Yellow-tail acei Care Guide

The Yellow-tail acei is a popular aquarium fish known for its vibrant coloration and social behavior. While they are moderately hardy and have a low maintenance level, there are essential considerations to ensure their optimal well-being and longevity in a home aquarium.

Tank Setup

The Yellow-tail acei thrives in a mid-tank to bottom-dwelling habitat. To accommodate their social nature, it is recommended to maintain a minimum school size of six individuals. Each fish requires at least 100 liters (approximately 26 gallons) of water. Create a balanced habitat with sufficient hiding spots, rocks, and flat surfaces that mimic their natural environment; this not only helps with spawning but also provides shelter during their more aggressive breeding periods.

Water Parameters

This species prefers water with a pH range of 7.5 to 8.5 and a temperature between 25°C to 29°C (77°F to 84°F). Maintaining these parameters is crucial to keeping your Yellow-tail acei healthy and stress-free. Regular water changes and monitoring are recommended to ensure the water quality remains optimal.

Feeding

Yellow-tail acei are omnivorous and enjoy a varied diet. They can be fed a combination of flakes, pellets, and specialized foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex worms. Supplement their diet with vegetable matter and algae wafers to provide essential nutrients. Occasional treats like frozen shrimp, daphnia, and feeder fish can enhance their diet. It's also beneficial to include color enhancing foods to maintain their vibrant appearance. Ensure feedings are appropriately portioned to avoid overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Behavior and Compatibility

Yellow-tail acei are semi-aggressive and moderately territorial, especially during breeding periods when their aggression can intensify. While they generally coexist well with similar species, it's important to provide enough space to minimize territorial disputes. Incorporate visual barriers within the tank layout to help manage aggression and protect less dominant individuals.

Health and Maintenance

Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to prevent health issues. Look for signs of stress or disease, and ensure a consistent cleaning schedule to maintain pristine water conditions. Despite their social nature, always monitor interactions, especially during breeding, to prevent undue stress or injury.

Breeding

Breeding Yellow-tail acei requires attention to environmental conditions and behavior. They are maternal mouthbrooders, and successful breeding requires water stability, adequate hiding spots, and spawning sites. The female carries the eggs in her mouth for several weeks; hence, minimizing stress and disturbances during this period is critical. Proper care of fry post-release includes a diet rich in micronutrients and regular water changes to support their growth and healthy development.

Overall, keeping Yellow-tail acei can be a fulfilling experience with the right balance of care, attention to behavioral needs, and understanding of their environmental preferences.