Ever thought of breeding your fish?
Some fish give birth direct to fully-formed live baby fish. These are called viviparous. From them, many interesting cross-breeds, or hybrids have been evolved.
Others lay eggs first in the normal way; which can be adhesive or not and can be scattered or carefully guarded. The nests vary; including floating air bubbles with the eggs individually wrapped in these hygienic containers.
In breeding, the problems are not in the mating and spawning but in rearing the fry. This is one of the main reasons it is so much easier to breed the viviparous kinds as the eggs are fertilized and hatched inside the mother’s body. Thus it passes the danger stage when born.
Breeding problems differ between fish. There is no particular season for the breeding of tropicals because it is nearly always possible to provide ideal conditions, the supply of live foods and sunlight.
The first thing to consider when we intend to breed is the breeding tank itself. The breeding tank is often shallow; perhaps 15 cm – 22 cm deep. It however should not be too small, not less than 35 cm long by 20 cm high and 25 cm wide as many fish get nervous and excited when confined in a small space.
A large breeding tank is not necessary although it is essential for the successful rearing of the young. Overcrowding can retard the growth and strength of fish, cause illness and destroy the weaker fish. For rearing too, a deeper tank, around 30 cm is advantageous since it encourages the development of better specimens.
When plants are being used, the planted side of the breeding tank should always be towards the light. This will enable the fry to have hiding places.
Some fish give birth direct to fully-formed live baby fish. These are called viviparous. From them, many interesting cross-breeds, or hybrids have been evolved.
Others lay eggs first in the normal way; which can be adhesive or not and can be scattered or carefully guarded. The nests vary; including floating air bubbles with the eggs individually wrapped in these hygienic containers.
In breeding, the problems are not in the mating and spawning but in rearing the fry. This is one of the main reasons it is so much easier to breed the viviparous kinds as the eggs are fertilized and hatched inside the mother’s body. Thus it passes the danger stage when born.
Breeding problems differ between fish. There is no particular season for the breeding of tropicals because it is nearly always possible to provide ideal conditions, the supply of live foods and sunlight.
The first thing to consider when we intend to breed is the breeding tank itself. The breeding tank is often shallow; perhaps 15 cm – 22 cm deep. It however should not be too small, not less than 35 cm long by 20 cm high and 25 cm wide as many fish get nervous and excited when confined in a small space.
A large breeding tank is not necessary although it is essential for the successful rearing of the young. Overcrowding can retard the growth and strength of fish, cause illness and destroy the weaker fish. For rearing too, a deeper tank, around 30 cm is advantageous since it encourages the development of better specimens.
When plants are being used, the planted side of the breeding tank should always be towards the light. This will enable the fry to have hiding places.
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