Datasheet Dragonfish
German name:
dragon fish
Scientific name:
Zacco platypus
Origin:
Asia
Size:
up to 20 cm
Aquarium
Length:
from 180 cm
Contents:
from 600 liters
water values
Temperature:
4 to 26 degrees Celsius
pH:
6 to 8.5
GH:
0 to 20
Behave
Area:
surface
Lining:
Approaching food (flies and mosquitoes), flake food, frozen food, granulated food, koi food
Behave:
school fish
Number:
From 10 copies
Difficulty level:
Beginner fish with basic knowledge Nozo, Oikawa1, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Japanese dragon fish (Zacco platypus) belongs to the carp family (Crypinidae) and is found in the Asian rivers resident. There it is mainly found in Japan, North and South Korea, East China, as well as in North Vietnam.
In Japan the Freshwater fish Oikawa called and owes its name to Chinese ink drawings of dragons. They are similar because of their animal-like stripe pattern that runs across the flanks and the long pectoral and pelvic fins. The stripes of the dragon fish shimmer in a strong blue-green and can be contrasted with a salmon pink. The males in particular show a distinctive coloration during the spawning season, which clearly distinguishes them from the females.
attitude
dragon fish are cold water fishthat live in the swarm. They grow best in ponds with a Minimum depth of 100 cm held. However, they can also be kept in a cold water aquarium. If the Zacco platypus is kept in the aquarium tank, this should at least 600 liters include. A long tank of 180 cm is recommended, since the dragon fish distinctive swimming behavior have. This is exactly why the pond is to be preferred.
Since dragonfish are schooling fish, they do best with conspecifics of up to 10 copies held. They can also be socialized with other peaceful fish species of the same size.
In order to accommodate the swimming behavior of the fish, the tank should be as shallow as possible lots of swimming space offer. Dragonfish are extremely persistent and fast swimmers, who sometimes hunt each other in groups. Aquatic plants are therefore not necessary for the Zacco platypus. However, one permanent, directed water flow sensible for dragon fish to imitate the conditions of their home waters. The foreground of the pool is ideal for this Internal filter with air stone on, while the background of the pool serves as a quiet zone where the current is calmed.
Coarse gravel is ideal as the bottom of the pool, larger stones are suitable for decoration. So that the fish are not restricted in their swimming space, a few, robust cold water plants can be placed in the background.
water values
Dragonfish are suitable for both warm and cold water keeping. However, the temperature in winter should not be below 4°C and not over in the summer 26ºC go. The pond must not be heated in winter. The Zacco platypus is extremely hardy and even needs the cold of winter to maintain its vitality. However, the pond should not freeze over completely.
To acclimatization are temperatures between 16 and 20°C recommended.
The water should be oxygen-rich, clear and clean. The water hardness lies between 0 and 20GHwhile the PH value optimally around the neutral point between 6 and 8.5 emotional.
Behave
dragon fish are vital but peaceful schooling fishwho are a bit shy at first. After a short period of acclimatization, however, they are very trusting and able associated with other fish species become. Regular feeding times also help the fish lose their initial shyness and become trusting. They like to swim at the surface of the water, where they look out for flies and mosquitoes.
In their native waters, dragonfish are mostly active at duskto jump for incoming insects. This should be considered when keeping the pond and the pond should therefore be covered.
lining
At the feeding are dragon fish not picky. they prefer approach food, such as flies and mosquitoes and their larvae. But flake food, granulated food, frozen food or koi food can also be fed to the cold water fish. Algae particles can serve as vegetable supplementary food.
offspring
Dragonfish are already from one Body size from 10 to 12 cm sexually mature. For courtship behavior, the males change their color and wrap themselves in iridescent rainbow colors. The offspring only succeeds in really large tanks.
difficulty level
The Zacco platypus is very easy to care for and therefore also suitable for beginners. However, some basic knowledge about the keeping of cold water fish and their behavior should be available for keeping them.