PDA

View Full Version : Breeding Microgeophagus ramirezi (German Blue Ram) A story in pics. Part 1 of 5



apisto
Sun Feb 09, 2014, 08:25 AM
One morning in early October (2013) I have noticed that my GBR pair (I bought them at Manly Aquarium) has laid a large number of eggs overnight in my 100 gallon community tank. I left them there as food for my Apistogrammas, since I had no room for accommodating them. Next morning I have noticed that all the eggs were still there and the pair are vigorously defending them. I begun to feel sorry for this pair (they provided me with healthy spawns previously) so I have MADE room for them by dividing up a 3ft tank full of juvenile A. Cacatuoids.
First I have made a 50% water change using the water from the 100 gall. tank, in order to lessen the possibility of complications.
For the first time (I bread fish for over 50 years) I have moved fish eggs from one tank to to another.
The eggs were laid on a small piece of flat rock, which I placed gently into a submerged 5L plastic bucket. Then I moved the bucket + eggs into their new home. I also fished out the parents and transported them as well.
PS:*
Water parameters: PH 5.0 -4.9. TDS 45-60 ppm *Nitrate level 5-10 ppm, Temperature 23-28 deg.
Food: Live BBS and microworms only for the first couple of days. Live BBS for the rest of month one, than a little deep frozen brine shrimp & crushed dry flakes (top quality) also introduced.
After 10-12 weeks frozen blood worm was also introduced.
Water change: 30% every 2 days.

Day 2. Please notie the large number of eggs. I put some Methylene Blue in the water to avoid fungus.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3906_zps993aa746.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3906_zps993aa746.jpg.html)

The parents with the eggs. Day 3.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3915_zps700aa81e.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3915_zps700aa81e.jpg.html)


Day 4. Eggs 'been moved to the gravel nearby.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3918_zpse0ac511d.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3918_zpse0ac511d.jpg.html)

Male is looking after the eggs
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3921_zps24174099.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3921_zps24174099.jpg.html)

apisto
Sun Feb 09, 2014, 08:27 AM
Female suffered some injury while in the 100gall tank. (Lef abdomen)
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3939_zps9a0d31dd.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3939_zps9a0d31dd.jpg.html)

Day 5. The eggs now are in the larva stage.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3926_zpsc993c88a.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3926_zpsc993c88a.jpg.html)

Day 6. There is some definete movement noticeable
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3945_zpsff9115b9.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3945_zpsff9115b9.jpg.html)


Day 7. (Evening) Hurrah!! The fry are free swimmers now.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3965_zps4b2b6497.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3965_zps4b2b6497.jpg.html)

apisto
Sun Feb 09, 2014, 08:29 AM
Day 8. Mom and Dad are looking after their babes.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3968_zps6dd13e94.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3968_zps6dd13e94.jpg.html)


Day 14. The fry is growing up nicely
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3984_zps8382b092.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP3984_zps8382b092.jpg.html)

Day 21. The babes are very healthy and are growing rapidly. You may notice their pink belly full of BBS.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4050_zps8e0bda6d.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4050_zps8e0bda6d.jpg.html)


Day 28. (Close up) The fast growing GBR fry feeding on brine shrimp.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4053_zps214acf00.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4053_zps214acf00.jpg.html)

apisto
Sun Feb 09, 2014, 08:32 AM
Day 35. The fry is beginning to colour up.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4070_zps8a16f003.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4070_zps8a16f003.jpg.html)


Day 50 The brood is healthy and growing fast. They eat like hungry wolfs do
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4131_zps76dab20e.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4131_zps76dab20e.jpg.html)

Day 97 They are about 3 month old now. Sexually developed 3+ cm in length and very healthy. Water change (30-40% every second day)

http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4300_zps491030b9.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4300_zps491030b9.jpg.html)

A bonded pair, looking for spawning space in the corner of the tank:
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4230_zpsf617d798.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4230_zpsf617d798.jpg.html)

apisto
Sun Feb 09, 2014, 08:57 AM
They are sexually developed now..
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4238_zps080052ca.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4238_zps080052ca.jpg.html)

They are young adult GBR now (9/2/2014) and finding new homes.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n543/otsipa/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4507_zps5f30bc36.jpg (http://s1139.photobucket.com/user/otsipa/media/30%20OCTOBER%202013%20BREEDING%20GBR/IMGP4507_zps5f30bc36.jpg.html)

THE END


I hope you ejoyed the "story" and the photos.

Jason
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 06:10 AM
Thanks for posting, I did enjoy the "story".

Jason

Mattzilla
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 09:11 AM
great photo journal! thanks for taking the time to share.

your fry look very healthy, keep up the good work

apisto
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 09:47 AM
Thanks for posting, I did enjoy the "story".

Jason

Thank you Jason

apisto
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 09:49 AM
great photo journal! thanks for taking the time to share.

your fry look very healthy, keep up the good work
Thanks. It is hard work my friend, but a pleasures one.

Benno
Sat Feb 15, 2014, 01:56 AM
Awesome stuff mate, thanks for sharing

apisto
Thu Feb 20, 2014, 11:19 PM
Awesome stuff mate, thanks for sharing

Thanks for your compliment Beno.