GBR's Ready to Spawn!? Lots of Pics!

[Cobaltskyy]

So I have had my pair of GBR's for about 8 months now...they were juvies from my lfs.

About 2 weeks ago I decided to follow some tips I found online, I added a semi-flat rock, slowly raised the temp to ~ 82F, been feeding FW variety frozen food 2-3 x's a week and daily for the last 3 days.

*Continued below...

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The female was somewhat dull colored before but tonight when I came home she is highly colored and has the tell-tale PINK belly!!

Any suggestion or breeding tips would be great.

Last time I checked I believe I was at 0, 0, 5.5, 7.5Ph

10 gal tank with a couple Nerite Snails.

[neo-2FX]

If they are becoming more active and doing their usual courting dance they will be spawning soon! I would pick that rock for the spawn site. Or even the sand, they might dig in the gravel. You're doing well with the variety of food, this will bring on the breeding.

Good luck, and don't forget sometimes these fish (bought from lfs) will eat their fry the first couple times so don't panic, but if they are a good pair they will look after their fry, hopefully they do!

[Cobaltskyy]

this is sooo exciting! this is my first time breeding GBR's...dancing & kissing has begun! Anyone know how long the courting is? This is sooo fascinating I didn't want to turn the light on and disturb them...

[Hholly]

Congrats!

[Cobaltskyy]

Thanks! Does anyone have advice for feeding the fry? I wanted to do the boiiled egg yolks.

[absolutangel04]

I like the boiled egg yolks for fry personally. I recommend still using other foods as well, but they LOVE the yolks and its really easy for them to eat. Be careful though, it really doesn't take a lot of it.

[Cobaltskyy]

thanks i read about pea size amount of yolk in a little bit of water? with an eye dropper? what other foods do you recommend? infusoria i read you can cultivate by putting a dried leaf in the tank...is that it?

[absolutangel04]

Depending on how many fry, you may want to use even less than a pea sized amount. But, its easy to start with less and then add more.
I have not used infusoria. I use Hikari first bites, egg yoke, and crushed flakes for my fry. Its always worked out well so far. Yes, the eye dropper is a good idea so all of it goes in the right place.

[Cobaltskyy]

any idea how long the courting ritual lasts before they spawn? i have never bred egg layers! this is so exciiting to me!

[neo-2FX]

Hahaha it is exciting. If shes getting really red it will be soon!