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AdvancedBreeding Basics
From conditioning adults to raising fry — an introduction to fish breeding.
breedingfryconditioningspawning
Types of Breeding
Egg Scatterers
Tetras, danios, barbs, corydoras. Scatter eggs on plants/substrate with no parental care. Use breeding tank with java moss. Remove adults after spawning.
Substrate Spawners
Many cichlids. Lay eggs on flat surfaces. Parents often guard eggs/fry.
Mouthbrooders
African cichlids, female bettas. Incubate eggs in mouth for 2-4 weeks.
Bubble Nesters
Bettas, gouramis. Male builds bubble nest at surface. Remove female after spawning.
Livebearers
Guppies, mollies, platies. Give birth to live young. Provide dense plants for fry.
Conditioning
Feed high-protein food for 1-2 weeks before breeding:
- Frozen bloodworms daily
- Live baby brine shrimp
- 3-4 small meals/day
Spawning Triggers
- Large water change with cooler water (mimics rain)
- Gradual temperature increase (2-3°C over days)
- Separate sexes for 2-4 weeks, then reunite
Raising Fry
- First 24-48h: Yolk sac provides nutrition. No food needed.
- First food: Infusoria, newly hatched brine shrimp (gold standard), microworms, crushed flake
- Growth: Warm (26-28°C), clean water, 3-4 small meals/day, 10-20% daily water changes
Pro Tip: Start with livebearers (guppies/platies) or corydoras. Easy, produce plenty of fry, and teach you the fundamentals.
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