Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Paradise Fish Breeding
Paradise Fish bred through he 28 day poitn will do fine, as was noted .. but will reach a flash point after becoming top breathing and free swimming fish. They remain miniscule in size, but develop adult characteristics quickly with tail elongation, and diving and show signs of maturity.
In my case, however, they died as a group --but without a trace. They dissappeared in the tank ... not in or through the filter ..with no signs of a fish kill. There were however signs - incredibly of a few larger surviving paradise-fish fry. Additionally, a few of the benign snails grew two or three times their size.
Presumedly - -the fry began a voracious consumption, after developing surface breathing; and were also prey for the snails as the fry surfaced among the duckweed (limna minor). Would assume that the snails ate as they will funnel style at the surface. Fry had begun enlarging but were about eyelash lenght.
So as a conservative reminder .. either remove all contending species .. or with a cup ..remove quantities of the fry - unless you have a superior breeding tank (ie 55 gals etc) when they start to gathe at the surface.
The parents have been re-united in another 10 gallon tank with undergravel filter; nad conditions will be applied this week to induce mating again. That again wuld be water change (they react to the chemistry -leave it acidic as if by rain); temperature increase (about 70-74 F) (they have been at 64F in the new setting); and remove any other possible species distractions or adversaries (ie snails Zebra Danios etc); and additionally reduce the watre level partially -as if to suggest a dry season approach (this is optional).
Will report the results here again - likely successful - the female is fattening again now. On this additional occasion, the pair will be left in the tank -the female has pleanty of hdiing plances ; and pleanty of plants for fry to hide, in order to observe the male 'cull' and 'nurture' to some other survival polit. A few fry will be pulled for separate raising. The male's behavior in feeding will be especially anticipated. (recollect that last breeding he regurgitated food to the surface near the fry .. as if to prepare food for them. On this breeding - both in so far as manageable will be fed and kept with the fry -- sufficient parental food will possiby defer fry cannibalism.
In my case, however, they died as a group --but without a trace. They dissappeared in the tank ... not in or through the filter ..with no signs of a fish kill. There were however signs - incredibly of a few larger surviving paradise-fish fry. Additionally, a few of the benign snails grew two or three times their size.
Presumedly - -the fry began a voracious consumption, after developing surface breathing; and were also prey for the snails as the fry surfaced among the duckweed (limna minor). Would assume that the snails ate as they will funnel style at the surface. Fry had begun enlarging but were about eyelash lenght.
So as a conservative reminder .. either remove all contending species .. or with a cup ..remove quantities of the fry - unless you have a superior breeding tank (ie 55 gals etc) when they start to gathe at the surface.
The parents have been re-united in another 10 gallon tank with undergravel filter; nad conditions will be applied this week to induce mating again. That again wuld be water change (they react to the chemistry -leave it acidic as if by rain); temperature increase (about 70-74 F) (they have been at 64F in the new setting); and remove any other possible species distractions or adversaries (ie snails Zebra Danios etc); and additionally reduce the watre level partially -as if to suggest a dry season approach (this is optional).
Will report the results here again - likely successful - the female is fattening again now. On this additional occasion, the pair will be left in the tank -the female has pleanty of hdiing plances ; and pleanty of plants for fry to hide, in order to observe the male 'cull' and 'nurture' to some other survival polit. A few fry will be pulled for separate raising. The male's behavior in feeding will be especially anticipated. (recollect that last breeding he regurgitated food to the surface near the fry .. as if to prepare food for them. On this breeding - both in so far as manageable will be fed and kept with the fry -- sufficient parental food will possiby defer fry cannibalism.
Live-bearers Platys & Guppys
Liver bearers in two aquaria include blue platies, and yellow-flame orange fancy guppies poecilla. First pairings went smoothly without much success . .they appeared mated but did not reproduce. In my area, local water is more acidic than desired, so additional water softening and hardening (calcium factor) were increased with ordinary marble chips --frequently used in planters or landscaping.
The water chemistry changed to about 7.3-7.4 and was raised higher in the case of the platies.
Water calcium apparently as well as softening are important factors in these two species, and the budget aquarist (with water testing for acidity-alkalinity at home or with a pet shop (ie PETCO) can adderss the water chemistry satisfactorily. Calcium, as in reef fish is needed in an abundant supply for these live bearers. Prior readings about the platies have noted calcium and water hardness & alkalinity figures approaching ph 8.4. Adjusting the water hardness (ie calcium with the calcium in marble chips behaving as a calcite factor) did the trick. Both species abundantly reproduced.
As a note in breeding - the blue-platies return a true to color offspring .. there appears to be not break. Guppies have reproduced but are to young and without full adult color as et.
Quantities of marble chips would vary per tank --perhaps the equivalent of a half liter (two cups) in any place or scatter on the gravel bed of the aquarium will adjust the water. Gradually with platies (frequently used to softer river water) may require more. Calcium is necessary in all species for bone formation and nervous system synaptic function. Rinse the chips before using to prevent tank clouding .. and as necessary -- avoid using where the tank bottom is not completely supported (as in heavy rock) on glass tank bottoms.
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The water chemistry changed to about 7.3-7.4 and was raised higher in the case of the platies.
Water calcium apparently as well as softening are important factors in these two species, and the budget aquarist (with water testing for acidity-alkalinity at home or with a pet shop (ie PETCO) can adderss the water chemistry satisfactorily. Calcium, as in reef fish is needed in an abundant supply for these live bearers. Prior readings about the platies have noted calcium and water hardness & alkalinity figures approaching ph 8.4. Adjusting the water hardness (ie calcium with the calcium in marble chips behaving as a calcite factor) did the trick. Both species abundantly reproduced.
As a note in breeding - the blue-platies return a true to color offspring .. there appears to be not break. Guppies have reproduced but are to young and without full adult color as et.
Quantities of marble chips would vary per tank --perhaps the equivalent of a half liter (two cups) in any place or scatter on the gravel bed of the aquarium will adjust the water. Gradually with platies (frequently used to softer river water) may require more. Calcium is necessary in all species for bone formation and nervous system synaptic function. Rinse the chips before using to prevent tank clouding .. and as necessary -- avoid using where the tank bottom is not completely supported (as in heavy rock) on glass tank bottoms.
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