Response to Panda Spawnings

[BigJohnW@webtv.net (John Wubbolt)]

Ok Mike

Im jumping in here...... First off.. I need to be flown out to the
islands myself to see your set up.  I can only then give you my "Expert"
advice. 

Ok so i dont have any expert advice..   but i can share with you my
experiences.    Nijsenni can be very tempermental.    I have personally
found that they spawn better in Pair set ups with no other fish in the
tank.  No dithers, no extra males, no extra females.    They will just
kill off everyone else until there is just a pair left.   I have never
had a problem putting any two fish together, not needing to let them
naturally Pair Off.    Boy meets Girl is normally all it takes.   But
They are fussy about the water.   I've read where they need very soft
very acidic water to spawn..... ah humbug!!!!   What they do need is
water that is very clean.   I have successfully spawned them in 7.0 pH
water as well as 5.5 pH water.   Of course my hardness was less then
50ppm each time.   TDS might be a big part in sucessful spawnings.    I
have had them spawn in water with temps in the Mid 70's as well as water
with temps in the mid 80's.
Personally I prefer to set them up in 80F water.

Tank size isnt important here either.   I mainly use 10 gallon tanks,
with several terra cota flower pots, bare bottom and a hydro sponge
filter.   Do cover the tank well though.    For some reason Nijsenni
like to jump!!   Dont ask me why , but i have had a few crispy critters
on the floor from time to time.   Now i cover the tank like i would with
a Rivulus Killie tank,,,, NO space anywhere for them to get out!!   I
have used 20 gallon long tanks before but found the best tank is a 15
gallon sized tank.   I have had them spawn in a 5 gallon tank and raise
fry!   Alot depends on age and size of the breeders.
Younger smaller breeders will do fine in smaller quarters where as
larger Adults do better in the 15 gallon tank.    I dont know if you
have ever seen a truly adult Male Nijsenni but they can get rather
large.   3 Inch males SL ( not countin the caudal fin) is reachable
size.   NO Lying!!

   Foods for them is fairly easy.... I feed BBS to the adults as well as
juvies and fry.   I also use frozen blood worms, tetra color bits,
daphnia and flake food as my varied diet.   Flake food is for my busy or
lazy feeding days!!!   But they readily take flake.   I wouldnt try to
use flake as my primary food though!

Once they spawn, you have to watch the pair.   Some times males tend to
be egg eaters.   If this is the case , pull the male, Mom will be fine
with the kids!!!    If She becomes fry eaters... well then Yank both
parents once the fry become wigglers.... OH boy..... Flame shields Up!!
But Ive raised fry both ways, with parents, with one parent and
artificially away from the parents....  If you must do them
artificially, remove the parents and use the spawning tank as your
rearing tank.   For some reason , i never had good luck moving fry out
of spawning tank until they were at least 1 week old past free swimming
stage.   I prefer to just use the spawning tank as my rearing tank.
Moving parents is easier then moving babies.    

Ok sorry for rambling on here.   Hope this helps you out!!

John

Ps.. We have had frost on the ground here in Tupper lake already.....
Fall is here!!!   Leaves are looking great already!!



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