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Dec 6, 2009, 4:55am

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Everything Aquatic- Forum Board :: Freshwater Aquariums :: Breeding Fish :: Egg Layers :: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalus)

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Topic: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalus) (Read 76 times)

danny
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how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalus)
« Thread Started on Aug 5, 2009, 6:16am »

uhhm...i just want to share how i got my bichirs to spawn.
first is of course to get a pair of bichirs.
how to sex them?,look at their anal fins

[image]

left is male's...they use their big anal fin to catch the eggs so that they can fertilize them.please note that sexing them will only be possible if the bichir is atleast 7" or bigger.

1.tank set up(what i used but doesn't mean it's recommended

):

i use a 10 gallon tank as the breeder tank(bigger is better)
-it has a sand substrate with a thick bunch of anacharis where the pair would spread/drop the eggs
-i use sponge filter
-i do not know my water parameters except that the ph is 7 or 7.5

2.how to condition and induce the pair to spawn:
-i feed the pair pellets,dried shrimp and occasionally some guppies or small kois(the kois i buy from a local breeder which were culled out,not bred as feeders)
-to induce them into spawning mode,i did atleast 3 small water changes in a week to simulate rain.

3.spawning behaviors
-when you see the male "cupping" his anal fin,it is a good indication that it's mature and getting ready to breed.
-male will start following the female and will gently bump the female's vent or rear end.this can last for days!!
-female will appear bigger and fatter.good sign that she's full of eggs
-when the pair get active and constantly swimming above or near the plants,that means they will be spawning any time soon.
-when they are spawning,the female will usually be still near or above the plant,then the male will bump into her gently until he gets his anal fin "cupped" into the females end.when they part,eggs will scatter.this will usually last for 2 days,mine lasted for 3 days!

3.saving the eggs
-the eggs are big,a bit bigger than cichlid's so it is easy to see.they are adhesive.it is important to spot the eggs the moment they are released.bichirs have a very good sense of smell.even at night they will simply sniff the eggs out and eat them.
-here is photo of an egg.this is not mine.credit goes to mr. terry who is a bichir breeder also who helped me.here is the link.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254678&page=3
just look for the egg photo.

-eggs will hatch after 3 days

so, for now this is all the infos i can share since all the fry died.probably there was an unknown pollution in the tank.

here are some photos of my pair.
[image]

on top is the female,darker in color and fatter

[image]

in front is the male

« Last Edit: Aug 5, 2009, 6:18am by danny »

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i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct.

danny
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #1 on Aug 5, 2009, 6:19am »

this is all according to my observations..

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i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct.

Carl
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #2 on Aug 5, 2009, 9:38am »

Excellent post Danny!

BTW, I added your phobucket album link to our members pictures page:
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carl

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goldenpuon
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #3 on Aug 5, 2009, 12:20pm »

Great observations! The information you posted is nice and detailed. I hope your next spawn of bichir makes it! Best of luck!

« Last Edit: Aug 5, 2009, 12:20pm by goldenpuon »

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Growing bigger everyday, the goldfish are now eating hands instead of fingers. Soon they'll get so big I am eaten whole... All in the name of the love for food....

fishfever
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #4 on Aug 5, 2009, 4:52pm »

Wow, some great notes Danny! Not that I plan to breed these anytime, but it's interesting reading about spawning behaviors of various fish types...

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supi
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #5 on Aug 6, 2009, 4:46pm »

Your observation skills are excellent. Your post was very informative and educational to me. Thanks for posting this.

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danny
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #6 on Aug 8, 2009, 3:58am »

thank you guys..i hope it's not confusing..

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i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct.

danny
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #7 on Aug 8, 2009, 4:09am »

Aug 5, 2009, 9:38am, Carl wrote:

Excellent post Danny!

BTW, I added your phobucket album link to our members pictures page:
Everything Aquatic; Members Pictures

carl

wow!thank you....i gotta fix that album.it's pretty messed up.haha

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i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct.

goldenpuon
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Re: how i got my senegal bichir(polyterus senegalu
« Reply #8 on Aug 8, 2009, 11:16am »

It's not confusing. It is very well written and understandable.

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Growing bigger everyday, the goldfish are now eating hands instead of fingers. Soon they'll get so big I am eaten whole... All in the name of the love for food....

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