How often should we let females spawn

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khblock
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How often should we let females spawn

Post by khblock »

Ok, I know for most this may sound like a stupid question with the answer being as often as possible. I’ve seen a thread posted how often females can spawn, although I can’t find it at the moment. But I don’t believe I’ve seen a post concerning how often they should.

Should we take the female out and let her rest between spawnings? Is forcing her body to produce eggs over and over again physically stressful? Just because she can spawn often shouldn’t be reason enough to do it. Biologically all animals can reproduce quite often but it does takes it toll. And, what about the father, he has to care for the little ones days on end. It’s quite stressful for him too. Shouldn’t he deserve a vacation too?

How much damage from stress can we expect to come from back-to-back spawns on both parents and fry.

The reason I ask, I just found three fry about a week and a half ago. They are just fine. Now my female is back in the cave with my male. Now this is very good news and I’m happy but if this continues at this rate we could be looking at a new spawn monthly (one could only wish, right ).

Most people may think I’m crazy for being asking this question. My background is in Healthcare & Information Systems. My medical background gives me concern for the welfare of the fish. Yes, I do want lots of spawns but most of all I want healthy fish. Any thoughts?
Last edited by khblock on Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Barbie »

Fish aren't hormonally driven the way people are. When she needs a break and can't maintain condition enough, her system will take a break. No worries. They are geared to produce the maximum amount of fry in a specific season as they can to ensure their species survival. I definitely wouldn't worry. If you get 6 months out and she's still doing the same thing, come back and ask then ;).

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Post by khblock »

Thank you Barbie. I feel better. You are the best.

I can control spawning with my other fish (dicus & angels) as I only put breeders in the breeder tanks once or twice a year. I'm not really a breeder just a hobbyist.

I didn't want to see fish mills popping up everywhere like we see puppy mills here in the states.

Thanks again and take care.
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Post by Zebrapl3co »

Hi, I am wondering the same thing.
khblock, did you remember when was the last time your female laid her eggs?
Mine was exactly 20 days. I can keep track of this because I count my zebras every day, and when one disappeared, it's usually in my alpha male's cave.
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Post by khblock »

Hi, I am wondering the same thing.
khblock, did you remember when was the last time your female laid her eggs?
Mine was exactly 20 days. I can keep track of this because I count my zebras every day, and when one disappeared, it's usually in my alpha male's cave.
I don't know exactly but I can give an educated guess. I would say between 27 and thirty days since she last spawned.

I do the same thing, count my zebras daily and when one is missing we know where she is. My female has been in the cave for two days now.
I'm keeping a diary now.
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Post by Zebrapl3co »

Whoa. Super old treads. But I am just going back to correct some of my old post info so that people don't get the wrong info.
My females have since spawn every 7 - 8 weeks. At about 6 months after the first spawn, I notice there was only 8 eggs as compare to the first spawn which was around 14 - 16 eggs. I have since remove her an replace with another female to let her rest.
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