Dojo loach birthing question

[Felhad]

By what method do Dojos give birth? Are the eggs fertilized internally and then expelled? Live Birth? I ask because it looks like my female "Stumpy", so called due to her smaller left pectoral fin, appears as if she may have eggs inside!

[mistergreen]

loaches use the external fertilization method. ( no live bearing )

[Felhad]

Awww, I remember seeing a picture of Martin's showing eggs in his pangios, so I guess I was hoping Dojos worked the same way. Unless that is the eggs are visible inside before they're expelled, at which point its still possible

[mistergreen]

yes, the females carry the eggs but the eggs are unfertilized. It doesn't get fertilized until it leaves the female & there's a male around.

you're probably thinking of how chickens do it.

[Graeme Robson]

In the wild, the fish breed in early spring. In the aquarium, several weeks of shortened lighting, colder tank temperatures and a reduced water changes, followed by a large water change and increased temperatures triggers spawning behavior.

The female will get much larger as she produces eggs. The pair will swim together in a beautiful dance, then the male wraps himself around the female, fertilizing the eggs as the female expels them.

The greenish eggs usually attach to the plants. They hatch in 3-5 days. There is no parental care, so eggs can be removed immediately if desired. Be sure to check your filters after a while - the fry can easily end up in your filter!!

The fry can be fed on infusoria and baby brine shrimp. They grow very quickly, and within a few days will be able to take crushed flake/catfish pellets and various frozen foods.