My 10G Breeder Tank A - Pics 10/6/06

[Lonewolfblue]

Here's my new GBR's. Will keep them here in QT til I know everything is ok, then will move the 2nd male to it's own breeder tank with a couple females to pair off.

Both males...


Female...


The pair...


The pair...


The single male...

[onah]

how big will these guys get?

[Lonewolfblue]

My biggest is about an inch and a half, or a little bigger. They say GBR's get to 3 inches, but I believe that's in the wild. I've never seen any bigger than 2 inches in an aquarium. And they are community fish, and can be placed with any community fish. And a pair does excellent in a 10G as well. But with the way it's looking, I may be able to do 2 pairs per 10G. Will see how things go first.

[sarah5775]

Those are some of the most beautiful fish I have ever seen. Are they difficult? I don't have room for any more fish, but maybe in a few years when some of my tetras have lived out their lives.....

[Lonewolfblue]

They are fairly difficult. They need very good water conditions. But if you have good conditions, they are so easy to breed, lol. The hardest part is keeping the fry alive. A small 10% pwc is enough to wipe out over half of them.

[BrianNY]

Good job LWB. A spawning tank is an essential element of successful breeders.

How about providing some water params. Temp? pH? DH? A TDS meter is also a great tool for helping and understanding soft water species.

[Lonewolfblue]

Temp 81 degrees
ph 7.4-7.6 (tap only)
No CO2 (not planted)
gh 60 (3.36 degrees)
kh 60 (3.36 degrees)
ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate <20ppm
Lighting is incandescent bulbs
Air pump and sponge filters rated for 20G

[Lonewolfblue]

Well, the male has been standing his ground firmly and does not like the female. The female hasn't been looking good, and today she's just floats around in the current and swims awkwardly. She's not going to make it through the night. Also, the male attacked her and took a chunk out of her head. Going to put her to sleep. Now to figure out how to catch one of the females in my 29G, lol. I tried earlier, no success. Just too many plants. Might try at night with a flashlight.

Edit:
Female passed away today. Was barely breathing, and when I removed her, looked her over. Gills had ick as well, and the eyes were black and looked like full of blood. So I euthenized her.

I also added 2 females from my 29G. Was tricky, but I got them. The male doesn't look too happy, lol. Keeps harrassing them. Hopefully he'll pick a mate from the 2 of them. The last time I did it, it only took a day and a half, lol. Then I removed the other female. Hopefully it won't take long here. All 3 fish seem very healthy, even the male. And he puts on a show, lol. Thinks he's king of the roost.

[Lonewolfblue]

Update:

I do believe I have a pair forming as we speak. The male is sticking close to one of the females, and any time the other female comes near them, they both chase her around the tank, lol. will give it another day or 2, to be sure, and then move her back to the 29G. Then all will be set, 3 pairs.

Here's my guy with ick, and his girlfriend.....

[Lonewolfblue]

Has anyone had GBR's lay eggs in a cave or fake rock? This pair keeps going in and out of the rock cave, back and forth. Wonder if they have eggs and are taking turns fanning them. Sometimes they are both inside, but usually just 1, and they swap back and forth.