Lalius are little gems in the world of aquarium keeping. Their delicate, iridescent colors and calm nature have long won the hearts of home aquarium enthusiasts. These fish not only decorate the aquarium, but are also very interesting to watch.
They belong to the group of labyrinth fish, which means one important feature. Lalius can breathe atmospheric air with the help of a special organ. That is why you can often see them swimming to the surface to catch a bubble of air.
Despite their beauty, lalius are quite undemanding, making them a good choice for beginners. They do not need a huge aquarium, but they greatly appreciate a calm environment and dense vegetation. Let's take a look at the different types of these fish and how to create a comfortable home for them.
Habitat
In nature, lalius live in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Their favorite places are slow-flowing or stagnant water bodies, rice fields, and irrigation systems. The fish does not feel comfortable in streams or rivers with strong currents and in open spaces. It prefers dense thickets where it can easily hide from natural enemies.
Lalyus belong to the labyrinth fish family, which allows them not only to breathe oxygen, but also to obtain food. From time to time, they rise to the surface to get another breath of air and catch midges.
Lalius have an unusual feeding method. They swim to the surface of the water and knock down flying insects with a jet of water that they release from their mouths. The fish can stay in the air for quite a long time, looking for prey.
— Alexandra Shabanova St. Petersburg, more than 7 years of experience in aquarium keeping
Characteristics
Lalyus are the smallest species of labyrinth fish. Females grow to 5-6 cm, males to 7-9 cm. The fish has a flat body, with the upper fin reaching the tail; it is pointed in males and rounded in females.
The side fins are thin and almost transparent, and there are small antennae on the chest – they perform a tactile function, as lalius have poor eyesight. With the help of these organs, they feel the bottom and easily find obstacles.
The advantage of these fish is their bright coloration. Males have a silvery body with red and blue stripes and a purple belly, while females are distinguished by more subdued shades. Thanks to selective breeding, other varieties of lalius have been bred, such as cobalt, neon, rainbow, etc.
Care
Lalius are undemanding in terms of living conditions, so they are suitable for beginners. They can live in a small 20-liter aquarium, but sometimes the males begin to divide the territory, so it is better to choose a larger tank – about 40 liters for a pair.
The fish feel more confident in company – it is better to keep them in small groups of 3-4 individuals, with the number of females exceeding the number of males.
The aquarium should be placed in a quiet, calm place—lalius are timid and prone to stress, and are afraid of loud noises. Lighting should be selected according to the needs of the plants, and the fish look best in bright light. Forced aeration is not necessary, as is the case with other labyrinth fish, but a filter is recommended to keep the water clean and clear.
It is not worth creating an intense current, as it is uncomfortable for lalius fish, which are not particularly strong swimmers. Underwater plants and decor (driftwood, branches) are also essential – the fish need a place to hide. The optimal water parameters are a temperature of 24-28 degrees, pH 6.0-7.5, GH 4-15, and weekly water changes of up to 20% are necessary.
Alexey Podolsky
Kazan, 4 years of experience in aquascaping
Today, I would recommend keeping lalius, specifically Malayan and Singaporean varieties, at a temperature of 25-28°C, and definitely not allowing the water temperature to fall below 20°C. Keeping them at 27-28°C will ensure the brightest coloration of the fish, but they will only live for about two years. Lalius fish can live twice as long in cooler water. Currently, lalius fish spawn at 29-32°C. In fact, they are also raised at these temperatures.
— Alexey Podolsky Kazan, 4 years of experience in aquascaping
Don't forget about the peculiarities of lalius breathing—from time to time, they float to the surface to take another breath of air. The aquarium should be covered with a lid, but so that there is space between it and the water surface. This way, the fish will breathe warm air (cold air can make them sick) and will not be able to jump out of the aquarium.
Be sure to have a large number of plants:
Lalius fish enjoy floating plants:
These provide the fish with places to hide and make the aquarium conditions more natural.
In nature, lalius feed on insects, their larvae, plankton, and succulent parts of green plants. In other words, they are not picky eaters, but in an aquarium it is important to provide them with nutrients.
Dry food can form the basis of their diet, supplemented with live food:
You can introduce a little plant food – chopped spinach, algae.
Their diet should be varied – feeding lalius exclusively dry food is strongly discouraged.
Experienced aquarists know well what their pets like, but beginners will have to experiment. It is important to remember that fish have small mouths, so food should be well chopped. Feeding frequency – no more than 2 times a day.
Alexandra Shabanova
St. Petersburg, more than 7 years of experience in aquarium keeping
In my general aquarium with lalius, cryptocoryne, anubias, spiral vallisneria, and paportnik grow well, and the lalius do not touch them at all. Of the delicate limnophila, there are sessile and cabomba, which they nibble on, but they grow quickly. I grew hornwort to soften the water — well, there are enough plants.
— Alexandra Shabanova, St. Petersburg, more than 7 years of experience in aquarium keeping
Reproduction
Breeding lalyus is not particularly difficult, but there are a number of nuances. The spawning tank should be at least 40 liters, filled with water to a level of 15 cm, with an optimal temperature of 25-27 degrees. It is best to plant a lot of plants in the corners of the aquarium so that the female can hide from the male, who becomes aggressive during the spawning period.
Reproduction begins with the construction of a nest, which is done by the male. Next, the female swims up to him, and the male wraps his body around her, squeezes out the eggs, and transfers them to the nest. After that, the female should be immediately transferred to another aquarium, otherwise the male may kill her. Lalius takes care of the nest on his own, removing spoiled eggs and adding air.
Incubation takes about 5 days, and after another 3-4 days, the fry begin to swim. At this time, the male can be removed, and the fry can be fed with infusoria and artemia nauplii. They switch to adult food after the fry reach a size of 1 cm.
It is better to place a bunch of riccia on the surface of the spawning ground for lalius to breed so that the male can use it to build a nest. Otherwise, he may thoroughly strip the plants.
Subspecies
Lalius varieties have been bred artificially, so they are more sensitive to their living conditions.
These include:
- Cobalt
It is distinguished by a rich blue hue; females are less bright, bluish-silver.
- Rainbow
The fish has bright scarlet stripes, while the females are rather inconspicuous, grayish-brown in color.
- Red
The main background is red, with turquoise coloring on the head and back.
- Coral
Red-brown coloring with stripes characteristic of lalius.
- Emerald
It has bright red stripes against a greenish body.
- Neon
Close to red – the snout, abdomen, and back are blue, the rest is fiery red
- Blue
A fairly rare variety with a rich light blue color.
Artificially bred lalius are practically indistinguishable from natural forms and, with proper care, feel great in an aquarium.
Compatibility
Lalyus are peaceful, so they get along well with almost all species of fish. Possible neighbors include:
Do not keep lalius with overly agile, aggressive fish. They will eat all the food and sometimes attack timid neighbors.
Advice for owners
- Usually, lalius do not cause serious problems for their owners, but in recent years, many aquarists have reported that the fish die immediately after being introduced into the tank. This most often occurs with lalius bred in Asia, and the cause of the problem is a viral disease called Dwarf gourami iridovirus (DGIV). It is incurable and causes ulcers on the surface of the body, after which the fish quickly dies. The only solution is to buy lalius from trusted sellers after a 6-week quarantine period.
- In nature, lalius live in stagnant, murky water bodies, so the water in the aquarium must be well settled before starting;
- Lalius are prone to overeating and obesity, so it is not recommended to feed them too often. You can arrange fasting days once a week. In addition, do not leave food residues in the aquarium, as the fish do not pick up food from the bottom, it will decompose, and this leads to the accumulation of harmful substances.
Lalius are beautiful and unpretentious aquarium fish that are perfect for both beginners and experienced aquarists. They are known for their peaceful nature, bright colors, and active behavior, while easily adapting to different conditions. There are several species of lalius, including the most common — selectively bred males with long fins, but it is important to remember that there can be aggression between males, so it is better to keep them alone or choose their neighbors with care. The main thing is to provide clean water, hiding places, and periodically heat the aquarium, because lalius fish love a warm, calm environment, and they can swallow air to breathe, like labyrinth fish.
Video review of lalius
Lalius is truly the perfect choice for those who want to get their first bright and interesting fish. Its stunning appearance, calm nature, and relative ease of care make it a universal favorite.
Remember that the most important things for your pet's health and long life are stable, clean water and proper nutrition. A small school in a spacious aquarium with plants and no aggressive neighbors is the formula for success.
Watching lalius is a special pleasure. Their graceful movements, care for their offspring, and flashes of color among the greenery create a real living corner of tranquility and beauty in your home. Give them a little care, and they will reward you with their amazing, delicate lives.
