Amarguillo bitterling (Rhodeus ocellatus)

Parámetros de cuidado

Temperatura

14–26 °C

pH

7–8

Dureza GH

8–20 dGH

Tamaño adulto

5–6 cm

Tanque mínimo

40 L

Capa de nado

Mid-water; short-fin bursts

Dificultad

Moderada

Temperamento

Peaceful; a true community fish

Origen

Eastern & central China — Yangtze and Yellow basins

Descripción de la especie

The rosy bitterling is China's living jewel — a small, deep-bodied carp that depends on freshwater mussels to breed. In the breeding season males flush iridescent rose and violet. In the aquarium it is peaceful, adaptable and fascinating, provided a few mussels or substitute spawning sites are offered.

Biotopo natural

Hábitat

Slow rivers, ponds and lake margins

Corriente

Still to gentle

Oxígeno disuelto

Tolerates low oxygen well

Paisaje y equipo

Sustrato

Fine sand; a mussel bed anchors the biotope

Decoración dura

Leaf litter and empty mussel shells

Plantas

Fine-leaved plants plus open swimming space

Temperamento, dieta y compañeros

Sociabilidad

Keep 6+; males display in groups

Dieta

Omnivore; algae, flakes and small live foods

Compañeros recomendados

• White cloud minnow — Cool-water cousins
• Rosy barb — Similar size, similar water
• Nerite snails — Share the same clean-up niche

Evitar con

• Cichlids — Too aggressive
• Large labyrinth fish — Fin damage
• Crayfish — Will eat them overnight

Cría y notas

Dimorfismo sexual

Breeding males turn rose-violet with longer fins; females stay silver with a deeper belly

Método de cría

Mussel spawner. The female deposits eggs inside a freshwater mussel's gills via a long ovipositor; the male fertilizes them at the siphon — fry emerge after 3–4 weeks.

Preguntas frecuentes