Panda loach success!

[atmichaels]

These guys are really growing! I've counted 16 fry from the October group and they are 16-18 mm today. The NEW fry I saw today are only about 5 or 6 mm.

Austen

[NancyD]

Whoo Hoo!

[atmichaels]

Short video update. The fry are about 6 weeks old now and I tried to zoom in on one of the new 2-week olds.

http://youtu.be/Rcg_V3x-9D0


Austen

[NancyD]

So how many fry are there now? From, what, 3 or 4 batches, I lost count? Awesome, Austen!

[atmichaels]

So how many fry are there now? From, what, 3 or 4 batches, I lost count? Awesome, Austen!

At least 24 from 3 groups. Thanks! I stare at this tank several times a day and every few days I count more and more fry. The newly hatched ones are really good at hiding!

I think I may have witnessed spawning behavior yesterday morning between the largest female and one of the males. They kept going nose-to-nose and then circling each other. I tried to get a video but they were not interested in displaying for the camera. I didn't get to see how it ended as I had to leave for work.

I really must get another tank set up (aw shucks, right?)

Austen

[atmichaels]

http://youtu.be/IXFI4nvjI2o

[atmichaels]

They've been spawning pretty regularly since the fall. I've never seen eggs but I have watched the male dig out the nest ( pic below).



This shows the fry/juvies from at least 4 different spawns. The newest, only a couple of days old, is right about dead center.



The tank is getting pretty full, time to start moving some on.

Austen

[NancyD]

Great pics, Austen! I love the breeding pit, & of course the many sizes of fry, so cute!

I've only seen them for sale here, well, once as juvies, then as they aged into adults, & juvies at another lfs 1 time. Hopefully you & other hobby breeders will help bring the astronomical prices down! Hint, hint, I do come to Mich (Lansing area) at least twice a year! Put me on the short list, lol.

[atmichaels]

Thanks, Nancy! I'm about an hour and a half from Lansing but let me know the next time you're in Michigan and I'm sure we can work out a meet. I'm more than happy to share. I'm passionate about conservation so I'd be thrilled to see more people successfully breeding these, and other, loaches.

Austen

[atmichaels]

So this is what they look like before getting any color.

[NancyD]

Wow, cool to find such a little fry & get good pics