small experiment on breeding A zonalternans.

[mickthefish]

this is a small experiment i tried to see if the layout could produce eggs/fry, it was a success in that they did spawn, but it was a failure as all the eggs were infertile.
ive been trying to work out what could have gone wrong, and the two ideas are, to many males might of been added or the ph could have had an effect on the eggs.
back to the drawing board, i don't fancy doing the first layout that give me the best result as it's to messy.
here's a short video i took of the tank and the zonals, if you can put up with the drone of my voice that is.



cheers
mick

[andyroo]

could the eggs have fallen through mesh and away before fertilization?

[Mad Duff]

Great idea Mick, shame about the infertile eggs.

Mine have been spawning well in the river tank and there are quite a few new tiny fry popping in and out from the rocks at the moment, the original fry are not much smaller than the parents now either

[mickthefish]

cheers mark, i'm thinking of adding a thin layer of gravel next time that will still let the eggs drop through.

andyroo, yes it is poss that the eggs never come in contact with the males sperm,

mick

[Emma Turner]

Mick, do you have any pics of the original set up you used to breed them? I've seen the report Graeme has put together from your logs of the spawning, and was just curious to actually see the set up, as you managed to raise such a good number.

Emma

[mickthefish]

certainly Emma, here's the original setup.



mick

[piggy4]

Hi Mick, this is a long shot but wasnt this the tank you had that problem withyour Rostrata's ? i wonder if the chemical has somehow made these fish infertile ? could be a temporary thing ? HOPE SO !

[mickthefish]

yup you could be right andy,
i'm hoping it's just that the female was'nt ready to spawn, as there was'nt that many eggs laid about 20 which is nothing to this fish.

mick

[piggy4]

Mick , if it is the chemic , it will probarbly dissipate in time ! perhaps a little rest and a build up period is needed GOOD LUCK .

[mickthefish]

i'm thinking of seperating the females to another tank for a week or so.

mick

[Emma Turner]

Thanks for the photo, Mick. I think we should probably include that in the article about you breeding this species, if that's ok?
Emma

[mickthefish]

no prob's Emma, if you think any of the pics i post are worth adding to profiles or anything else.
just use them.

mick

[Emma Turner]

Thanks for that, Mick. I was also wondering, are your fish in a place where they are not disturbed too often? I've been trying to get a pair of Mesonoemacheilus guentheri to spawn for some time now and am wondering if where I have the tank (in the lounge, near the computer, where it gets walked past all the time) is putting them off. They are skittish at the best of times anyway.

Emma

[mickthefish]

yes Emma, they are in my fish room but in a place thats left undisturbed except for feeding time and water changes.

mick

[Emma Turner]

I wish I had more room in this house! I think the tank needs relocating...