Page 70 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

68 FRESHWATER FISH: BREEDING

In most species, rivalry between males is nonlethal;
however, male Siamese Fighting Fish are likely to injure
one another so must be kept apart.

yourself by placing a glass jar containing chopped
lettuce and water in bright light, perhaps on a windowsill.
After a few days, the water will turn pinkish as it becomes
colonized by infusoria. Small amounts of this water can
then be sprayed on the surface of the rearing tank. As the
fry grow, they can progress to newly hatched brine shrimp.
Larger fry can be given brine shrimp as a first food and
subsequently small Daphnia and ground flakes.
Young fish need to be fed two, three, or even four
times a day. They are not particularly mobile at this
stage, so it is vital that food is evenly distributed
throughout the tank and within easy reach; otherwise
their growth will be checked. The sponge filter, which
should be mature by this stage, will have tiny edible
particles on it that the young fish can nibble. The gentle
currents that such a filter creates, running off an airline,
will help to waft floating food scraps toward the fry.

Dangers of overpopulation
Successful breeding can leave you with a large number of fry
BRINE SHRIMP to care for. Regular partial water changes, perhaps as often
Most young fish, even those that are vegetarian in later life, need as once a day, will be vital to make sure that the water quality
animal protein during the first week or so after they become free- does not deteriorate as a result of accumulated waste and
swimming. The most popular rearing food for fry in home uneaten food. As the fry increase in size, a more efficient
aquariums is the larvae of brine shrimp (Artemia species), which are filtration system can be incorporated into their tank.
also known as nauplii. It is important to set up your brine shrimp Eventually, the fry will need to be either moved to a much
hatchery in advance so that you can be sure of having enough
food for the arrival of the young fish. larger aquarium or divided between several different tanks,
to give them sufficient growing space. Overcrowding the fish
Brine shrimp eggs Hatch the eggs in may stunt their growth and induce stress-related illnesses, as
are sold in airtight a breeding bottle. well as making it more likely that there may be a sudden, and
containers. The eggs Add saltwater
absorb atmospheric (made with marine potentially fatal, decline in water quality.
moisture readily, so salt) and oxygenate
avoid exposing them it via an airstone
to the air before you and airline. The Specialist requirements
need to use them. bottle can be Some fry have special rearing needs. A rearing tank for the fry
Very few will hatch attached to the side
if they become of the tank with of gouramis (see pp.109–113) and related species needs to be
too moist. suckers if necessary. kept covered so that the air immediately above the surface is
at approximately the same
temperature as the water.
Hatching takes This is because the fish have
about a day at anabantoid organs, which
77°F (25°C). Sieve
the nauplii from allow them to breathe air
their empty shells. directly. If the air above the
Before giving the
nauplii to the fry,
dip them briefly in Prepared fry foods in liquid form
dechlorinated are invaluable for feeding tiny fry, as
freshwater to wash well as larger young, such as those of
off salty residues. various anabantoids, whose mouths
are too small to take brine shrimp.

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