vince0

Im really curious what end do I hook up the bicycle pump? would I need one of those needle attachment (the ones for blowing up footballs and soccer balls?)If im mistreating an animal, I really appreciate knowing. Thanks! Ill try and get these jaguar cichlids and tiger Oscars fed, and hopefully back up to monster sized!

it really varies. I have had bag give me 20+ eggs and bags give me nothing. Since those times, I now dry my peat prior to packing and look for eggs in the dried peat. they actually pop right out with a good light. With 20-30 eggs per bag, and those eggs being fertile, you would probably see at least 50%. Growing them out can be tricky, I have had issues with the fish killing each other until im down to a single pair. I don't know if that's how they work in nature, or just my tanks...

Just snapped this picture of my alpha male Melanotaenia trifasciata "Goyder River" today, he is really turning into a stunner.

Just updated the original post to be more current.

Here is a picture of the second batch. Still have lots of young ones, I believe they will make it, as the first critical week is over. They already look like miniature of their parents at 3/4".

The eggs have started hatching today. As far as I can tell, the wigglers scurry under the father, who still hasn't moved in a few days. A few eggs we're knocked off, the assassin snails too care of those.

The original three are down to one long fish. Its about 1.5 inches and growing out fairly steadily with my rainbows. The next batch is doing great, I have over 20 kicking it in their own tank, eating pre-soaked lettuce. The male actually spawned again, but this time I want to see the brood care.

I read about the expedition to go get these in Amazonas Jul/Aug 2012, it was quite the adventure!

No. I stopped filling out forms a while back. When they denied my points on the halfbeaks because of low fry count, I stopped caring about BAP. I agree that the ro water change was probably dumb. I do use methylene blue or peroxide depending on my mood. I think this time I'll leave them as the clutch wasn't very big. Next time though, I'll be making a better effort.

I have now confirmed that they prefer to eat pre soaked lettuce leaves. I soak the lettuce in water for a day or two prior to feeding to soften it up. The fry love it. I've even managed to keep them alive longer than the previous batch.

This has been an amazing read, thank you for the information RD, I may be tempted to alter my feeding formula. I use the breeder flake form anglefins, and I have noticed a difference in spawning behaviour in a few of my fish. This is the only flake food I use, and I have used it for many years. I am intrigued by the veggie bases foods you recommended as I use some veggie wafers, and veggie pellets. I may try out the fluval and nls food based on your recommendation. I know you have linked big als as a local source for acquiring these foods, but I am curious if you might be able to recommend a location to acquire these in larger quantities for a fair price? Seems you have done your research....

so the last batch was a fail. The babies hatched, but died instantly... it was very heartbreaking. Last night the male and female we're cuddling on a breeding cone. This morning I came down to a male guarding eggs. Every time he has chosen a site, it has been out in the open. I think if they are not successful this time, I will have to move him to a 20 gallon breeder with his ladies, and try it again with some privacy. I think I may be able to house him with smaller rainbows, since the eggs are so large....

I need to get a power meter for my plugs... the cost of power alone will ensure I won't have to pay tax lol!

I have had a very successful breeding program this fall, which has led to quite a few people coming to see the fishroom and purchase fish. I didn't really think about it, but I have the feeling that there are limits to the amount of private sales an individual can generate before they have to pay income tax or collect GST (I live in Alberta) I have also contemplated getting into the import business at some point, as the only way I can get some species of fish I want is to order a whole box (50-100 fish). When I discuss these ideas with my fiancée (BBA degree) she gets a concerned look on her face and advises me to incorporate myself. I don't really have a problem with it, but I'm just wondering if anybody is up on the laws regarding fish sales.

The eggs started hatching yesterday. Now time to wait for the yolks sacs to be used up.

Thanks jay for the insight. I'll go get some of that...

i tried the diy version first, but I used the wrong foam. I had 30ppm porret foam and I learned right after building my fry kit that angel wigglers are 30ppm or smaller. End result is I had almost a total wipe on a large spawn, mostly suffocated inside the bottom sponge... looks like I have to either order more foam, or the kits... the foam is really hard to get.

Does anyone know if I can get these in canada. I'm trying to avoid paying $45 in shipping I'd I can avoid it...

Woah, those are nice fish! I sure hope this breeder releases some whomever he is, because I'm pretty sure he's collecting eggs already...

The male spawned again last Friday and today I can start to see the larva moving around within the egg casing. Here is a picture of dad with the eggs A picture if the hatching bucket with viable farlowella eggs and rineloricaria eggs. And finally a picture of the first fry. I am down to three, however they are doing great I think I'll be moving them to a larger tank soon

The literature on these states that the eggs should hatch in about 5 days. This morning, I witnessed the first two fry being released from their shells. They still very much look like an egg, with the exception that there is a larva tied to the outside. I did a water change with pure ro water this morning hoping this would help with hatching. Here is a picture of the hatching bucket. It's contains a mix of farlowella and rineloricaria eggs

Pm'ed

this is indeed great news. I will contact Geleen via email.

Have you made any progress with this? Im really interested in keeping this strain going in Alberta. If you need some tips or pointers, feel free to come down to my fishroom and ask as many questions as you'd like. I am currently artificially raising M. affinis "Pagwi" but the parents have also laid eggs throughout the tank, resulting in fry appearing sporadically everywhere. I also did this with the M. sp. red laser "wapogo". Let me know on both counts, this fish is really cool!

I didn't last time. I usually just leave them alone until they hatch.