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Hi everyone,

Oh boy, am I excited !!!!! I,m a zebra dad for the first time and my new years wish has come true.
My male zebra left his cave for the first time ,a few minutes ago ( in my presence) since last friday, when he was in the cave alone, after trapping the female for the previous 2 weeks. I quickly shone my torch into the back of the cave and lo and behold, I can see three large eggs with wriggly tails.
For them to have a fertile first brood, the first time round is sure an honour. Have tried to look into the cave previously but the cave was pretty narrow and the male blocked the view to the back of the cave, so am unaware of how many eggs were laid. Although there were only 3 hatched eggs ,I'm sure that things can only get better. At least they know what to do, now.
I think they must have hatched today, since the eggs are still enormous.
Will try and leave them for another week with the dad before moving them to a fry container.

Regards,
Des.

congratulations! Light the cigar and pop the champagne

Looks like 2005 is going to be a good year by the looks of how it started!

I'm very happy for you

Thanks McEve,

I've already started on the Whisky. Unfortunately,I didnt have any Champagne to hand.
It feels so good to have joined the zebra breeders "club".

Regards,
Des.

Congratulations Des!!!!!! I had a sneaking suspicion that you would be the next to breed them. 3 at the first try that's fantastic, it can only get better.

I think this calls for a few celebratory cart wheels around the house.

Well done mate

WOW! I am so envious but it helps those of us still trying for babies to keep our spirits up

Great Job Any pictures???????

Fantastic mate!! I can't wait to see pics!!



Welcome to "the club"......only teasing

GREAT news Des!!

You must be chuffed! Fingers crossed for the fry but I am sure they'll grow into beauties!

Congratulations, excelent news. I am really pleased for you. Do you have any pics of your setup / any specific info. It would be very interesting if you had.

Tristan

congratulations all the best of luck with the fry

Congradulations Des. I'm excited for you.

Everyone seems to be getting into the swing of thins now.. at this rate we're going to have to re-introduce then to the wild, just to get them off our Hands!!!!!

Nice job Des.

This is what it's all about. I'm a very happy man!!!!

Fantastic!!

I am happy to see that appearently most regular visitors are succeeding to breed with their zebra's.

Please everybody,

Publish your breeding successes in the "Breeding Successes" thread.
A lot of succesful breeders are still missing there!

Rob, If you like the idea, you could make it a "Sticky".

Hi Everyone,
Thankyou all very much for your kind comments.
Today I had to remove the fry to a floating container after the dad zebra decided to momentarily desert his brood to court another female in another cave. Since there was a chance of the male continuing to dessert his fry, I thought it would be better for the fry ,to be in another container.
The best thing was that I rescued 4 fry. One must have been hiding when I last counted yesterday.Will try and get some photos and more details up by the weekend.
Regards,
Des.

Hi everyone,
Here as promised are some photos and further details.
I was privileged to have a friend of mine - Iggy Tavares ,who is a freelance photographer and writer for various fish magazines take the photos. I still have to improve on my own photos.
It is my first time trying to post some photos ,so I only hope it works.
Here is the tank they were bred in.



Sorry about the white bits in the tank. They were dead duckweed that the corys stirred up, while the powerhead was switched off for the fry photos.
Earlier I had scraped the duckweed , from just above the waterline and was due to use an undergravel cleaner, but didnt get a chance.

Tank size 24" x12" x15"
3/4 bare bottomed and 1/4 undergravel with Aquaclear201 powerhead and venturi. Also 1 sponge filter
Fish:
Zebras :3 adult males , 3 adult female and 2 juvenile females
3 Corydoras concolour
3 slate caves and 1 ceramic cave.
Cave used was second on the left
Water was 50% London tap water and 50% RO water
20%water change ,once a week
Water test done today
Nitrate 25mg/l (have to do a water change)
Nitrite 0mg/l
GH7d
KH3d
PH6.8
Temp 83/84degrees F
Tubelight kept on 7am to 10pm

Below photo of 2 of the fry at approx 2 days after hatching



Below photo of 1 of the fry at approx 3 days after hatching



The fry are currently in a Livebearer breeding trap floating in the parents
tank.

Regards,
Des

Very nice! Congratulations!