attempt at breeding the weather [loaches]

[Corbin]

(i posted this on my local forums but i figure why not share it here) enjoy...

Weather loaches are by far my favorite fish, and i have always wanted to breed them.. so heres whats happen so far


Jan 24th...
I tested my new heater in my spare tank to make sure the temp wasnt gonna get to hot.
i place the heater in the tank, with in 0.5 degrees of change in temp they start getting frisky. the temp was usualy around 65f, and i slowly climbed it up to about 72f. instantly i noticed the golden ones, the male has picked a female to be his, from what i noticed is they only have one partner, he hasnt left her side and there constantly swimmin insync.

25th...
phyiscal features that have changed are.. there genetal area is sticking out a bit its like that ----<>---- when its usualy just flat. on the female this morning i noticed her belly fatter and the bottom closest to the flat tail part has developed dimples. on the male the top of him right under his dorsal fin have swollen a bit. and there breathing has increased and they are taking glups of air alot more often.

hopfully all goes well and some eggs are laided.
it seems my other 3... the other female golden one and the 2 big spotted ones (i think one is a chinese weather loach and one isnt so i dont think they will mate even though they are female and male, but i havnt seen the female the whole time so i dont know)
i guess since they havnt got a partner they havnt felt the need to spawn. i have noticed the spotted male that is 2times as big as the goldens has been "flirting" with one of them but with no avail.
i have research this alot, and one thing that may help is since mating always happens during the monsoon season if you make "rain" that is 2-3 degrees colder then the tank water it will make them think its monsoon season and induce breed as will the high temp.

heres a video of them nothing to special...


p.s. the male is the one with a darker top and lighter bottom if you can notice the female is more of a soild 1 color

... lol i cant belive i just typed all that


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Eggs just popped out

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i think this post will make this site famous (and the other canadian one ) , cuz i think its a first ever video (couldnt find one anywhere on the internet) though its not too good of quality.. i got the egg release on video but it happen so fast you have to watch carfuly at 1:40 - 1:50 it happens

[shari2]

I'm glad you posted Corbin, thanks!
Unfortunately, I could not see the eggs you were talking about but there activity seemed to be breeding style stuff.

Did this take place before or after doing the 'monsoon' treatment?
How old are the loaches? Did the eggs float, or sink? What color were they?

[Corbin]

this took place after the "monsoon" but they were very breedy like before it.
yeah the eggs are small (to small for the camera), but they were pink, all them sunk into the substrate like they where suppose too, im not sure on the loaches age

[Corbin]

one question... if anyone would know, would they eat the eggs? like when there going through the gravel looking for food.. or would they spit them out like they do rocks?

[sophie]

I'd hazard a guess at them eating the eggs but I wouldn't like to be held to it.

could you put the adults in another tank??

[Corbin]

hopfully there smart enough to figure it out.. i cant move them.. any of my other tanks are to hot or to dangerous. i guess ill plan for it next time

[worton]

Hey,

there are a few eggs in 1:49. I wonder why only a few of them were released. Did you see them spawning again?

Regards.

[shari2]

If you've got eggs in there, and they don't eat them, be very careful with the gravel vac for a while.

Who knows, in a few weeks you may see something wiggling around in there.

[Corbin]

Hey,

there are a few eggs in 1:49. I wonder why only a few of them were released. Did you see them spawning again?

Regards.

this was ether the second or 3rd time thats why there were so few eggs

If you've got eggs in there, and they don't eat them, be very careful with the gravel vac for a while.

Who knows, in a few weeks you may see something wiggling around in there.

they actually take about 3 days to hatch. much sooner theen a few weeks

[shari2]

Yes, but how big are they and will you see them when they are still so small?
I know how hard it is to vacuum around tiny fry, and have sucked up a few myself. That's why I always do it into a clean bucket when cleaning tanks with fry.

[Corbin]

well yeah i guess they wont be that big.. if there eggs are like a pencil tip

i dont gravel vac it often the loaches keep the gravel sparkling, i can dig around in there and the water will stay pretty much clear.