Breeding Seasons?

[chris@yen]

Hi fellas,

me again. Just wondering, what are the discus breeding seasons/cycles? The same pair that just lost their hatchlings last week have just laid another lot of eggs?

Is this normal behaviour, or am I just lucky? Will they keep laying eggs so regularly?

I haven't had a chance to isolate them into another tank. Should I remove the other fish, or will that scare the pair into eating the eggs?

Thanks.

Chris.

[dreamer]

once they breed ...they will keep breeding every week or so ...

[chris@yen]

once they breed ...they will keep breeding every week or so ...

Kewl! How long will this keep going for? Should I get them a dedicated tank and just let them keep pumping out the fry?

[Sean]

Yeah, I agree with week to 10 days after they have eaten fry/eggs (if your pair are like mine!). I have noticed that if they do not 'come in' to spawn within this time assuming there are frequent w/c etc., if I take out the spawning pipe (I use a PVC pipe) fpr a couple of days - give it a good wash and return it to the tank then the fish spawn either later that day or the next day. Good luck with your pair.

[jim from sydney]

Sean.......do you have more luck with a PVC pipe or terra cotta pots??? PVC is cheaper and looks better too i think.

Jim.

[Sean]

Hi Jim

I did a little expt - wouldn't stand up to too much scrutiny though- where I put an upturned terracotta plant pot and a PVC pipe in the same aquarium and the pair chose the PVC pipe - trick is to use something as a top - I used a screw cap from a 20lt drum. Otherwise the fry at wriggler stage fall into the pipe. Also I think that not leaving the pipe in all the time is a good idea - especially for irregular spawners. My fish prefered the heater cover to a pot one time, which got me thinking about the PVC pipe.
All the best
Sean

[chris@yen]

They did it again... they dropped eggs in the community tank for the third time this month.

I feel so bad for not getting them their own space... i've just been so busy...

Do you think partitioning a 4foot tank will work? Or will it stress the pair too much?

Thanks for your advice.

[Sean]

Partitioning is worth a try - it is exciting when you get your first batch of fry (even if they end up dinner for the parents)

[jim from sydney]

Sean......these PVC tubes what size in diam. do you think is best.... and how do you keep them in place in your tank, after-all they need to be able to be removed easily for cleaning????
regards.....Jim

[Sean]

Hi Jim
I use a PVC pipe approx 5 cm in diameter. There would be many ways of getting the pipe to stand up securely in the tank, I use an upturned very small terracotta flower pot as a base and a drum lid as a top - looks pretty ugly but does the trick - there are caps you can get from Bunnings which would look better