A. bitaeniata Spawn

[svtcanuk]

I mentioned this in my other thread about Conductivity and Fertilizers but thought it would be best to start a new thread on the topic. Yesterday morning I noticed that my bitaeniata had spawned and by 10:00 last night all of the eggs had dropped and were wiggling on the gravel. Is it possible knowing this to estimate the date of spawning? Also by this morning I could not see any movement but Mom was keeping guard of the cave and blocking the view. How long from wiggling on the gravel to free swimming? Water temp is 25.5°C pH is 6.8 and conductivity is, well lest say it's not good :biggrin: but it's slowly getting better.

 

[Mike Wise]

It typically takes 3 day for the eggs to hatch, so your A. bitaeniata spawned 4 days ago. The larvae become freeswimming fry 4 days after hatching. Now is a good time to consider what you will feed the fry. I recommend new hatched brine shrimp.

 

[svtcanuk]

Thanks mike, BBS is the plan, how long will they live off of the egg sack before needing additional nutrition?

 

[matti2uude]

Very nice!

 

[Mike Wise]

Thanks mike, BBS is the plan, how long will they live off of the egg sack before needing additional nutrition?

Once the fry become freeswimming (about 7 days after the eggs are laid) they should be fed.

 

[svtcanuk]

Mike, do you have any advice for using decapsulated eggs vs live BBS?

 

[Mike Wise]

For feeding I prefer live bbs. The fry tend to be attracted to movement. Non-live foods aren't as interesting to them. Even adults love them, so there isn't much chance of overfeeding unless you REALLY overfeed. I've never used decapsulated eggs. If you mean decapsulating live eggs before hatching, then normal brine shrimp eggs are easy to hatch anyway. Decent quality eggs (properly maintained) are a more economical option, too.

 

[svtcanuk]

Well it looks like this spawn was a bust. The female has started to stray from her cave and I can't see any fry, in fact I haven't seen any since the first night they dropped and were wiggling on the gravel. Hopefully I have better luck next time. The good thing is that I have lots of baby brine for my pair of Panduro

 

[svtcanuk]

Well surprise surprise, sometimes it's nice to be wrong.

 

[Bilbo]

Congrats

What a great thing to be wrong about.

 

[svtcanuk]

I've noticed something strange looking at the photos I've taken. The second lateral band is completely gone when she is in full breeding colors, is that normal?