Post by danny on Aug 5, 2009 6:16:06 GMT -5
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
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 ;D):
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.
www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254678&page=3
just look for the egg photo. ;D
-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.
on top is the female,darker in color and fatter
in front is the male
;D
first is of course to get a pair of bichirs.
how to sex them?,look at their anal fins
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 ;D):
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.
www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254678&page=3
just look for the egg photo. ;D
-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.
on top is the female,darker in color and fatter
in front is the male
;D
