Easily accomplished with captive raised stock. Some colour varieties are more challenging than others. Given the presence of a suitably egg-laden female and a mature male or two, spawning can be triggered by a large, cool water change. Try changing 30-40% of the aquarium water (at 21°C) and bring the temperature down to 16°C. Do this slowly over an hour or two.The fish should respond by spawning in the classic "T" formation method. Here, using one of his pectoral fins, the male clamps the female to his side by her barbels and fertilizes a small batch of eggs held within the protective basket formed by her pelvic fins. The adhesive eggs are then placed on plants or aquarium walls and the process repeated. The eggs take 3-4 days to hatch. It is safe to leave well fed parents with the eggs, but some breeders prefer to remove the eggs, or indeed parents, to avoid any temptation of an easy snack. For the first few days of their life, pre-soaked powdered flake food should be fed to the fry. After the first 3 or 4 days, newly hatched brineshrimp can also be sparingly used to bring on the fishes growth. As the fish grow more and more foods can be offered in line with the size of the developing juveniles. Adult colouration is reached in around nine weeks.
