| For about two weeks before you introduce your pair they need conditioning using live foods This is to get them ready for the days ahead when they will not be fed. Feeding during spawning will most often result in the eggs being mistaken for a yummy treat. They healthier and more primed they aare, the better the offspring. After conditioning your pair it is time to introduce them. First put the male in the tank. Float him in a cup for about 25 minutes so the temperature in the cup slowly reaches the same temperature as the tank. After that tip the cup so that some of the tank water mixes with the cup water. Let him go and allow him to swim around and get used to the place for about an hour. Don't put the female in right away. He'll probably only kill her or kick the crap out of her. Or it could be the female doing the butt kicking. I've had males get their fins shreaded by their mate and even killed. Put the female in the clear cup and float her in the tank. The male should notice her right away and start circling the cup flaring. She may flare back, swim with her head down, or get dark vertical stripes on her body (or all three). (The lighter colored females will not have any visible stripes.) At first, though, she may dart around in the cup like crazy until she realizes that he can't get to her. Then she may just ignore him completely. The male may be building his bubble nest returning to flirt with the female from time to time. When the female is showing signs of interest ( She will have the vertical stripes and will be watching him intently as he flares and swims around) release her. sometimes the male will not build a nest until they actually begin to spawn, so if there is no nest yet don't worry. At this point you must watch them very carfully. They may chase eachother around viciously. As long as they don't get too rough leave them alone. If it's real serious remove the female at once. If this occures you may want to try another pair or you could wait and try them again another day. |
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