Page 67 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

BREEDING IN AQUARIUMS 65

SPAWNING TANKS FOR EGG-LAYING SPECIES Cave-spawners
These fish require an
The spawning tank must reflect the breeding habits of the fish it is artificial cave, such as a
to house. Include plants, among which the female can seek refuge clean, partially buried
if the male becomes aggressive. If the adults are likely to eat their clay flowerpot or a
section of coconut shell.
eggs or fry, they should be transferred back to the main aquarium Alternatively, you can
after spawning, leaving the eggs to hatch on their own. Filtration build a cave out of rocks.
in this type of tank is gentle, so it is best not to feed the adults Cave-spawners may also
while they are in the tank, to avoid polluting the water unnecessarily. breed successfully in the
main aquarium.
Eggs fall into the gaps Fine-leaved plants, such as Java Substrate can be aquarium Flowerpot
between the marbles Moss, provide cover for females peat or sphagnum moss provides shelter
Egg-scatterers Egg-buriers
A layer of marbles on the A soft peaty substrate is
tank floor will help to essential for fish that
prevent the adult fish bury their eggs. After
from eating the eggs, spawning, the peat,
which will fall between complete with eggs, can
the marbles and out of be removed and stored
reach. Alternatively, a in a warm, dark place.
mesh net across the tank Immersing the peat in
can be used to let the tank water again will
eggs fall safely through. cause the eggs to hatch.
Spawning mop consists of Bubble-nest anchored to Glass lid protects
synthetic yarn attached to a float large aquarium plant the nest
Egg-depositors Bubble-nest builders
Fish that deposit eggs on A glass lid will prevent
plant leaves can be drafts from damaging
persuaded to lay them the nest or chilling the
on an artificial spawning eggs and keep the air
mop instead. With fish over the water warm and
that spawn over several humid. Provide tall plants
days, the mop can be to which the nest can be
replaced regularly and attached. These fish may
the eggs hatched safely also breed successfully
in a separate tank. in the main aquarium.

together and remain in relatively close contact. Alternatively, As spawning time
you can avoid these problems altogether by buying a proven approaches, a female
spawning pair from an aquarium store. egg-layer will swell
with eggs. She will also
The males of some larger species, such as a number of the start to attract the
Central American cichlids, will become aggressive at spawning attention of mature
time. If the female is harassed by her intended partner, she males. After the first
may lose her breeding condition, and it may be necessary to successful spawning,
she is likely to spawn
remove the male for a period of time to enable her to recover. again within weeks.
Incompatibility is not something to be taken lightly—in Non-spawning
female Rosy Barb
extreme cases, a male may bully a female to death.
Female Rosy Barb
Conditioning your fish swollen with eggs
Having chosen your breeding stock, the next task is to
condition them for spawning. This involves feeding them well,
especially with protein-rich foods, so that they produce plenty
of healthy sperm and eggs. For those egg-laying species that
spawn seasonally in nature, it may also involve altering
conditions in the tank to mimic the environmental changes
that occur in the wild. With Amazonian species, which breed
when heavy rains raise the water level in their habitat,

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