs. Now all that remains is to find a new home for them, thereby increasing the number of lovers of these amazing fish.

Read about the content of scalars in the next article, and now a short video about the spawning of these fish:

Obtaining offspring is always a responsible and exciting moment in keeping aquarium fish. There are many questions related to the placement of the female or parental pair (leaving in general conditions, replanting in isolated housing, how to distinguish the female scalar from the male), preparation of individuals for the start of spawning (feeding, temperature regime, plants, or a hen). Growing fry also has its own nuances. Now about everything in more detail.

Pairing: natural and artificial

The key to the success of the venture is the health of the producers and how to correctly distinguish the female from the male scalar. The selection of the dad and mom of fish replenishment carries some difficulties. Until puberty, it is almost impossible to determine the difference between an individual to a particular sex, due to the weak expression of dimorphism (not everyone is given to distinguish the sex). A pair is created once for the entire period of its existence.

Natural way

Regular observation of the behavior of adult individuals will yield definite results in selection. If there are several fish in the aquarium, it is possible to notice isolated pairs adhering to a number of individuals. The male seeks to win the full attention of the female, to care for her. This is the sex difference.

Artificial pairing

With the development of breeding features (breeding a new color, types of fins, fixing successful variations obtained), the female scalar is selected with the required pronounced characteristics and moves into a separate container. Further, the choice falls on the male that meets the necessary criteria. The selected unit is transplanted to the previously isolated one. It is important to have time to carry out this operation before attachment naturally arises. After some time, the settlers multiply.

Preparatory moments

There are conditions, adherence to which will help to make the desired result when breeding scalars without any extra effort.

• Good quality nutrition is required throughout the entire life cycle, starting with the fry. Feeding exclusively with dry ingredients is fraught with small size, loss of color intensity, impaired reproductive functions (infertility). The diet must be composed with a predominance of live and frozen food.
• The temperature of the content is the second most important factor for the reproduction of scalars. These aquarium fish are very sensitive to even small changes. Water, represented by the warmth of 27 - 28 degrees, is the most optimal for that. To prepare to breed.
• The joint maintenance of representatives of both sexes contributes to the maturation of milk in males (the formation of working products of the scalar reproduction system does not occur in the absence of females).
• Ideally, placement of all pairs prepared for spawning in separate vessels is encouraged. This measure affects the quantitative value of the brood (underwater neighbors of the general content, and the planned broodstock are able to destroy the brood at the stages of development from eggs to mature mallow).
• When equipping a separate spawning grounds, clay, ceramic, wooden or plastic objects are used in the form of cones, plates and blocks for the surface for placing scalar eggs. This addition is associated with the preferences of the scalar to spawn on hard surfaces. In nature, propagation in a common aquarium is used by broad-leaved underwater plants. In the absence of suitable surfaces, eggs can be deposited on the inside aquarium equipment or on the wall.

Video about preparing an aquarium for breeding.

Compliance with all of the listed conditions allows you to start provoking a couple to spawn:

1. A smooth increase in the temperature indicator of a degree by four, but not higher than + 32 ° C.
2. Eating exclusively with live derivatives (bloodworms, tubifex, daphnia) with an increase in the diet.
3. Water changes by ten percent of the total displacement four times a week, with a decrease in hardness (use after boiling).

As soon as the family decides on the place of laying out, work begins on a thorough cleaning of the selected surface, and the protection of the adjacent surroundings. The female looks noticeably rounded. All this testifies to the imminent beginning of the process of reproduction of scalars in a common aquarium.

Calf throwing

They give birth mostly in the evening hours. Prolonged labor takes up to two hours. A pregnant scalar, smoothly moving along a cleaned plane to the upper edge, lays eggs in a chain, followed by fertilized by a male. The number can reach up to one thousand pieces.From the beginning of the calculation and until the independence of the offspring of adult fish, one should not disturb. Possible provocation of a stressful state, they will stop spawning. There are often cases when they spawn in a joint aquarium with other species (protection from those who like to spoil someone else's caviar takes a large amount of strength along with stress, leading to the legend of their own offspring).

Watch the video of how the scalar laid eggs on the leaves.

By observing the action performed (spawning of scalar), you can accurately determine the reproductive capabilities of producers for the future. Which of the scalar spawned, whether fertilized it, after a couple of days the expediency of the next spawning differs. It should be remembered that the effectiveness of reproduction can be revealed after several unsuccessful attempts.

From eggs to fry

Natural care from the moment when scalars laid eggs and fertilization of eggs is considered parental care. Steamed parents are trying to preserve caviar:

• Provide oxygen inflow by fanning the fins over the eggs, creating mixing of the water layers.
• The spoiled material is carefully selected (it is distinguished by white color). Unfertilized or fungus-infected caviar balls. To prevent fungus, methylene blue is added to the aquarium water.
• When the larvae hatch, they make their own efforts to free those from the supporting shell.

This is not the end of the care of adult fish, it will last until the moment of independent feeding in the fry of the scalar. This happens in a week, one and a half, when the larvae appear. In the future, the producers, if they were reflected, return to their original place. The scalar fish are again ready to reproduce their own kind. In this sequence, you can receive replenishment periodically, with an interval of one to two thirds of a month.

The inherent nuances should be taken into account: even under ideal conditions, the fry die about twenty percent, frequent spawning conditions quickly deplete adults. They need to take breaks. There are situations in which the spawning couple eats the eggs. In such situations, the separation of eggs is used immediately after the end of the spawning time.

Artificial care conditions

When throwing eggs with scalars in an underwater hostel, it is required to remove the used surface (plant leaf, clay pot or plastic strip) with caviar in a separate prepared container. When families are planted in advance for spawning, adults are returned back at the end of the process.

Now all care for the young falls on the shoulders of the owner

A separate vessel (five to fifteen liters capacity) should be prepared as follows:

• Water is taken from a common aquarium and added distilled or boiled in a 50/50 ratio (in percent), with a drug dissolved in it for the prevention of fungal infection.
• A device is installed to maintain the temperature regime (about thirty degrees).
• The aerator is placed so that air bubbles do not fall on the eggs, but at the same time, it is washed with a small current.
• Lighting relies around the clock, without much brightness.
• If possible, small upland plants (duckweed) are placed, serving as a biofilter of natural origin to regulate the level of nitrogen compounds during the growth of fry. In their thickets, ciliates and rotifers will be able to breed for the subsequent feeding of local inhabitants.

A day after moving, spoiled eggs should be removed. After another two days, the larvae get rid of the supporting shell and hatch. Until the seventh day, they remain tied in place by means of a flagellum. Having consumed all the contents of the yolk sac (feeding began immediately after hatching), the larvae grow to the fry stage and master free swimming. From this point on, feeding the fry begins.

Caring for the new generation

First, let's find out how to feed the fry. The first food for scalar fry is live dust (ciliates). Dry food for raising fry is also produced. Their use is not particularly recommended; at this stage of development, live food is preferable, contributing to the formation of a stronger and faster growth and development. The next step is to introduce an artery into the diet.

Achievement of a mobile state by the brood serves as a signal for introducing some amendments.

• A not very powerful filter is installed with an improvement to protect the fry from getting inside (as an option, a nylon stocking is used). Or, frequent changes of boiled water are made.
• A large number of young animals are seated in additional containers. The population density is allowed two units per liter of water space.
• Even the water on the filter should be changed once a day before serving food by one third of the total volume, after cleaning it from the remains of food from the previous meal using a siphon.
• As it grows (after a month and a half), a second operation is performed to seat young individuals. The criteria become stricter, up to 5 liters per head, due to the increase in size and the acquisition of a flattened shape, similar to adult parameters.

Cut bloodworms and tubifex begin to serve as fodder in this period. A little later, the young are launched into the common house.

A scalar is bred with additional costs, both time and material. For all its troublesome and laboriousness, there is a genuine interest in this process. Not always everything works out the first time, success can be delayed. With each new spawning comes an understanding of the correctness and erroneousness of some actions. This is how the experience of breeding scalars at home is laid with the choice of a more successful method. Suitable for a specific owner, and having an individual character of obtaining bright underwater individuals, independently raised from small eggs.

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