Spawn frequency?

Everything you ever wanted to say about "Zebra luvin", but didn't because you thought everyone would take the mickey! Plus general topics for discussion including everything from what you feed them to your personal experiences.

Post Reply
User avatar
Barbie
Moderator
Posts: 1146
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:07 pm
Location: Spokane, WA, US
Contact:

Spawn frequency?

Post by Barbie »

My male zebras is guarding his third clutch of eggs in less than 2 months. I had 6 fry from the first batch, 7 from the second. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them in there last night! The female was in and out fast enough that I'm not even sure which one is responsible this time. Is this normal? My L260 aren't anywhere near this frequent!

Barbie
[url=http://www.plecos.com][img]http://plecos.com/plecosbanner.gif[/img][/url]
User avatar
Rob
Hypan-guru!
Posts: 1568
Joined: Sun Sep 19, 2004 11:50 am
Location: Southwest Scotland
Contact:

Post by Rob »

It is quite often the female that induces the pawn to take places, i.e one female could spawn in week 2 and leave the eggs with the male, and another could think....hmmmm.fancy a bit of that, and provide another spawn. The closest I have had was 2 days apart, and the old male just kept on doing his bit!!!

Per fish, it is possible, (from what I've seen), for a spawn every 3 - 4 weeks, without any major stress.

If poss, I am only letting the fish spawn( when I say letting this is still a matter of chance to a degree, I just stop doing the floods etc) for 4 - 5 months of the year, may - october otherwiase the females seem to get a little knackered!!! :lol:
User avatar
Barbie
Moderator
Posts: 1146
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:07 pm
Location: Spokane, WA, US
Contact:

Post by Barbie »

Thanks Rob! I wouldn't dream of trying to encourage them to spawn this frequently. This spawn was after a regular water change, no special incentives or anything!

Barbie
[url=http://www.plecos.com][img]http://plecos.com/plecosbanner.gif[/img][/url]
User avatar
Barbie
Moderator
Posts: 1146
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:07 pm
Location: Spokane, WA, US
Contact:

Post by Barbie »

OK, I just pulled the fry from this spawn, and there are 10 this time! His first spawn he had 6, second it was 7, and now this. He's either getting better at it, or the females are getting more into the swing of things. I'm not sure! I'm frankly just happy to see so many happy, healthy little fry. I was careful and did my water change yesterday this time, to try to make sure he has at least a week to rest up!

Barbie
[url=http://www.plecos.com][img]http://plecos.com/plecosbanner.gif[/img][/url]
zeberdy
Obsessed!!
Posts: 132
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:52 pm
Location: Derby
Contact:

Post by zeberdy »

I am so envious of both of you! I have had my gang for quite a while and not one spawn. The queens are always at it but the zebras..NOTHING :( I've tryed playing soft music..dimming the lights etc so what is the secret to getting them to spawn?
User avatar
Barbie
Moderator
Posts: 1146
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 9:07 pm
Location: Spokane, WA, US
Contact:

Post by Barbie »

zeberdy I honestly think they just have to get mature enough. I'd been trying to get mine to spawn with faithful rainy/dry seasons, heavy feedings of live food, and everything I could think of. When I finally gave up, moved them into a larger tank and went back to weekly water changes, they spawned within a month, go figure! I'm not recommending that method, as the stimulation SHOULD work, and I'd had some of my zebras for 3 years at that point, so I'd definitely had them "awhile" ;). I think cave shape is important with them, but if your queens are using your caves and you sized them down for the zebras, you should be fine! At one point I was convinced I owned the only gay colony of zebras on the planet, but it really wasn't so. Yours will get the idea eventually ;)

I had also been keeping them at 88 for months, and then lowered the temp to 84. Once he spawned, I raised it back to 86, and after I take the fry and wait a week or two, I lower the temp again to 84 when I do a water change.

Barbie
[url=http://www.plecos.com][img]http://plecos.com/plecosbanner.gif[/img][/url]
zeberdy
Obsessed!!
Posts: 132
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:52 pm
Location: Derby
Contact:

Post by zeberdy »

Barbie..thanks for that glimmer of hope :D I currently have them at a temp of 86 so I am going to take your tip and drop it to 84 :wink:
Post Reply