1. Introduction
【Child】 Professor, I’ve heard about a fish called “Round Mackerel,” which reminds me of the chubby cherubs in baroque paintings. Could you illuminate my curiosity about this fish?
【Professor】 Your artistic analogy always amazes me! Yes, we’ll dive into the world of Round Mackerels today. These fascinating fish are captivating to observe, and I’ll guide you through their characteristics, habitat, and how to keep them in an aquarium.
2. Characteristics
【Child】 Do these aquatic cherubs resemble their celestial counterparts with their round bodies and perhaps rosy hues?
【Professor】 Haha, quite an interesting interpretation! The Round Mackerel’s body is indeed rounded, as the name suggests, but their coloration is more of a metallic blue on the upper side and silvery-white on the underside. Their fins have a subtle shade of orange. They can grow up to 15 cm in length, so they are indeed cherub-like in size as well.
3. Habitat
【Child】 As the Botticelli’s Venus emerged from the water, I wonder from which waters these creatures originate and how they affect their delicate ecosystem.
【Professor】 Beautifully put! Round Mackerels are naturally found in the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. In an aquarium, they require conditions similar to their native habitat; marine environments with slight salinity variations. As for their role in the ecosystem, they serve as prey for larger fish species and seabirds, making them essential for maintaining the food chain balance.
4. Husbandry Requirements
【Child】 Much like the meticulous care given to Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” what specific requirements must one attend to while keeping Round Mackerels in an aquarium?
【Professor】 An imperative question! Round Mackerels, being marine fish, need a seawater aquarium with excellent water circulation. The ideal temperature is around 20°C to 24°C, with a pH level of 8-8.4 and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025. A minimum tank size of 200 liters is suitable, as they are a schooling species that appreciate ample swimming space. They feed on zooplankton, so provide a diet of small, live, or frozen foods like brine shrimp or mysis shrimp.
5. Behavior
【Child】 Do these fish possess any peculiar habits that could be compared to the moon guiding the tide in the night sky?
【Professor】 Indeed! Round Mackerels are known to be nocturnal creatures, mostly active during the night. Their favored pastime is swimming together in groups, which makes for a mesmerizing sight akin to synchronized swimmers in the aquatic realm.
6. Breeding
【Child】 As Daphnis and Chloe were united through their love, is there a harmonious way to encourage Round Mackerels to create their own offspring?
【Professor】 Enchantingly queried! Breeding Round Mackerels in captivity is quite a challenge. However, providing a suitable environment with consistent water parameters, sufficient space, and a nutritious diet can encourage them to spawn. The female will scatter her eggs, which will then hatch in a few days, releasing tiny, translucent larvae.
7. Cautions
【Child】 In the spirit of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” are there precautions we ought to consider when keeping these delicate creatures with other fish species?
【Professor】 Wisely referenced! Round Mackerels are generally peaceful but can be voracious predators of smaller fish or invertebrates. Keep them with fish of similar size and behavior, and avoid placing them with slow swimmers or smaller species, ensuring a harmonious aquarium community.
8. Conclusion
【Child】 As this journey comes to an end, could you summarize the captivating knowledge we’ve gained about these aquatic cherubs, dear Professor?
【Professor】 Certainly! Round Mackerels, with their rounded bodies and metallic hues, offer an alluring sight in a marine aquarium. By understanding their habitat, providing appropriate husbandry requirements, and considering their behavior and compatibility with other fish species, we can help these aquatic cherubs thrive in our aquariums, creating mesmerizing displays reminiscent of art masterpieces!