White Cloud Mountain minnow
Cardinal fish ( Tanichthys albonubes )
The cardinal fish ( Tanichthys albonubes ) is an ornamental fish from the order of carp -like ( Cypriniformes ). It belongs to the carp family (Cyprinidae ) and to the subfamily of danios ( Rasborinae ). He is referred to in German as a cardinal or Kardinälchen. It was introduced in Germany for the first time in 1938, the Aquarium Hamburg and is originally from the south of China.
The specific epithet derives from the Latin albus albonubes, white and nubes, Cloud and from the designated location Baiyun Mountain Mountain ( White Cloud Mountain, White Cloud Mountain ).
Appearance
Cardinals are 2,5 - 3,5 cm. The body is brown -green to gray-green with lighter belly. The males are much darker and more intensely colored than the females. The fins are greenish colored with variable proportions and strong red white and green fin tips. The caudal fin has a conspicuous black spot at the base. The body includes longitudinally a striking luminous band.
The protruding lower jaw is chisel-shaped, the lips are thin, the mouth are no barbels. A lateral line is not present, the number of scales in a lateral longitudinal row of 30-32.
Fins formula: D III / 6, A III/7-8, PI/9-11, VI / 6
Distribution, numbers and hazard
The cardinal fish is endemic in southern China and spread disjoint. The main distribution area is near the Tropic of Cancer ( Tropic of cancer ), north of Guangzhou. It comes in mountain streams of the Mountain Baiyun Mountain ( White Cloud Mountain ), in the area of Huaxian, near Guangzhou in Guangdong Province and Halong in the province of Quang Ninh in Vietnam. The way seemed extinct in the wild, no more copies were found in the wild since 1980. Only in September 2003, a small, isolated population was discovered in a mountain waters north of Guangzhou. More wild population were reported on the island of Hainan and a coastal river which flows into Halong Bay in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. Populations of the species in Hong Kong and Shenzhen are possibly extinct. The cardinal fish is considered rare, but it can be easily overlooked due to its small size.
Propagation is easy in captivity, in the wild, the cardinal fish, however, is not very productive. The species is threatened by the destruction of forests and by soil erosion from irrigation dams, as this natural waters be changed. Another problem is the diversion of watercourses for irrigation of rice fields.
Way of life
In the wild, the cardinal fish inhabits clear, slow-flowing, densely vegetated streams. It feeds on plankton and meiobenthos of the larvae of aquatic insects.
Attitude in the aquarium
Cardinals are grown successfully throughout the world for many years. In addition to the stem form a long-finned fog form exists. Since the animals are frugal, robust and almost everywhere available for little money, they are a very good alternative to the Red Neon ( Paracheirodon axelrodi ) and neon tetra ( Paracheirodon innesi ), when the water is too hard for these tetras. This type has also received the nickname " Arbeiterneon ". Cardinal fish prefer cool temperatures up to 20 degrees and water values of pH 6-8 and < 30 water hardness. While the cardinal fish show a relative insensitivity to variations in water levels, high temperatures cause them problems. When exposed longer a water temperature of about 23 degrees, they tend quickly to disease. Cardinals should not in groups under 10 - not inBecken 12 animals and like all fish are kept under 60 cm in length. Too small pelvis or too many males, the males tend at times to pronounced rank fighting. The type should be socialized with other small and peaceful species. Kardinälchen show itself no aggression towards other fish, except pups that could possibly be considered as feed. You need in addition to the water above values , both heavily vegetated areas in the aquarium as well as free swimming space for their wellbeing. Acceptance of plant and animal foods as well as flake food, feed pellets and any frozen food, which they can cope. Due to the small mouth size are recommended Cyclops and small water fleas. In warm summer months healthy populations can spend the summer even in sufficiently deep ponds. Breeding takes place almost by itself. Even a short-term increase in water temperature can trigger the pairing. The eggs hatch after 36 to 72 hours, the boys only with infusoria or dust feed and then (after 12-14 days ) reared on newly hatched brine shrimp. The animals are free spawners, brood care does not take place. Adult animals make their breeding despite abundant supply of live food occasionally after. With suitable water levels and varied diet, the animals can be up to 9 years old.