The breeding environment of parrotfish mainly includes aspects such as water temperature, water quality, feed, and aquarium setup.
Water Temperature and Water Quality
Parrotfish are tropical fish. The suitable water temperature range for them is 24 - 28 °C, and the optimal water temperature is 25 - 28 °C. If the water temperature is too low (below 20 °C), it will lead to health problems like ichthyophthiriasis and saprolegniasis. If the water temperature is too high (above 30 °C), it may cause oxygen deficiency and rapid breathing. Therefore, it is very important to use a heating rod to keep the water temperature constant and avoid large fluctuations in the water temperature. Parrotfish also have certain requirements for water quality. The suitable pH value is 6.5 - 7.0. The water quality should be kept clean. Regular water changes (changing 1/4 to 1/3 of the water every week) and the installation of a filtration system to purify the water quality are necessary.
Feed and Feeding
Parrotfish are omnivorous fish. They can be fed with artificial feed, shrimp meat, earthworms and other foods. In order to maintain their bright body colors, feed containing astaxanthin and carotene can be regularly provided. Feed them 1 - 2 times a day, and it is advisable that the parrotfish can finish the food within a few minutes each time, so as to avoid overfeeding which may lead to deterioration of water quality and obesity.
Aquarium Setup and Other Precautions
Parrotfish need relatively large activity spaces. Their body length can reach about 30 centimeters when they are adults. Therefore, the aquarium should be large enough to provide sufficient swimming space. When changing the water, pay attention to controlling the amount of water changed and the water temperature. Each time, the amount of water changed should not exceed one-third of the total water volume, and the temperature difference of the water should not exceed 0.5 °C. In addition, parrotfish are sensitive to environmental changes, so frequent water changes or significant changes in water quality conditions should be avoided.