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The challenge
Most freshwater tropical fish if kept healthy and fed nutritious foods will reproduce in captivity. Although over-feeding is the number one problem - especially with inexperienced hobbyists - to breed fish they need nutricious food in excess of their normal needs - to condition them to spawn.
Some fish give birth to live fry (mollies, guppies, swordtails & platies) who unravel like anchovies when coming out of the females womb (known as a gravid spot) ... and begin swimming around instantly.
Most fish like tetras, danios & barbs lay eggs however .. many scatter them and others adhere them to a surface such as a plant leaf or rock.
The secrets to getting your fish to spawn are simple.
1) You need a male and a female ... and in some cases several of each or of one or the other (check the literature)
2) Temperature, surroundings, water chemistry and lighting should be as per the literature on the particular species you are attempting to breed.
3) Diet .... the most desirable and nutritious of foods for conditioning fish to spawn are usually live foods .... in some cases earth worms and in others live brine shrimp. There are some excellent dry & frozen foods on the market that will also do the job. A mixture is ideal.
Observe
You must familarize yourself with the breeding habits of your fish, noting any changes in behavior and referring to the literature on your fish for guidance. many fish color up and the female becomes noticeably laden with eggs as they approach breeding condition.
Be prepared
to remove the parents when recommended as some fish eat their fry or eggs
to feed the fry as directed
to remove the fry to a nursery if desirable (have ONLY a sponge filter already running)
to remove other tank inhabitants if needed to protect the fry
NOTE: removing fry ---- use a plastic aquarium hose to siphon them out.
Summary
Assuming your keeping a HEALTHY aquarium in th4e first place, breeding tropical fish is surprisingly easy for many species since they are being bred in captivity and have been for many generations. It is an enjoyable & challenging undertaking and a barometer of your ability as an aquarist to keep your specimens in optimum health. Reading literature on the subject and isolating a target species will facilitate the project for a beginner. Knowing what to anticipate is 90% of the battle. For those who want hand holding and a jump start I can provide broodstock (sexed pairs) and in some cases already proven pairs that have spawned and are fertile. Written guidance is available for a reasonable fee as well.
Most freshwater tropical fish if kept healthy and fed nutritious foods will reproduce in captivity. Although over-feeding is the number one problem - especially with inexperienced hobbyists - to breed fish they need nutricious food in excess of their normal needs - to condition them to spawn.
Some fish give birth to live fry (mollies, guppies, swordtails & platies) who unravel like anchovies when coming out of the females womb (known as a gravid spot) ... and begin swimming around instantly.
Most fish like tetras, danios & barbs lay eggs however .. many scatter them and others adhere them to a surface such as a plant leaf or rock.
The secrets
The secrets to getting your fish to spawn are simple.
1) You need a male and a female ... and in some cases several of each or of one or the other (check the literature)
2) Temperature, surroundings, water chemistry and lighting should be as per the literature on the particular species you are attempting to breed.
3) Diet .... the most desirable and nutritious of foods for conditioning fish to spawn are usually live foods .... in some cases earth worms and in others live brine shrimp. There are some excellent dry & frozen foods on the market that will also do the job. A mixture is ideal.
Observe
You must familarize yourself with the breeding habits of your fish, noting any changes in behavior and referring to the literature on your fish for guidance. many fish color up and the female becomes noticeably laden with eggs as they approach breeding condition.
Be prepared
to remove the parents when recommended as some fish eat their fry or eggs
to feed the fry as directed
to remove the fry to a nursery if desirable (have ONLY a sponge filter already running)
to remove other tank inhabitants if needed to protect the fry
NOTE: removing fry ---- use a plastic aquarium hose to siphon them out.
Summary
Assuming your keeping a HEALTHY aquarium in th4e first place, breeding tropical fish is surprisingly easy for many species since they are being bred in captivity and have been for many generations. It is an enjoyable & challenging undertaking and a barometer of your ability as an aquarist to keep your specimens in optimum health. Reading literature on the subject and isolating a target species will facilitate the project for a beginner. Knowing what to anticipate is 90% of the battle. For those who want hand holding and a jump start I can provide broodstock (sexed pairs) and in some cases already proven pairs that have spawned and are fertile. Written guidance is available for a reasonable fee as well.
Guide created: 03/05/06 (updated 03/05/08)
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