I just had to share this with everyone!
Last night around 9 pm, I got to watch the blue Rams spawn from a front row seat! They picked the end of the 50-gal tank that faces the sofa, so we got to sit and observe about six inches away from where the action was! They didn't seem to mind the audience at all, maybe since this is where we always sit and watch the fish from. I saw a Platy have her babies once, but have never actually seen any egglayer spawn before.
The male had been trying to keep everyone out of various areas of the tank for about a week, with little success- the plecostomous, swordtail, and baby platys didn't seem to get the message. Last night, however, the female had found this spot under a clump of java moss and right up against the edge of the tank. She cleaned the rocks for about an hour, and the other rams kept trying to come close (including the other female), and the male kept them away. This time, even the pleco got the idea that he really meant business! By around 8:00, the pair seemd to have some sort of courtship going on, swimming mid level side by side, kind of spinning around in circles together, following head-to-tail. Then we noticed her in her pit in the sand that she had cleaned, quivering with her tail turned to one side, laying rows and circles of eggs. Sometimes he followed right next to her, and others he chased other fish away while she laid, and then fertilized while she came up to stand watch. They both took a break to eat when I fed the other fish. It looked like they were done, and the other fish would not leave the area alone, so I thought this might help distract them. But after eating, they went back for at least another 20 minutes. Overall the process took over an hour.
Neil had warned me that they may spawn in this tank and then eat the eggs the first time or two. The tank already had a divider installed, seperating about 12 gal or so at the other end of the tank, so I put all the other fish (especially the pleco- poor Waldo) into the other side. This morning the eggs are still there, and the couple keep an eye on the other fish through the divider.
This was all so exciting for me that I just had to share it! We think that the panduros did also spawn in the small tank a few days ago. Now the female has baracaded the opening to her cave sand, leaving only a slit of an opening. She rarely comes out, while the male stands guard. She was pale yellow with very dark-ink black markings the last time she came out.
Just a note:
The 50 gal tank has been kept at 80 degress F, pH 6.9-7.0, and fed flakes, frozen brine (spirulina enriched), and frozen worms; change 5-8 gal of water every 7-14 days (7 lately). The small 10 gal tank about 78-79 deg F, pH was up to 6.9 for a while, but now back down to 6.5 or so, and the same diet and same water change schedule, only about 3 gal each time.
Thanks for listening- hope you enjoyed the story. It has been quite an exciting drama for me, hopefully with more to come!
-Charlotte L.
Last night around 9 pm, I got to watch the blue Rams spawn from a front row seat! They picked the end of the 50-gal tank that faces the sofa, so we got to sit and observe about six inches away from where the action was! They didn't seem to mind the audience at all, maybe since this is where we always sit and watch the fish from. I saw a Platy have her babies once, but have never actually seen any egglayer spawn before.
The male had been trying to keep everyone out of various areas of the tank for about a week, with little success- the plecostomous, swordtail, and baby platys didn't seem to get the message. Last night, however, the female had found this spot under a clump of java moss and right up against the edge of the tank. She cleaned the rocks for about an hour, and the other rams kept trying to come close (including the other female), and the male kept them away. This time, even the pleco got the idea that he really meant business! By around 8:00, the pair seemd to have some sort of courtship going on, swimming mid level side by side, kind of spinning around in circles together, following head-to-tail. Then we noticed her in her pit in the sand that she had cleaned, quivering with her tail turned to one side, laying rows and circles of eggs. Sometimes he followed right next to her, and others he chased other fish away while she laid, and then fertilized while she came up to stand watch. They both took a break to eat when I fed the other fish. It looked like they were done, and the other fish would not leave the area alone, so I thought this might help distract them. But after eating, they went back for at least another 20 minutes. Overall the process took over an hour.
Neil had warned me that they may spawn in this tank and then eat the eggs the first time or two. The tank already had a divider installed, seperating about 12 gal or so at the other end of the tank, so I put all the other fish (especially the pleco- poor Waldo) into the other side. This morning the eggs are still there, and the couple keep an eye on the other fish through the divider.
This was all so exciting for me that I just had to share it! We think that the panduros did also spawn in the small tank a few days ago. Now the female has baracaded the opening to her cave sand, leaving only a slit of an opening. She rarely comes out, while the male stands guard. She was pale yellow with very dark-ink black markings the last time she came out.
Just a note:
The 50 gal tank has been kept at 80 degress F, pH 6.9-7.0, and fed flakes, frozen brine (spirulina enriched), and frozen worms; change 5-8 gal of water every 7-14 days (7 lately). The small 10 gal tank about 78-79 deg F, pH was up to 6.9 for a while, but now back down to 6.5 or so, and the same diet and same water change schedule, only about 3 gal each time.
Thanks for listening- hope you enjoyed the story. It has been quite an exciting drama for me, hopefully with more to come!
-Charlotte L.
