Problem with tank strain

[aarhud]

Hey All,

I wanted to run something by you. Both myself and a fellow club member picked up fish sold as A. viejita, but you can guess what they turned out to be! No problem on that, I knew they were going to be macmasteri when I got them. What has me stumped is neither of us are having any luck breeding this aquarium strain of macmasteri. My friend said she had one spawn that resulted in 4 fry and I have had one that resulted in zero. Is this an obvious case of line breeding gone wrong? I have tried babying them (bbs, grindal worms, oak leaves, big water changes) and also the low maintenance strategy, but with no luck. I like this strain and would like to breed them to have some extras.

I'll add that I have had no problem spawning panduro, baenschi, borelli, cacatuoides, and atahualpa. So I don't neccesarily think its a case of water quality or improper environment.

 

[regani]

Sometimes rearranging the tank decor and providing different types of caves works for me when the fish don't want to spawn.
Also, if you can provide caves with openings just big enough for the female to fit through and some sand in the cave so that she block the entrance if she wants, that should make her feel more secure and can help to get her into breeding mode

 

[Duffmanj]

When you purchased them were there several pairs in the tank? It might be worth, if your friend is willing, trading the females to see if the exchange forms more compatible pairs?

 

[gerald]

It's possible, but I really doubt it's a genetic issue, and certainly not "an obvious case." Try feeding mosquito larvae for a few weeks -- that should do the trick. My Neolamp. ornatipinnis that I thought were way too old to breed anymore suddenly got very prolific soon after skeeter season started up.

Is this an obvious case of line breeding gone wrong? I have tried babying them (bbs, grindal worms, oak leaves, big water changes) and also the low maintenance strategy, but with no luck..

 

[Mike Wise]

What are your water values, pH, e.c., etc.?

All of the above suggestions are worth considering. I was having a major problem getting fry from A. cf. lueling (Cristal). I got viable eggs/larvae, but all of the freeswimming fry disappeared after a few days and the parents fought like madmen. I finally moved the female to another breeding tank. I thought I would start over in a new tank, but she needed to get to know the tank before adding the male. What I didn't know was that she had spawned before I removed her. The male took over care of the freeswimming fry. Now I have about 25, 1 cm/½" juveniles in the tank. I moved the male to the tank with the female. Two weeks later, I have a second brood. Both parents are taking turns guarding the fry. Whatever works, works.

 

[aarhud]

pH hangs out around 6.8
EC ~200 uS
gKH and gGH 2-5

I have not tried collecting rain water or filtering with peat yet. I suppose I could try that.

 

[gerald]

Your current water parameters sound fine for macmasteri. They usually breed just fine even in moderately hard water, and yours is still on the fairly soft side.