GBR

[SparKy697]

Does anybody have experience with buying, raising, and breeding GBRs?

I have been reading the profiles here and info on other sites. The one thing that most sources agree on is that it is wise to try and find a local breeder and buy your fish from them.

So far my favorite LFS have little to no help to offer. I'd really like to hear any input from people with first hand experience on finding these fish.

TIA

[Gillie]

Try to find a place that deals with tank bred Rams that are spawned and raised in tap water, if you can't find them at you lfs check out wetthumbaquatics.com they have excellent Rams spawned in tap water, that is if you aren't opposed to ordering them. The pair that I bought lived six years and spawned hundreds of times, no problem.

[SparKy697]

Looks like a good place to buy fish. I like the family feel.

So far nothing local looks even a little promising. I have a number of weeks until I am ready but this looks like a good resource. Thank you.

[JDogg]

Originally Posted by SparKy697

Looks like a good place to buy fish. I like the family feel.

So far nothing local looks even a little promising. I have a number of weeks until I am ready but this looks like a good resource. Thank you.

if you have a local aquarium club that is the best place i have found to get in touch with local breeders....i have tried LFS GBR and they do not do well... i local breeder i know just had a pair spawn a couple a weeks ago i hope to try some from her when the get big enough...

[Jchillin]

Originally Posted by JDogg

if you have a local aquarium club that is the best place i have found to get in touch with local breeders....i have tried LFS GBR and they do not do well... i local breeder i know just had a pair spawn a couple a weeks ago i hope to try some from her when the get big enough...

I agree wholeheartedly with this. Local breeder's are very good at this. I thought I'd mention that there is a profile on GBR's, which includes a section on breeding. Take a look.

[crazyred]

I'm having seriously awesome luck breeding the rams I bought on Aqubid. I have one male from a spawn that I put in my 29 with the lone female, and I expect them to spawn, and I have like 10 babies growing out in a 10. Get your rams off of Aquabid....they are tank bred and raised and you will have good luck from there. Lokk for a seller by the name of Tarmack. His rams are awesome!!!

[SparKy697]

That's great info!

I will check that seller out for sure.

Thank you.

[crazyred]

No problem, I don't mind passing on the success I've had. I got 3 rams from him, 2 females and 1 male...the male picked his mate and I had to move the lone female to my 29. Since then, my pair has spawned more times than I could possibly count. In hard water to boot. You can't go wrong with Tarmack.....he's on Aquabid A LOT.

[SparKy697]

You can't go wrong with Tarmack.....he's on Aquabid A LOT.

Ok Red, I emailed Tarmak and he said that he would have some ready in three weeks.

My plan was to get this tank all set up and get the plants thriving before I put any fish in it. If I get everything done this weekend, I think the plants should be doing quite well by then.

My question: Can I put 6 GBRs in a 55 gallon heavily planted tank and rely on a silent cycle? Is this too risky for this species? Is 6 too many and if I end up with more than one pair, could they co-exist in one tank?

[bs6749]

I had 4 spawning pairs of GBR's in my 55 gallon tank but I would only recommend 3 pair at most. I wanted 3 pair but I was sent an extra. I have had all 4 spawn at once (within hours) and there was a LOT of territory dipsputes going on.

I just saw a really good auction on aquabid and it is for 8 GBR's. It is $50 with shipping included, which is very reasonable IMO seeing as how they go for $8 apiece at the LFS and are not as good quality wise as the ones listed on aquabid. Here is a link to the auction if you are interested: http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/aucti...ids&1170970190