RE: Borelii 'yellow point' spawn

["Stepanova, Lilia" <Lilia.Stepanova@stjude.org>]

	> 1. can a female borelii lay eggs without fertilization by a male
in the
	>  presence of males in the tank?

	They CAN, but the likelyhood is small.  Sometimes males loose all
interest 
	quickly.  I sometimes think they share the genes for fathering
instincts with 
	a certain bipedal mammalian species that has somehow spread its
native 
	habitat all around the world in spite of it.

	I am lucky to have a mutant male species of these bipedal mammals.
He spawns on a regular basis despite his mutation.

	>  2. who should care for eggs - female alone or both parents?

	Depends on the size of the tank.  Over 30 gallons, it is usually
safe to 
	leave the male in the tank.  15-30 gallons, it's about 50/50.  Ten
gallon 
	tanks, definitely pull the male.

	It is 10 gallon, but female is about 1/3 the size of a male and so
far did not try to harass him. I will pull the male steindachneri for sure.
He is a nice specimen, it is pity he has to stay alone without a mate...  SO
far, he has not been aggressive at all, just poking his head out of his cave
to scare fish coming too close, but never tried to defend a larger
territory. 

	Mine won't breed unless I get the water soft and pH set at around
6.2.  I've 
	heard folks say they have spawned them at 8º DH and 7.8 pH, so YMMV.

	Mine are at pH 7, and water of medium softness, 50 ppm whatever it
means.

	


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