Pterygoplicht: recommendations for maintenance, feeding and care
The young are distinguished by the presence of brown andblack spots, as well as a silver tint. In adults, the coloring resembles a net. The brocade catfish is most common in black and brown, but yellow, orange and green fish are also found. Individuals of this species grow quite slowly - to reach a length of 50 cm, it will take about 5 years with an average lifespan of about 10-12 years.
Pterygoplichthys prefers to hide during the day, being active at night. Photo: Getty There are a number of rules that will help ensure comfortable conditions for keeping a pterygoplichthys. Among them:
The owner will have to renew about 50% of the water volume every week, and the aquarium should have powerful cleaning and aeration systems installed to saturate the liquid with oxygen.
Compatibility with various aquarium inhabitants
Compatibility of Pterygoplichthys with other fishin a common aquarium, is possible only if there is enough free space. Males of this species can fight with each other if they were added already in adulthood. In addition, the brocade catfish resists large fish, even in the absence of aggression on their part. Important! Catfish are scavengers, and therefore they can eat the scales of other fish, especially if they are not very active. If several species live in the aquarium at once, it is necessary to check whether the pterygoplicht gets enough food - often it does not keep up with its more active brothers. Catfish are usually active at night, so it is better to feed them with the onset of evening. The slow catfish is distinguished by a calm disposition, although it can start a fight with representatives of its species. The main disadvantage of keeping it is the need to install a spacious aquarium, with a volume of 150 liters, but several species of fish can be settled in it at once. Read also:
