2017-11-26 Amazonas

the mood strikes me. Here I will report on

my long experience with some of these

fishes. Some of my methods could be used

to breed other species as well.

The basics

Keeping and breeding blue-eyes is not

difficult, and there is no need for large

aquariums. A tank measuring 24 x 12 x

12 inches (60 x 30 x 30 cm) and holding

15 gallons (54 L) is sufficient, and this fish

family does not have any special requirements. A

heater, a filter matched to the size of the aquarium—I

recommend an air-driven foam filter—and some light

from above will suffice. The tank should be planted, because

a naked tank is not ideal for blue-eyes, and the lighting must meet

the needs of the plants; I now use LEDs, but fluorescent bulbs also work

just fine. A lid to keep the fishes in the tank is critical.

When the aquarium is in place, the equipment installed, the gravel washed and

laid down, and the plants anchored in the soil or tied to roots, you can fill the tank

with tap water for most blue-eyes. When I lived in my house I collected rain water in

barrels for my weekly water changes.

Small foods

Appropriate food is an important part of blue-eye care. These fishes are omnivorous,

but their food must be the right size. This also applies to flake food or granules—usu-

ally you have to crush it. Blue-eyes should receive a varied diet to thrive and present

their best colors. Live food, whether collected or cultivated, is ideal. Once a week I load

up my car with buckets and nets and drive to a local pond to collect fish food (with

AMAZONAS

H. H. BOECK

Top: A breeding tank with

spawning mop, bowls holding

collected eggs, and small

rearing tank for young

hatchlings.

Inset: Mops made of artificial

wool are an excellent, time-

tested spawning substrate for

all blue-eyes. The eggs can be

collected easily and transferred

into small bowls.