Scalar (Pterophyllum scalare) in the aquarium, our advice
The Salary is a beautiful tall and
narrow fish that adorns aquariums with its beauty and elegance. Easy to raise,
he has a herd instinct that forces him to live in groups of at least 5 to 6
individuals. Due to its large size in adulthood, it needs space to swim and
reproduce, so it is not suitable for small bins. What aquarium does he need?
How to feed him? Under what conditions does it breed? Find out everything you
need to know about Salary in this complete folder!
The scalar: who is he?
Scalar (Pterophyllum scalare) is a
freshwater fish of the Cichlidae family, recognizable by its flat, elongated
shape. Originally from the Amazon, it can live for a decade in the wild.
Fish raised to live in an aquarium
have a wide range of colors, from yellow to black, white, striped, golden,
blue, two-colored, etc. Wild specimens are generally silver-gray and black
striped. The shape of the body also changes, with some being longer, others
with a long pointed nose or with fins in the shape of a veil. Its large dorsal
and ventral fins end in a filament that gives the fish an elegant delta-shaped
silhouette.
However, the Scalar has the special
feature of being able to change color temporarily if it feels stressed or
threatened. For example, it can remove its scratches for a few moments.
Scalar is robust and easy to raise in
an aquarium. However, it needs space, as it can reach 18 to 20 cm high and 12
to 15 cm long when it reaches adulthood. Being gregarious and loving to move on
a bench, he needs to live in a group. Therefore, plan to adopt at least 5-6
individuals in an aquarium of at least 350-400 liters.
The price of a scalar varies between
5 and 25 euros depending on the size and beauty of the fish and the place of
purchase, in a pet store or at a breeder.
In the young scalar, it is not
possible to distinguish the male from the female, because their shape is
similar. When the male seeks to reproduce, he is identifiable, as his sexual
organ is then visible and pointed forward; the females are more rounded and
rearwardly oriented.
How to raise the scalar in an aquarium?
A large and well-balanced aquarium
The scalar lives in groups and needs
space because of its large size. Therefore, count at least 350 to 400 liters
for five to six individuals. To swim at will, the scalar needs a minimum water
height of 60 cm and a trough length of at least 1,50 meters for a width of 40
cm.
If you keep your scalars in too small
a bin, they will not be able to grow and will be affected by dwarfism, which is
extremely painful for fish. The bone compresses and the body stops growing, but
the organs continue to develop, causing compression of the fish and internal
bleeding. Even if they do not die right away, the fish very easily get sick
and/or develop malformations sometimes severe. Some are aggressive or very shy,
stressed, hyperactive or immobile. These animals die young and live daily in
great suffering. So make sure you bring them a good comfort with a well-sized
tub or look at other species.
Maintain a slightly acidic pH, i.e.,
below 6.8 or even 8, and a soft to very soft water, with a high below 8.
Ideally, the temperature should be between 25 and 28°C. Ensure water quality,
including nitrites; too much of it compromises the survival of the animals.
Decorate the tray with large plants,
as they are appreciated by scalars. However, leave room for them to swim and
avoid high decorative objects. If you want to use them, do not abuse them and
leave space between them so that the fish can evolve without difficulty or
danger. Always select them as non-sharp and non-sharp to avoid injury.
It is essential to ensure the good
quality of the tank and water and its filtration. Scalars need good living
conditions so you can keep them for up to 15 years. The slightest imbalance or
a high level of stress due to the presence of predators results in illness and
premature death!
A varied and balanced diet
The scalar needs a complete and
varied, well-balanced diet. You will find ready-to-eat mixes in pet shops or
specialized brands. They also appreciate live, frozen, or freeze-dried food.
Know that the scalar is omnivorous;
so it needs plants and meat (mud worms and artemia). Naturally, hunters, it can
feed on some small fish living in your aquaria such as Neon, Guppy, or even
small shrimp. Be vigilant!
Cohabitation with other species
Always keep a minimum of 5-6
individuals in the bin to meet the scalar's gregarious need. Otherwise, your
fish will die. In addition, this number allows for a better distribution of the
potential aggressiveness of dominant individuals.
Don't be surprised to see couples
forming. They may isolate themselves from the group and tend to remain
faithful, although this is not a generality.
Avoid placing them in an aquarium
with very sharp fish, which can be stressful, and greedy, as their fins can be
eaten. It is not recommended to support the scalars with other fish of the
Cichlid family, except the Discus, with whom they get along well and who also
enjoy living in a group.
The reproduction of the scalar
If you want to reproduce scalars, you
can isolate a couple in a 200-liter tank. The scalar breeds well, even in the
aquarium among other species, but eggs will usually be eaten before hatching,
both by other fish and my parents if they feel stressed. It is, therefore,
preferable to isolate them to enjoy better conditions. In addition, males are
very aggressive during spawning and may attack other fish in the aquarium.
The couple fights before breeding,
with the male trying to stimulate the female. Don't worry, injuries are
extremely rare.
The female deposits the eggs that
attach to the surface of the vegetation, in a nesting area, or on cone support.
The area will have been thoroughly cleaned beforehand by the male and female
together. The male then immediately fertilizes them. Both parents keep the eggs
during brooding and protect their offspring. However, some couples need to lay
several eggs to learn how to care for their young.
Unfertilized eggs are white. Parents
tend to pull them out. The larvae form in a few days and the pair release them
by chewing their support. They remain attached for 5 to 7 days before swimming
and feeding on their own.
When small scalars are born, they
carry seven dark vertical bars that will fade over the weeks. As adults, only
four remain visible. Feed the fry with artemia and ensure that the filtration
system is adequate to maintain good water quality without sucking the
offspring.