Re: Response to Panda Spawnings

["Mach Fukada" <fukada@aloha.net>]

Actually,  spawning isn't a problem.  They spawn every few weeks provided I
feed them.   It helps to have excellent water right out of the tap.  TDS
meter reads 10 ppm,  hardness I can't say as it isn't measurable, etc.  I
actually have to buffer it well to prevent pH crashes if I miss a water
change.  I have gotten them to hatch and wiggle, but the parents always eat
their spawn.  Was wondering along these lines of the blue rams spawning and
parental care if they needed more hiding spaces to be comfy.  But never the
less, I was hoping for artificial rearing/hatching conditions so I could do
a cookbook thing for my kids...
MTF
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Wubbolt" <BigJohnW@webtv.net>
To: <apisto@listbox.com>
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2001 6:12 PM
Subject: Response to Panda Spawnings


>
> 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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