Help Breeding Rainbow Fish

[poochbooch]

I've been trying to breed my Lake Kutubu Rainbow fish for a few days now and still haven't gotten them to spawn. There's three of them, one male, and two females. I know that they usually lay their eggs on Java Fern, but I don't have any right now. Instead, I put in some Anubias Nana and Water Wisteria into their aquarium. Their tank is 50 gallons, and I gave them a huge water change this morning. The male's nose turned bright orange, and he began to chase the females all around the tank to try and get them over near the Anubias, then when he finally got them over to it, he swam away to the other side of the tank. Does anyone know what he's doing and what else I can do to make them want to spawn?

 

[Chad]

Can you make a spawning mop? That will work in stead of the moss. For many fish the spawning media is vitally important.

 

[Robbo89]

the water changes are a well known trigger for rainbowfish, especially when the new water is about 2 degrees lower than the tank water. cool fresh oxygenated water simulates heavy rainfall and the onset of the wet season here in Australia

 

[HHH]

what i usualy do is put sone floating water sprite in there then do huge huge water changes. Then i move the water spirite to another tank and wait. Rainbow fry are very small so you will have to look really closely to see them. Instead of looking for fry i like to look for eggs instead as i find it easier to find. Good luck

 

[poochbooch]

Thanks guys! Oh and I put three spawning mops in there so hopefully they'll want to breed. How big of a water change should I do though?

Can you make a spawning mop? That will work in stead of the moss. For many fish the spawning media is vitally important.

 
 

the water changes are a well known trigger for rainbowfish, especially when the new water is about 2 degrees lower than the tank water. cool fresh oxygenated water simulates heavy rainfall and the onset of the wet season here in Australia

 

[fluttermoth]

I usually do 50% with cold water (don't add it too quickly though!) to trigger my cories; should work for rainbows too.

What are you feeding the fish? Some live food might help, if you can get some safely.

 

[poochbooch]

Right now I'm feeding them frozen Brine shrimp, freeze dried blood worms, and sometimes I give them peas