What does “cleaner” fish look like and what “professions” does it have. Somik Cleaner Why are some fish called cleaners

Who benefits in the aquarium?

Every aquarist, sooner or later, but such a question arises.
  First, we get unpretentious fish, simple in maintenance. Gradually we are interested in more complex fish, more interesting and rare. Often, we choose fish according to the beauty of color, shape, behavior.
  But, the moment comes when we are looking for useful fish, albeit not so bright and interesting in behavior, but which make it easier for us to take care of our aquarium world, who clean the aquarium, are its orderlies and bring absolute benefit!

I also have such a moment. And I’m interested in not only healthy fish, but also healthy shrimp and shellfish. In my three aquariums with different parameters and populations, different types of algae live beautifully. Namely, the struggle with algae, without the use of aquarium chemistry, prompted me to this search.

I propose not to evaluate the degree of usefulness of certain inhabitants, but simply to create a list of hydrobionts that bring clear benefits in a freshwater aquarium.
  I think this list can be replenished with your help.

A lot has been written about these fish, practically, each aquarist has representatives of these species. Their benefits have long been tested and proven!

Seaweed Shrimp

These wonderful creatures have recently become increasingly popular with aquarists. Our forum users, too, appreciated the contribution of shrimp to the fight for the cleanliness of the aquarium. In confirmation of this, a number of articles about shrimp appeared on our website.

Cleaners of our aquariums, which are, without exception, all shrimp, eating up particles of food, microscopic organisms, rotten leaves of aquarium plants.

Algae-eater snails and orderlies

Immediately from the main! Watch an interesting video about theodoxus - just awesome cleaners, 100% work!

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  Some aquarists call it a tiger snail. They say that it is impossible to find two snails with the same shell ornament. The homeland of these snails is hot Africa.
  The temperature of the content is 25-27 degrees Celsius, pH from 7.
The lid of the aquarium should be tightly closed, as shoots of snails from the aquarium happen. For a short time, this snail can live on land. Frequent attempts to leave the aquarium may indicate that the zebra does not like the parameters of the water. Zebras live in the aquarium for about 4-5 years, the size of the shell grows to 2-2.5 cm. In the aquarium, this snail does not breed.

Snail Neretina "Hedgehog" "Neritina juttingae"

The shell of this snail is decorated with spiral ribs and spikes. The size of the snail is 2-2.5 cm. The life expectancy in the aquarium is about 4 years. The optimum water temperature is 25-28 degrees, pH above 6.5.

Snail Neretina "Black Ear"

The conditions of detention, the dimensions are similar to the previous instance, the lower temperature threshold can be 22 degrees.
  All Neretins are excellent aquarium cleaners, tirelessly clean stela, large-leaved plants, stones, driftwood and decor from algal fouling. Moreover, absolutely do not damage aquarium plants. The only drawback of these snails is the laying of caviar on the glass of the aquarium.

I also want to dwell on a tiny snail -
  Horned Snail Neritina Clithon

These snails have a fairly wide habitat of Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Indonesia.
  The photo shows that the color options for horned snails are many. A common feature is the presence of small horns on the shell of snails.
  Life expectancy in the aquarium is up to 5 years. The size of the snail is only 1-1.5 cm. But its capabilities have earned the love of aquarists: snails can climb into even the most inaccessible places, cleaning them to shine.
  According to the reviews of aquarists: a horned snail perfectly cleans diamonds algae from leaves of anubias, glass, stones, decorations.
  Water temperature should not be lower than 24 ° C, pH 7-8. Recommended for 100 liters of 10-15 pieces.
  Like all nerethines, the horned snail does not breed in fresh water.
  This video, in accelerated playback, shows how a tiny horned snail successfully copes with algae.

Porcelain Septaria (Septaria porcellana)

This extremely slow snail is also called the tortoise snail. It belongs to the family Neritidae.
  Other names for Septaria porcellana are Green Turtle Snail, Cellana toreuma, Neritia Crepidularia, Bourbon Nerite.
  Sizes of porcelain septaria from 1.5 to 3 cm. Containment conditions: temperature 22-26, pH from 6 to 7.5. Filtration, aeration, water changes are mandatory. The lifetime in the aquarium in the presence of food (algal fouling) is about 2 years.
This wonderful snail was first discovered in 1758. The homeland of a snail is Indonesia and the Philippines.
  In addition to its slowness, this snail is also distinguished by the unusual shape of the shell - a flat shape. Snails are heterogeneous, but reproduce only in brackish water, therefore reproduction of Septaria porcelain is not possible in a fresh aquarium.
  The snail firmly sticks with its foot to the surfaces. In no case should you try to tear it off, thereby you can tear out the snail's leg, which will lead to its death. With rotational movements, extremely carefully, you can try to peel the snail from the glass.
  Like the previous types of neretins, porcelain Septaria is also an aquarium orderly and feeds on algal fouling. Perfectly cleans the aquarium of algae, including flip flops. Does not damage plants. Getting along with all the peaceful fish and shrimp. Precautions should be kept with tetradonts, crayfish, and other predators. I saw these snails in the cichlid. They felt great, and the glass shone from cleanliness.
Attention:
  - without algae, a snail can die of hunger!
  - the snail is not able to move on sandy soil!
  Here are the rave reviews from the lucky owners of these little things:
  “This crumb in an hour has already taken two bunches of flip flops, and is clearly not going to stop,” “She is not able to move on sand. Crawls perfectly on the ground 1-2mm! Trying to climb some plants with low and wide leaves. From the glass easily climbs on leaning driftwood. Still - along the glass it is buried in the sand, where algae sit between the sand and glass, and joyfully eats them out of there. I need another septarium, "" in a week, in a quarantine, we cleaned a jar of 30 l from greenery, the glass is already shiny, they are waiting for an aqua that has been overgrown with impossibility, excellent ulitos.

The Septaria also hangs its eggs on the scenery

And these mollusks really interested me !!
  And it all started, here with this photo:

In two aquariums, water was poured from the same reservoir, but freshwater mussels, which are living filters, were put in the second aquarium!
  They perform the same function in aquariums.

Snail Corbicula javanese (Corbicula javanicus)
  or ball javanese yellow or golden bivalve

R one of these mollusks: China, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Asian countries.
  The optimal parameters for the content: temperature 15-30 ° C, pH 6.4-8.5, gH 10-24.
Not demanding on the quality of the water in the aquarium, but there should be good oxygen saturation of the water, which means that aeration in the aquarium is mandatory. Water changes and the presence of filtration in the aquarium are also needed. Corbicules grow up to 3 cm in size. Life expectancy: 4 - 7 years
  The recommended soil is sand of a fraction of 1-3 mm, the corbicula dig into it almost entirely. The soil layer should be at least 2-3 cm.
  Corbicules are excellent helpers in an aquarium against turbidity of water, as they are filtrators.
  Passing water through themselves, they feed on the microorganisms contained in it.
  According to various sources: someone recommends containing one corbicule per 100 liter aquarium. There is information about the content in 20 liters of two, or even three individuals.
  Such mollusks are recommended to be kept in spawning grounds, where the need for clean water is especially important. Corbicula passes through itself 5 liters of aquarium water per hour!
  In the aquariums where these mollusks live, the water is always crystal clear, does not bloom and does not have suspension and turbidity!

An interesting fact is that in aquariums that contain corbicules, ichthyophorosis does not occur, according to aquarists, the corbicula detain ichthyophthirius cysts that swim in free flight.
  It is possible to contain corbiculum with all peaceful fish and shrimp.
  Corbicules are hermaphrodites, there are no problems with reproduction in the aquarium. The corbicules are viviparous, reproduce tiny, barely visible with the naked eye snails. In the aquarium, newborn corbicules look like a cloudy cloud, then sink to the bottom, where they continue to grow and develop.
  If plants with a weak root system grow in your aquarium, then the corbicula, plowing the soil, can easily dig them up.

Aquarium is a wonderful decoration of our house and an interesting hobby for its owner. When we think about starting this wonderful underwater world at home, our fears, first of all, concern that it will be very difficult to maintain in such a way that it always remains clean and beautiful ...

As the proverb says, “you can’t easily take out fish from the pond ...”, the aquarium needs your care (feeding the fish, changing the water and controlling its quality, cleaning glasses and decorations, caring for plants, etc.), but in a properly launched and balanced an aquarium with regulated lighting, it will not take you much time. If you are ready to spend about forty minutes a week on the aquarium (not counting the time to feed the fish), this will be enough.

Everyone knows the problem that over time, algae develop in the aquarium, which significantly spoil its appearance. Usually they are a brown or dark green coating covering the walls of the aquarium, soil, stones and aquarium plants. Also, algae can be in the form of dark or light green threads, tassels, fringe, formed in the same places. If you are a beginner aquarist, then when such “jewelry” appears in your aquarium, you should consult a specialist, because some types of algae are destroyed only with the help of chemicals. But in most cases, cleaning fish or aquatic eater help well in the fight against overgrowing of the aquarium.

Let us dwell on them in more detail:

There are several dozen species of various algae-eating fish, including a large number of catfish, some species from the family of cyprinids and other herbivorous species.

Blackmolliesia Poecilia sphenops   , belonging to the family of viviparous fish, perfectly destroys green filamentous algae (filament). This fish feels good in aquariums with dense vegetation and plenty of free space. It should be remembered that it can not only destroy algae, but with a shortage of vegetarian feed, eat the shoots of young plants.

For beginner aquarists often recommend catfish corridors (genus   Corydoras)   . This variety of armored catfish is compatible with any peaceful tropical fish, but in a poorly balanced aquarium it can stir up water and eat around the rest of the fish. These fish are more suitable for settling in an aquarium, decorated in the style of a rainforest pond.

Girinohale Siamese Gyrinocheilus aymonieri   - a cute, very mobile fish, which has recently gained great popularity as an indomitable fighter with algae. Fits perfectly into the ichthy community of any warm-water aquarium with civilians. It cleans stones and driftwood well. Young individuals are peaceable, carefully clean algae, old ones are more aggressive and periodically arrange intraspecific skirmishes with a shortage of space. May suck and damage the skin of other fish. It is advisable to keep in aquariums with well aerated water and low light.

Antsistrus ordinary Ancistrus cirrhosus - One of the most popular catfish in decorative aquariums. A typical inhabitant of the bottom layers of water, unpretentious, activated with the onset of twilight, compatible with almost any tropical fish. It cleans well the walls of the aquarium, stones, driftwood in aquariums with a large amount of vegetation, in rare cases it can change its food cravings and spoil the leaves of aquarium plants, as well as the girinohale and pterigoplicht.

Pterygoplychitis   perfectly polish stones and driftwood, feed not only on aquatic vegetation, but also on wood. They need to be given special food for chain catfish so that if they do not grab algae, they will not destroy the leaves of your aquarium plants. Compatible with large tropical fish that live in the middle and upper layers of the water. They are territorial, they don’t like competitors claiming to the bottom territory. Pterygoplychitis grow to large sizes, so it makes sense to settle them in large aquariums. It is worth considering that their excrement, which in the usual case serves as a good fertilizer for plants, in large quantities can be harmful to fish living in the aquarium. Large pterygoplychitis and panaks should not be kept together, because they will arrange fights.

Panak (genus )   , especially the Panak royal Panaque nigrolineatus grows to large sizes, so it will feel comfortable in a large tank (one individual per aquarium from 200 liters) This is a woody and herbivorous species, it cleans driftwood well. In youth they are distinguished by a calm disposition, but with age they become more territorial. Neighbors should be chosen carefully - active and aggressive fish can eat their long fins. The best neighbors are peaceful haracin.

Crosshale (Epalzeorinch) Siamese   - A moderately large carp fish that has gained popularity as a tireless fighter with algae. It well destroys the so-called “flip flops” (dark tassels on plant leaves, stones, etc.) and green algae. Peaceful in relation to proportional neighbors, mobile, active in the daytime. Does not require large volumes for maintenance, is content with modest care. It perfectly exempts not only plants from algae deposits, but also any other aquarium interior items. With a shortage of space and food supply, it conflicts with relatives, such as Labe.

Labeo Labeo bicolor   and - large, dynamic, bright fish. A good candidate for settling into a spacious aquarium with inhabitants of similar sizes and habits. The bully in relation to individuals of their own species, territorial.

Ototsinklus Otocinclus vittatus, Otocinclus sp.   "negros"   - dwarf catfish-algae-eater, belongs to the family of chain-mail catfish. Able to get along in an aquarium with large predatory fish. It perfectly destroys brown-brown diatoms, so 4-6 fish are able to keep the aquarium clean 100 l. It is popular due to its unpretentiousness, peacefulness, contrasting color. A typical inhabitant of the bottom layers of water. It is activated with the onset of dusk, compatible with any peaceful tropical fish. Works great in an aquarium in conjunction with an epalceorinch.

Japanese pond shrimp, or Amano shrimp   they can also act as fighters with algae, but for effective work a large number of shrimp is needed (about 1 pc. for every 1-2 liters of volume). Cladophores or velveteen balls of Cladophora aegagrophila, which are very quickly contaminated, collect all the smallest dirt in the aquarium perfectly clean balls. Amano shrimp coexists well with otocynclus, but they should not be kept in an aquarium with large fish.

In aquariums where predators can attack shrimp and otocincluses, it is better to use epalceorins, girinohejls, ancistruses and pterygoplychitis.

Here are just a few representatives of aquarium orderlies, as in one article, it is very difficult to describe in detail these wonderful aquarist assistants. It is important to remember that the acquisition of such fish will not completely solve the problem of algae control, as the successful existence of an aquarium biosystem largely depends on the person. It is very important to correctly select and adjust equipment and lighting, properly launch the aquarium and regularly monitor the parameters of the water and the condition of its inhabitants. If the plants in your aquarium feel comfortable, and the fish are fed on time and do not overeat, the orderlies will easily cope with minor algae growths.

  Privedentseva Alexandra

Suffering from external enemies know very well where they will be sanitized and sail to the sanitation sites in whole flocks. Fishes substitute orderlies for the most affected areas of the body, and those treating ulcers and wounds touch the patient's body with their fins. At the same time, the patient learns where the cleaner is located and seeks to create the most favorable working conditions for him, as forex brokers do for their clients. Dark unicorns even change their color to a lighter one, so that the orderlies on a light background better see their enemies.

Although the cleaners cannot make money for their labor, the benefits of such an alliance are mutual. Doctors get all the food on the affected bodies, and the fish get rid of the foci of disease and infection. In six hours of diligent work, the cleaner can serve more than three hundred patients. And stingrays and sharks even have to be processed on the go, because they cannot freeze in place.

Cleaners are almost without work, as well as successful forex traders. To attract a client, they perform a ritual dance, which no fish can resist. She stands upright, like a parrot fish, or freezes her head down like a mullet, spreading her fins and opening her mouth, allowing the little orderlies to fearlessly examine the most inaccessible areas.

Comes from South America from the territory of Peru. It is found in the Ukayali river basins (lower reaches) and Maranyon up to the mouth. They live in the main channel of rivers and their tributaries, prefer areas with a slow course. They are kept near the coast among dense aquatic vegetation.

Brief information:

• The volume of the aquarium is from 40 liters.
• Temperature - 21–25 ° C
• PH value - 6.0–7.5
• Water hardness - soft (2–10 dGH)
• Type of substrate - any
• Lighting - moderate
• Brackish water - no
• Water movement is weak
• The size of the fish is about 4 cm.
• Nutrition - only plant foods
• Temperament - Peaceful
• The content in the group of at least 6-8 individuals

Description

Adult females reach a length of about 4.5 cm, males are slightly smaller and rarely exceed 3.5 cm. Otherwise, sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed; therefore, it is very difficult to determine the sex of fish in a different age group. They can be approximately equal. The color is silver with a large dark pattern. The fins and tail are translucent with black strokes.

Nutrition

Somik Cleaner is an exceptional vegetarian. It feeds on plant foods. In the aquarium, he can be offered slices of vegetables (spinach, zucchini, cucumber, etc.) or special food based on dried seaweed in the form of sinking flakes or granules. In addition, catfish will eat algae growing on glass, plant leaves and decoration, thereby cleaning their surface. Safe for most ornamental aquatic plants.

Maintenance and care, design of the aquarium

The minimum size of the aquarium for a group of 6-8 fish starts at 40 liters. The design should include many shelters, for example, in the form of snags and other decorative elements, as well as areas with dense vegetation. Natural wood objects (roots, branches) will serve not only as a natural decoration, but also as the basis for the growth of algae - an additional source of food.
  The rest is very unpretentious appearance, provided that it is kept in stable water conditions and regular maintenance of the aquarium (water change and removal of organic waste).

Behavior and Compatibility

Calm peaceful fish, compatible with other non-aggressive species of a similar size. Larger and overly active neighbors will be bad company for such a modest Somik. Preferably, the content in the group is at least 6-8 individuals.

Fish disease

The main reason for most diseases is inappropriate conditions and poor quality food. If the first symptoms are detected, you should check the water parameters and the presence of high concentrations of hazardous substances (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, etc.), if necessary, bring the indicators back to normal and only then proceed with treatment. For more information on symptoms and treatment, see “

Soma - suction cups due to its exotic appearance and ease of maintenance are very popular among lovers of aquarists. These catfish belong to the family of chain mail (loricaria) are able to reach a very impressive size, even if kept in captivity. But at the same time, these bright and unusual fish do not pose any serious danger to other inhabitants of the aquarium.

The thing is the special structure of their mouth, which nature has ideally adapted for scraping algae from the leaves of aquatic plants or stones, and in aquariums - glass and various decorative elements. To say that catfish are vegetarians is hardly possible. When stuck in an aquarium, stickies will not refuse animal food.

Quick jump on the article

Features of catfish - suction cups

These fish, despite the large number of common features in the structure of the body, can vary significantly in size. The maximum length of some species is only a few centimeters, while the sizes of others can exceed half a meter.

The mouth of the sticking has a special structure. In essence, the mouth of the fish of this family is a suction cup, equipped with a kind of "grater" that allows you to scrape off algae from various surfaces. At the same time, the head is quite large, and the muscles of the jaws are very well developed. Each catfish of this family has a very dense scale on its body, which makes up the so-called “chain mail” No wonder the second name of the family is chain catfish. As an additional defense against aggression, many chain mails on gills developed quite impressive spikes.

Catfish of this group are distinguished by a flattened body, streamlined back. Fish have a flat abdomen and very strongly developed pectoral fins. They allow Lorikarevs to quickly move in rivers even with a very fast current. At the same time, aquarium catfish of most species do not need to simulate a strong current, which greatly facilitates the task of creating a comfortable living environment for them. We can say that catfish with the help of powerful pectoral fins are able to plan in powerful streams of water. The caudal and dorsal fins are mostly used when moving directly along the bottom of the reservoir. It is worth noting that aquarium fish in the absence of a strong current use their sufficiently powerful tail to move in the water column.

Aquarium chain catfish, like representatives of other catfish families, lead a bottom lifestyle. The presence of a sufficient number of water plants, a suitable type of soil, driftwood and other various shelters are necessary for these fish for a comfortable life and well-being. These catfish tend to lead a nocturnal or twilight lifestyle. Almost all of them prefer pure water with sufficient filtration and aeration. It is difficult to talk more specifically about the conditions of keeping these catfish in captivity, because each species has its own characteristics and preferences. The most common in captivity catfish of this family: Antsistrus, otocinclus, glyptopericht, sturisoma.

Antsistrus

The birthplace of Antsistrus is the central and northern parts of the South American continent. Its maintenance is not very difficult even for beginner aquarists. At the same time, catfish has a very unusual appearance. In addition to simple ancistrus, aquarists are also interested in stellate and black (dark) ancistruses. There are albino and veil forms. Catfish grown in the wild can reach 15 cm in length. Aquarium individuals are noticeably smaller. To maintain it, you need an aquarium of 80 liters.

When purchasing ancistrus, it is worth remembering that these fish love clean and reasonably oxygenated water. They will also like the flow in the aquarium. However, its lack of discomfort in fish does not cause. The optimum water temperature is 22 - 26 ° C. But they painlessly tolerate a short-term decrease or increase in temperature.

Antsistruses feed on fouling from almost all surfaces of the aquarium. And so many aquarists keep them as a kind of cleaner. But of course, their diet should also include complete food for sucker fish. It is possible to diversify their diet and some vegetables and herbs. Salad, pumpkin, cabbage, cucumber are quite suitable. It is important not to forget to remove the remnants of such food from the water in a timely manner. Otherwise, for the ecological balance in the aquarium, this may be too much of a challenge.

Ototsinklus

Homeland of Ototsinklusov Southeast Brazil. This is a fairly small fish, no more than 5 cm long. Ototsinklusy live in flocks and are quite undemanding to the conditions of detention. There are about 20 species of these fish. Particularly popular among aquarists are: Arnoldi, affinis, macropilus, negros, and some. Catfish have an elongated body, the color of the back is dark, the abdomen is light. The color of the fins is transparent. Like any other catfish, otocinclus have a mustache.
Look at otocinclus at work.

These creatures are very peaceful. So it’s easy to get along with any non-aggressive neighbors. Pure water is very important for otocinclus fish. A heavily overgrown aquarium is their element. Eating a variety of fouling, they greatly contribute to the cleaning of the aquarium. For many enthusiasts, aquarium otocinclus is the best and safest way for other fish to fight unwanted algae.

Despite the fact that the main feed of otocinclus is water fouling, it is sometimes worth feeding and pampering it with the most ordinary vegetables. For example, zucchini and cucumber is a good treat for this purpose.

Gliptopericht

Glyptopericht brocade in the wild is found only in the South American Amazon. This is a fairly large fish, which is capable of growing up to 60 cm. The catfish gliptopericht in suitable conditions may well live more than 10 years.

The mouth of the glyptopericht is so developed that it is extremely difficult to tear the fish from a smooth surface without damaging it. Antennae small, slightly thickened at the base located at the mouth. Males are brighter and more slender. Their pectoral fins are equipped with spikes.

Look at a couple of glottoperichtas.

The diet of glyptopericht consists of 60% of vegetable feed. The remaining 40% is animal feed. It has a nocturnal lifestyle, therefore it is better to feed it in the evening. The most balanced food is special tablets for large bottom fish.

Sturisoma

Panama Sturisoma is one of the most prominent representatives of the Loricari family. This unusual catfish lives in nature in the waters of Colombia and Panama. The body of the fish is low. It is noticeably compressed from top to bottom and elongated in length. The head is equipped with a small outgrowth.

This suction cup has rather large fins. The fins, like the body of the sturisoma, have a reddish-yellow hue. A darker brownish streak runs along the entire body. In this case, the abdomen has a silver-white color. The male is distinguished by a more intense color, and his eyes are located much lower in comparison with the female.

These catfish adapt well to life in captivity, even if individuals from the wild get into the aquarium. But this has happened infrequently in recent decades. This catfish successfully spawns in an aquarium.

Sturisoma can only be kept in a fairly spacious aquarium. It is better if its volume is more than 250 liters, because it sticks it can grow up to 20 cm. Catfish actively eats various algal fouling from any surface. But since the sturisome needs a lot of food, it is not worth keeping fish in one volume with it, with which it will compete for food resources. In the diet of sturisoma, you can include not only special tableted feeds, but also cucumber, zucchini, fresh salad. She does not disdain animal feed. Artemia, bloodworms, minced seafood or beef will appeal to the fish. This catfish in captivity may well live 8 or more years.