Telescope fish: rules of maintenance and compatibility

An interesting and distinctive addition to any aquarium is the telescope fish. This fish, which is well-known for its striking appearance, has big, protruding eyes that give it a unique and slightly whimsical appearance. Originating in Asian waters, the Telescope fish has gained popularity among aquarium enthusiasts due to its captivating appearance and captivating behavior.

To maintain the health and happiness of Telescope fish, some specialized knowledge is necessary. Regarding diet, social interactions, and tank conditions, these fish have particular requirements. It is essential to comprehend these needs in order to establish a healthy environment in which they can thrive.

Understanding the interactions between Telescope fish and other species is crucial, in addition to maintaining them properly. Their harmony in the tank can be affected by how well they get along with other fish in the tank. This article will go over important maintenance advice for Telescope fish, which will help them live in harmony with other fish in your tank.

Habitat in nature

Although China is acknowledged as the official birthplace of the telescope, the "dragon eye" is extinct in the wild.

Japan is now known as the birthplace of many hybrids, and it is thanks to its scientists and amateurs that the original species of telescope fish, which come in a multitude of colors, have emerged.

History of appearance

The Chinese actively worked with wild crucian carp in the fifteenth century in an effort to obtain native fish species.

They developed a telescope that they named "dragon eye" at the start of the sixteenth century. Fish selection is being actively pursued by additional Japanese ichthyologists.

Several telescopes were transported to Europe in 1872. They ultimately produced the well-known French naturalist Pierre Carbonnier, who greatly aided in the spread of aquarium keeping.

Meshchersky, a Russian scientist, received two female "dragon eye" from Pierre Carbonnier in return.

The increase in unusual fish varieties can be attributed to Russian breeders. They made the "black telescope with ruby eyes" and the "Moscow black telescope."

Any species in the picture can be identified as a "dragon" by looking at its eyes, which are just enormous. The eyes can have a spherical, conical, or cylindrical shape.

A large head atop a short, round body crowns a gorgeous tail that hangs down in a stunning veil or soft triangle. Its fins resemble veil as well.

The fish typically grow to a length of 10 cm, but with proper care, they can reach up to 25 cm. What is the lifespan of a telescope? Although the average lifespan is 15 years, some people live up to 20 years.

Three key characteristics set apart the species that breeders have created:

  1. The shape and size of the fins (skirt, short-finned, ribbon-like).
  2. The presence of scales, that is, the fish can be scaly and scaleless, with a velvety body;
  3. Color – monochromatic and multicolored, the most common are gold, black and red.

Goldfish

Despite being closely related to the telescope, the goldfish appears more sophisticated. The gold telescope emits a vivid orange hue and a lovely metallic sheen.

Panda

A velvety-bodied variation of the "butterfly" breed. Its body is light in color, and its fins change color from brown-bronze when they are young to black or white.

Black Moor

Among aquarists, the black color of the telescope is one of the most favored. The black moor has long side fins and a small tail.

Calico butterfly

The white body of the calico butterfly has a blue tint to it. Numerous spots—which can be black, yellow, white, or red—create the chintz pattern.

Chintz prints with bluish, pink, and blue inclusions are examples of rare colors.

Because of their graceful swimming and unusually large eyes, telescope fish make fascinating additions to any aquarium. There are certain care instructions that must be followed in order to keep them happy and healthy. These instructions include giving them a balanced diet and a large tank with clean water. Furthermore, it’s critical to know how well telescope fish get along with other fish because they may require extra care to prevent stress and confrontations. The best ways to care for telescope fish and make sure they flourish in your aquatic environment are covered in this article.

Features of aquarium maintenance

It is thought that owning telescopes poses no issues. Nonetheless, there is a physiological characteristic of these fish that makes maintenance extremely difficult.

By their very nature, telescopes have weak vision, trouble seeing food, are prone to injuries, and get infections in their eyes.

Water

The water in the aquarium should be between 22 and 25 °C for the comfort of the furry friends, both physically and mentally. Hardness: 8 to 15 dH, acidity: 7.0 to 8.0 pH.

Once every three days, clean the aquarium and replace one-fifth of the water volume. Telescopes are big, mobile devices that generate a lot of dirt.

Alternate half of the total volume of water once a month to preserve biobalance and ward off illnesses.

Aquarium

You should place a rectangular aquarium with a capacity of 80–120 liters for a couple of pets. It will be necessary to increase the tank if neighbors are added to them.

Recall! A circular aquarium is not at all appropriate for housing a telescope.

An aerator and a strong filter are essential components of an artificial reservoir.

Soil

The bottom should be covered with small pebbles or coarse river sand, since telescopes like to stick their curious noses into the earth.

Large grottoes, castles, and cave decorations shouldn’t have any sharp edges. Reducing the number of items in your decor to one or two will help.

Landscaping

Primarily, it should be able to recuperate rapidly and have an abundance of vegetation.

"Dragon’s eye" enjoys swimming in thickets and pinching leaves until only gnawed twigs are left.

When selecting plant species for landscaping, take into account the behavior of telescopes.

Take note! If you’re not fond of living algae or don’t want to keep adding new plants to the aquarium, consider adding artificial silk plants.

Compatibility

Telescopes, despite their relatively large size, are in reality delicate and brittle. They get along well with other members of their species, but swordtails, cichlids, and barbs shouldn’t be kept with them.

Telescopes can be killed by injuries sustained from these active predators.

You can settle in the same aquarium as the "dragon eye":

  • Siamese algae eater – the orderly of your aquarium
  • Danio rerio: 15 most colorful species and their maintenance
  • Sumatran barbs – bright fish with characteristic stripes

Feeding

The golden rule of proportion should be observed when feeding telescopes: 3% of the body weight should be consumed in food. Fish shouldn’t be overfed because they quickly gain too much weight and don’t know how much food is enough.

They eat everything, including plant food, by the way. Expert caregivers suggest giving them grain-based food.

Feed the telescopes in the morning and the evening, twice a day. Pour out a portion, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then carefully remove the leftovers. Fish that have their nutrition well-organized can go up to a week without eating.

Breeding

At two years old, telescopes are ready to procreate. Springtime is when the mating season happens.

Pets’ behavior starts to shift somewhere in March and April; they start to act more energetically and show interest in the other sex.

Males and females of the telescope

Until the breeding process, it is impossible to tell a female "dragon eye" from a male.

The female fish exhibits a noticeable rounding of the abdomen, while the male fish develops tubercles on his gill plates in preparation for mating.

How to organize the process

Keep a few males and females, and they will split up into pairs for sure.

You need to keep the males and females apart for 1.5–2 weeks and feed them a lot of food for successful mating.

The fish stop eating for a day before the day of mating approaches. Subsequently, they move the present pair into an other reservoir, where they will spawn.

Telescope spawning tanks should have a minimum volume of 50 liters and be wide and low. On the bottom are Java moss and a separator net.

The water is maintained at roughly 24 °C. The pair needs to be exposed to strong light and aeration after being placed in the spawning tank.

Take note! Make careful to follow the spit of telescopes: remove both parents as soon as the female removes all of the caviar to prevent them from consuming their own young.

After seven to ten days, the "dragon eye" fry appear. The development of the larvae and the maturation of the eggs both need this time.

If the babies don’t have protruding eyes, don’t worry; the fish will eventually develop them. Crustaceans are fed to fries.

Topic Description
General Information Telescope fish, known for their protruding eyes, are a popular choice for many aquarists. They are part of the goldfish family and come with unique eye features that make them stand out in any aquarium.
Tank Size These fish require a minimum of a 30-gallon tank to thrive. They need ample space to swim and grow comfortably.
Water Conditions Maintain a temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C). The pH should be kept between 7.0 and 8.0, with moderate water hardness.
Diet Feed telescope fish a balanced diet consisting of high-quality flakes or pellets. Occasionally, supplement with live or frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Tank Mates Telescope fish are generally peaceful but should be kept with other non-aggressive species. Avoid sharp or fin-nipping fish, as they can irritate the telescope"s sensitive eyes.
Maintenance Regular water changes (about 20% weekly) are crucial. Keep the tank clean and ensure proper filtration to maintain water quality.

Because of their distinctive look and interesting behavior, caring for telescope fish in your aquarium can be a fulfilling experience. Regular care and attention are crucial for these fish, as they require well-maintained tanks with stable water conditions to flourish. Their general health and happiness will be enhanced if they have enough room to swim and the ideal water conditions.

Telescope fish do best in tanks with other calm species as tankmates. Fish that are too active or aggressive may stress them out because they can be sensitive to such things. A peaceful aquarium can be achieved by selecting compatible tank mates with similar water needs and personalities.

In conclusion, giving your telescope fish tank the care it needs and selecting the right friends are the keys to its success. You can take pleasure in the beauty and allure of these unusual fish for many years to come by attending to their particular requirements and making sure they are in a suitable habitat.

Video on the topic

TELESCOPE . KEEPING IN AN AQUARIUM

TELESCOPE GOLDFISH in an aquarium. Keeping, breeding, compatibility and care

TELESCOPE. KEEPING AND BREEDING IN AN AQUARIUM

Telescope. All the most important.

What part of aquarium maintenance do you consider the most difficult?
Share to friends
Elena Grishina

Ecologist and aquarist with a special interest in creating balanced ecosystems in aquariums. Main focus — ecosystems that require minimal human intervention. I support a natural approach to aquarium care, where each element plays its role, helping to maintain harmony in a closed ecosystem. I promote sustainable aquarium keeping and respect for nature.

Rate author
InfoProekt24.com
Add a comment