Breeding Cories, I Give Up!

[Kuhni]

*Crosses Fingers* Good luck to ya, I'm rootin for you!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2006

Just keep hoping for the best. Chances are still good that you will get some fry from the eggs that are still sound.

Eggs are very fragile and easily damaged by moving. Don't feel bad because it was your first time doing it. As often as I've done it, I still lose some that way. It takes a very gentle hand and that might just take some practice to get good at.

The next time your corys spawn you will have had this experience and will do better. A drop or two of methylene blue in the water might help too, as long as they haven't been damaged in the move.

When you think the eggs might be hatching, look in the corners of the tank. They are tiny and will be hard to see, but if there are any in there they will be all huddled up together, either there or along the edges of the tank.

Good luck!

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Thanks Inchworm.

I had trouble moving the eggs, but I think that was because I tried to move them only a few minutes after they were laid.. I tried removing them with a knife but they didnt stick to it and fell the the substrate?

EDIT: send me a message on msn Inchworm when your online please.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2006

It's always better to wait a while to let the eggs firm up a bit, but sometimes it's impossible, especially if there are other fish there who would like to make lunch of them.

This is why I always suggest putting the spawning group into a breeding tank to spawn and then moving the adults after they are finished. It's so much easier and the eggs will not have to be disturbed.

Your bronze corys will spawn again soon, so let's see what happens with the rest of these eggs. You might have more success by doing things differently the next time.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I'm pretty confident the eggs arent going to hatch. They are depleting in numbers, and the ones which showed development have now mainly disappeared. After searching the tank throughly, no fry were found.

I am going to give them until Sunday night (5 1/2 days since they were laid) and if they don't hatch, I will remove them, clean the tank, and then add the Bronze Corys into the tank.

What I want to ask is though, they laid patches of eggs all around the tank this first spawn. Do they all need to be in the air flow? Because if they do, how many air pumps will I need if the eggs are scattered everywhere?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2006

All you will need is one air pump. As long as the water is flowing over the eggs, it's enough. If you split the air line and put one air stone at each end of the tank, it will do nicely.

Along with the air pump and airline tubing, pick up one of these gang valves:

http/www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_...39.aspx#details

You will only need a two-way valve. This will divide the air flow coming out of the pump into two directions and the amount of air you have coming out each side can be adjusted according to your needs.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I have read lots of advice and articles stating the same pair/trio will spawn again within another 7-14 days. I am feeding frozen bloodworm and tablet food, and when I want to initiate the spawn again I will just do a 30% cold water change and feed white mosquito larvae (this triggered it last time!).

However, before trying to trigger it, should I just move the corys into the breeding tank, or leave them in the community where they spawned last time? I am worried about putting them off spawning by moving them, but then again, I don't want to ruin the second batch of eggs aswell..

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2006

Don't worry that moving them from one tank to another will stop them from spawning. It's not likely to matter and might even get them started. Just make sure that the water is clean and fresh, and that there's some good beneficial bacteria in the filter.

And, once again, have patience.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Thanks Inchworm.

I have now cleaned out the fry tank. When I refill it, I will add 40% of the water from the exisiting aquarium they are currently in. And of course, I will use the filter media from the larger community tank in the attempt to make sure everything runs smoothly this time.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

More eggs today! But only got 17, as I was at school and have only just checked the tanks Oh well, it's 17 more than I had this morning, and they have spawned twice now so I must be doing something right?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2006

Yep! It looks like your corys are healthy and happy. You will probably be getting more eggs in the future too.

Now comes the hard part; raising the fry. I guarantee that you'll be tired of doing water changes before they are grown.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Now comes the hard part; raising the fry. I guarantee that you'll be tired of doing water changes before they are grown.

Lol, I can imagine how tiring and repetitive it could become, but it would be worth it. To be honest, my first hurdle will be to actually hatch the fry this time, as somehow I got a total of 0 eggs to hatch from the 300 odd from the first spawn!

 

[Barracuda518]

Hi Fishkeeper2006

Yep! It looks like your corys are healthy and happy. You will probably be getting more eggs in the future too.

Now comes the hard part; raising the fry. I guarantee that you'll be tired of doing water changes before they are grown.

You got that right. The best part is when you can add the filter once the fry are big enough! Its a great feeling to know you were able to raise them from a egg to a young adult cory