Hi ,
Well done Barb,
I too have bred them quite a few times. I have found that if one attaches a 8 to 10" length of 1" plastic pipe as used for undergravel filters onto their favourite site ( horizontally or slightly raised) with rubber suckers they will often lay their eggs on this pipe,which of course the dad looks after, which then is quite easy to remove to a hatching container or small tank, just before they hatch. I have also "rescued" a batch of eggs/fry laid on the side of the aquarium,after seeing some hatch, scraped the rest of the eggs, from the glass using an aquarium scraper and at the same time , sucking them into another container using a length of plastic pipe.
Sometimes they will also lay on leaves of the Giant Vallis , which is then easy to move, prior to hatching.
The secret to raising these is to use scrapings of algae ( from the aquarium) and spirulina powder when they are free swimming.
In case anyone is interested, there is an article on these Sturisomas on the last issue of Tropical World Magazine ,together with info/pictures from my breeding/spawnings.
Mindy,
Once you have found out whether yours is a male or female, let me know, I should be able to find you one, to make a pair, If you are in London ,any time. The males when they are mature have lots of "whiskers". The females dont have any.
Here is apicture of dad looking after a batch off eggs on the side of the aquarium, which are just about to hatch.
Regards,
Des.