Fish that are unusual and colorful are always sought after by aquarium hobbyists who want to expand their collections. Due to their serene disposition and eye-catching colors, philomena fish have grown in popularity among aquarists of all skill levels. These little, placid fish are a delightful addition to community tanks because they add a touch of elegance to any aquarium.
When their basic needs are met, philomena fish, which are renowned for their vivid scales and kind disposition, are comparatively simple to care for. They flourish in a well-kept tank with balanced food, clean water, and the ideal temperature. They can easily integrate into a variety of aquatic environments thanks to their amiable personality, which also makes them excellent companions for other peaceful fish species.
We will go over all you need to know about keeping Philomena fish in this article. You’ll find helpful advice to make sure these gorgeous fish thrive in your home aquarium, from their ideal tank setup and feeding habits to health advice and breeding information. See how keeping Philomena fish can enhance the vibrancy and color of your underwater environment and experience the joy of caring for them.
Feature | Description |
Scientific Name | Philomena fishus |
Family | Characidae |
Size | Up to 5 cm |
Diet | Omnivorous – enjoys flakes, small insects, and plant material |
Water Temperature | 22-26°C (72-79°F) |
Tank Size | Minimum 20 liters (5 gallons) |
Behavior | Peaceful, suitable for community tanks |
Lifespan | 3-5 years |
- Varieties and their differences
- The appearance of the red -eyed Philomena
- Origin of fish
- Availability of maintenance
- Character of philomena
- Selecting Neighbors
- Features of feeding
- Detailed breeding tips
- Requirements for water and aquarium arrangement
- The dimensions of the aquarium
- Necessary equipment and scenery for the aquarium
- Photo of Philomena
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Varieties and their differences
There are numerous philomena subspecies in the wild, but only two of them are bred in aquariums:
- common philomena;
- Balloon philomena (disc).
The fish have different appearances and sizes, as well as unique habits and behaviors. The common philomena, for instance, swims in a fairly loose flock, but the ballons prefer to live in groups of five or six. Disc philomena has a body that is rounder than typical. The balloon fish is marginally longer than the common red-eyed tetra in length.
Since neither of the subspecies exhibits aggressive behavior, they live in harmony with one another in an aquarium with fish that are roughly their own size.
Fish live for three to five years on average.
The appearance of the red -eyed Philomena
The fish’s body is flattened on the sides and extended in length. The shape of the common philomena is similar to an ellipse. The disc philomena has a balloon-like shape due to its rounded sides. Both subspecies have tiny, transparent fins with a grayish hue. There are two lobes on the fin in the tail section, and a black transverse stripe runs along the base of the tail.
The scales are silver in color. There are luminous red dots above the eyes that contrast sharply with the surrounding area. An aquarium at home can be adorned with a group of these fish. Under certain lighting conditions, the silvery sides of the moencausia can appear yellowish, while the back exhibits shimmering shades of olive green. It appears as though a mesh is holding the body together. The scales’ darker border gives the appearance of having a mesh pattern.
The upper portion of the iris is not the same red color as the rest of the eye. The female fish appeared to have painted red shadows on her eyelids. Fish kept in aquariums rarely grow longer than 5 cm; in their natural habitat, they can reach lengths of 7–10 cm. When observing a pair, the male appears somewhat smaller and thinner, while the female appears fuller from the front.
Origin of fish
These tetras are native to South America. In the rivers of Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil, philomena are frequently found.
Availability of maintenance
Care and living conditions are given to red-eyed philomena without complaint. For this reason, novice aquarists are advised to breed these fish.
Character of philomena
From an aggressiveness perspective, the philomena fish exhibits no signs of anger and does not attack its relatives. However, it is still able to enjoy its own offspring, such as eating fry or caviar. Adults and children alike enjoy watching the fish because they are highly active. Philomenas is a daytime activity.
Selecting Neighbors
The fish are not aggressive, but trying to keep them with veil-tailed beauties won’t work. Vulnerably tailing individuals may become less attractive due to the growing popularity of long fins and the high degree of mobility of filomenas. Additionally, slow fish are not good neighbors for filomenas. Fish that are clumsy experience stress due to the latter’s increased activity.
Good and cordial neighbors include:
- danio rerio;
- barbs;
- mail catfish;
- rasboras;
- corydoras;
- medium-sized cichlids that are not distinguished by aggressive behavior;
- ancistrus;
- acanthophthalmus (loaches).
If an aquarist is inexperienced and has only obtained a few filomenas, they will be easily identified by their timidity and their hostile attacks on their neighbors. The swarming inhabitants become non-aggressive in behavior and establish their own hierarchy. Consequently, it is better to buy a small school rather than maintain a pair.
Features of feeding
Philomenas consume any kind of food that is found in the natural world. Consequently, selecting food for the aquarium is trouble-free. The fish consume frozen, live food as well as dry food with happiness. Daphnia, bloodworms, brine shrimp, granulated food, and flakes are available for purchase.
The fish require dietary supplements to improve their coloring. As a result, purchasing specialized compositions for philomenas from a pet store is advised. Food containing plant components is also included in the diet to increase the fish’s viability.
Detailed breeding tips
Breeding philomenas is not difficult because they are an egg-laying species. When purchasing, make sure to select a minimum of two to three males and multiple females, as spawning can take place in pairs or in a communal school. Reproduction is best served by an equal number of individuals of the two sexes.
Fish are fed live food to initiate the spawning season. Since philomenas are not carnivorous fish, adult fish are kept in a separate aquarium called a spawning tank to track the spawning process. It contains water that is ideal for philomenas in all technical aspects (pH 5.5–6.5, temperature – +27–28 °C).
It is not necessary to decorate the spawning tank with decorations. All you’ll need is a special lattice bottom and some large-leafed bottom plants, where the females will spawn. The lattice’s holes allow the eggs to fall through, shielding them from adult predators. The spawning pair is taken out in the evening, and the whole laying process takes place in the morning. The parent pair is returned to the shared aquarium once the spawning process is over.
The eggs are shaded and under daily observation in a separate aquarium. It is necessary to add food to the water as soon as the larvae emerge from the eggs, which takes about 24 to 36 hours. Food that is granular and dry causes the fry to react poorly or not at all. The finest food consists of ciliates, Artemia sculpies, egg yolk, and microshoes.
From birth, it is best to feed the fry live food; to do this, chop the Kolov. You can add chicken egg yolk to the water if there was no live food available when the fry first appeared. This is accomplished by boiling the egg, removing the yolk, and then pouring some of the egg into the spawning ground after rubbing it with a little aquarium water. The yellow salad dressing tastes great, but the water gets contaminated too quickly.
Yogurt is a good substitute because it doesn’t quickly contaminate water when added. Boiling water is added to a teaspoon of yogurt, and a curled protein is captured by a net, dropped into a spawning ground, and shaken. The tiniest protein particles should be broken up by the meal.
The use of dry milk as feed is another. To obtain it, fill a deep plate with a small amount of milk, then set the plate over a water bath above the pots of boiling water. The powder that remains on the plate after the water evaporates can be added to the aquarium along with fry. It will take you several hours to obtain dry milk.
The fry mature after 10 to 14 days and can then eat dry food that has been crushed and mixed with vegetables. Food is added frequently, but in tiny amounts.
Every day, a portion of the water in the fry aquarium needs to be changed, and 10% fresh, purified liquid should be added.
The fry’s light source shouldn’t be overly bright.
The Philomena fish, with its vivid colors and serene disposition, is a fascinating addition to any aquarium. These fish are easy to care for and do best in a tank that is kept in good condition with an appropriate ratio of plants to hiding places. They are a fantastic option for community aquariums because they get along well with a variety of species, enhancing the undersea environment’s beauty and harmony. The philomena fish can add vibrancy and variety to your aquarium setup, regardless of your level of experience as an aquarist.
Requirements for water and aquarium arrangement
Since Philomena is a freshwater species, the water in the aquarium should be suitable. Given the high temperatures found in South America’s tropical regions, water that has been warmed to between +22 and +26 °C is thought to be suitable for philomena. The water temperature rises by 1-2 °C during spawning.
Additional water qualities required for fish life and reproduction include:
- acidity within 6.5-7 U;
- hardness – no more than 15 °.
Although filtering is essential, they dislike a fish flow that is too strong.
The dimensions of the aquarium
In the event that a small pack of five or six animals is to be purchased, a 70-liter rectangular aquarium will suffice. The larger the vessel should be for the number of people you intend to purchase.
Special scattering lamps will help to emphasize the unusual color and red spots above the eyes. They’ll make it appear as though there are reddish-orange flashlights. Dark soil complements the fish’s silver hue well.
Plants and water should be densely planted around the aquarium’s perimeter. Dispersed lighting makes it easier for plants to float on the water’s surface. You can add dry foliage to the aquarium for the same reason.
Also read:
- how to care for fish in the aquarium;
- how many times a day to feed aquarium fish;
- Why are fish dying in the aquarium.
Necessary equipment and scenery for the aquarium
An aquarium with algae should not have overly bright lighting because this will cause the plants to grow too quickly and necessitate frequent bottom cleaning. Since fish are active during the day, the lights in the aquarium are either turned off at night or are dimly lit.
Because of the stark differences in temperature between day and night, certain types of lighting fixtures have the potential to heat the water, which could have a negative impact on the residents. Buying fluorescent lights is advised to avoid this as they effectively shade the fish’s colors while also reducing the amount of heat the water retains.
Pouring small pebbles on the bottom and creating a small incline from the rear wall to the front is the ideal method.
After that, arrange the plants and decorations. Water should not be added to the aquarium until the decorations are in place.
The amount of water in the aquarium and the necessary budget are taken into consideration when selecting a filter system. Check the filter’s functionality after it has been installed and the aquarium has been filled with water. When the device is turned on, the water should circulate evenly and quietly for two to three minutes.
The temperature of the water in an aquarium is a crucial indicator. You will need to buy a special thermometer in order to measure it. They can be made of liquid crystal, spiral, electronic, alcohol, mercury, or strips, among other materials. The type of fastening, measurement accuracy, and availability of a warning system—a feature that some thermometers have—all affect how much they cost. Position the thermometer in the middle of the water’s thickness on the wall across from the heater. Remember that lamps have the ability to skew temperature readings.
A heater is an additional essential accessory. It is extremely difficult to maintain the necessary temperature without it, particularly during the winter. It is important to choose heaters based on their power and to make sure that a thermostat is present. This will assist in keeping the aquarium at the proper temperature.
The water’s acidity can be managed with the aid of an electronic pH meter. Aquarists now have it much easier thanks to the special devices that modern manufacturers have produced that have a carbon dioxide reactor. It keeps an exact acid-base balance while operating nonstop.
If you set up the aquarium properly, you can make a comfortable spot for the whole family in the house, not just the fish. After all, watching aquatic life while lounging on a cozy sofa is a pastime that is not limited to kids.
Photo of Philomena
A wonderful addition to any aquarium, philomena fish are renowned for their graceful appearance and kind disposition. They are a favorite among novice and expert aquarists alike because of their eye-catching hues and distinctive patterns, which can bring life and beauty to your tank.
These fish need a steady environment and a well-balanced diet to flourish, but they are generally easy to care for. They get along well with other non-aggressive species in community tanks. They can be kept happy and healthy with regular tank maintenance and water changes.
Philomena fish are a great option if you want to add some color to your aquarium or are looking for a low-maintenance species. They can quickly establish themselves as a favorite in any aquatic setup thanks to their alluring appearance and laid-back disposition.