breeding fish

Hia everyone, havent been on for a few days but nice to be here again . I was just wondering, apart from the usual livebearers that breed almost constantly, which would be a good fish to start breeding? I have a sort of thought that I would like to have a go at breeding something that wasnt as easy as a guppy, but not impossibly hard either! What do you think?

Kribensis or Bristlenose Plecs both breed fairly easily and most LFS will give store credit for them.

I wish I had a male/female pair of BN's, it would be great to see them breed, they would be so cute!

Here is a pic of a new bn baby, not mine but someone I know

Oh that is so cute!!

When you realize the size of a cucumber slice, you can see how tiny it is.

Oh that is lovely! What sort of ratio (male to females) do you have to have with them do you know? I dont know anything about their breeding habits, but it would be great to have a breeding pair.

I'm starting to have silly ideas!!!

well the guy who's pic i've used said he got his to breed at 3"/4". He turned the temp down to 72 and next day they had spawned, he got about 70+ 1" fry

70 fry . Do they lay eggs MC? I presume they do as they couldn't have that many babies could they?

yes they lay eggs

someone i know, who i've had some fish off...one of her malawi cichlids had 107 babies, all in her mouth

Oh he poor thing, that must have been awful for it! Amazing though isnt it?

It's mad! I was amazed watching the fuelleborni spitting out 17. God knows what i'd be like with that many, i'd sound like i've got tourettes

Now that I would like to see

How do you know the difference between a male and female BN? Both of mine look the same but I dont know which sex they are.

The male tends to grow distinctive bristles on its face hence the name. The female has very short or no bristles at all.

My bristlies have spawned twice, the second spawn was smaller but not much. THe first lot we swapped about 35 for other fish at my LFS and sold 30 and STILL have about 20 left! There are probably another 50 of the 2nd spawn...

Diana one male and one female will spawn but I know some people keep 2 females with 1 male. The male protects the eggs and fry until they start to come out of his cave. All they need is a dark cave or hollow which is a fairly tight fit.

Lord, didnt know they had that many babies, would be great to see that though. I suppose you would have to have the breeding pair in a seperate tank would you indi, to protect the fry? do they need special feeding, being algae eaters mainly, what would that be?

I was just going to ask that driver :lol: Looks like we'll have to wait for indi to come back :lol:

Hi Guys!

Both times my spawns have happened in my community tank but I have moved dad, cave and eggs before they hatch.

Because they were in the community they got a very varied diet - plec wafers, flake, veggies such as courgette, sinking catfish pellets, bloodworm (pellets and frozen) and the odd prawn or two which they love. I think this is the key - a mostly vegetarian diet with a bit of meat now and then.

I didn't do anything different to trigger spawning but cooler water changes can trick them into thinking it is breeding season.

It is very rewarding and the fry are super cute! I'll stick a pic in my gallery of some.

Indi, what size tank would be needed as a breeding tank for them. I have two males BN's in my main tank, but have a spare tank just sitting and doing nothing. It's 2ftx1ftx1ft.

Would it be possible to put one of the males in there and get him a little lurve interest ?

No, on second thoughts scratch that idea, what would I do with the female when the male is raising the brood?

More learning is required

LOL, you can leave her there, or simply put her back in the community until you want more...