I have my 1.2 P. phoenicurus in these water parameter: EC 24 – 35 , pH 4,2 – 5.2, dKH <1, temperature 26°C, after water change 24°C. Tank size is 25x40x25cm.
Elder cones, beech leaves, catappa leaves, moorkien root, swimming plants, java moss, a bit substrate on the ground, some caves.
Filter is a small rucksack filter.
I prepare the water with peat granules and a small osmosis plant.
I feed generously, now in winter with naupliae, white mosquito larvaes, moina, micro worms, marine copepodes, water flea.
I do my water changes every week, 50%.
I have now moved 21 young phoenicurus in a bigger tank (54l), similar set up as their parents tank. Just the filter is different, a HMF (foam filter and water bubbles).
There are still left at least 4 other juvenile in the parents tank, which I wasn't able to catch till now They are really very shy and champions in hiding.
My young linkei begin to behave like swarm fish 🙂 .
Perhaps I got my phoenicurus earlier than most of you, I already got them on 12th of september. I asked immediately some days after it was anounced here in the forum at aquarium dietzenbach, if they could send 1.2 animals to my aquaristic shop in Freiburg. And the tank was running since about three month that time, I planned to breed there caridina simoni, but the 10 animals vanished (to low pH I think). So the tank was ready for the phoenicurus to settle down...