Spawning Cherry Barbs

[FishGuest5123]

How long will they go at it? They’ve been spawning about 45 minutes. @Colin_T??!

 

[fish48]

there is no time limit on how long they would take to spawn if you have marbles covering the bottom of the tank leave them as long as possible or remove them the following day did you spawn one pair or as in a group

 

[Retired Viking]

Did you take any pictures, I tried with my tetras but it was just a blur.

 

[FishGuest5123]

there is no time limit on how long they would take to spawn if you have marbles covering the bottom of the tank leave them as long as possible or remove them the following day did you spawn one pair or as in a group

I had 2 female and one male. One female hid. The couple went at it as soon as they hit the tank. I could tell they were ready in main tank so moved them to breeding tank. I had plants around perimeter and marbles in middle. Took the fish out after an hour. The female looked beat. Looks like I have some eggs but hard to tell. They are much smaller than goldfish eggs. Lol! I thought they were sand at first. Found a couple of tiny baby snails though. Hope they don’t eat the eggs. Tried to smush them. No idea how they got there. We shall see. If not, we’ll try again.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Did you take any pictures, I tried with my tetras but it was just a blur.

Yes. Here you go...

 

[Retired Viking]

Thank you, looks like you may have some eggs on the marbles. I plan on using marbles too along with a UGF panel to protect the eggs if I set up a separate breeding tank. I have almost given up on the sunk forest tank for any breeding. I have not seen hardly any mating compared to when I had the LOTR castle set up. They were spawning almost 2 times a week back then. I guess they find the new set up uninspiring and boring.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Thank you, looks like you may have some eggs on the marbles. I plan on using marbles too along with a UGF panel to protect the eggs if I set up a separate breeding tank. I have almost given up on the sunk forest tank for any breeding. I have not seen hardly any mating compared to when I had the LOTR castle set up. They were spawning almost 2 times a week back then. I guess they find the new set up uninspiring and boring.

They are their own little selves. I tried last week to breed with 2 males and 3 females. Big mistake! The alpha male spent all of his time chasing the other male. Too worried about the other guy to spawn. This time only one male. Next time I’ll just do a pair and leave them longer.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Not sure about this spawn. Most eggs don’t seem viable. I’ll watch for next couple of days but not hopeful. Next time I’ll leave them longer.

 

[FishGuest5123]

there is no time limit on how long they would take to spawn if you have marbles covering the bottom of the tank leave them as long as possible or remove them the following day did you spawn one pair or as in a group

@fish48 should I try more than one couple?

 

[fish48]

I found it best to spawn them as a pair I keep male and females separate once I've set the tank up for spawning, I pick the best male and female then place them in tank a water depth of 4 inches and a small plant at one end. I find the best time to do this is late in the evening before I turn the lights out. two methods I like to use one is to cover the bottom of the tank with marbles or use a mesh net
when I first tried to breed cherry barbs it took a few attempts to get it right.
the best thing about using a mesh net is that you can clearly see the eggs

 

[FishGuest5123]

I found it best to spawn them as a pair I keep male and females separate once I've set the tank up for spawning, I pick the best male and female then place them in tank a water depth of 4 inches and a small plant at one end. I find the best time to do this is late in the evening before I turn the lights out. two methods I like to use one is to cover the bottom of the tank with marbles or use a mesh net
when I first tried to breed cherry barbs it took a few attempts to get it right.
the best thing about using a mesh net is that you can clearly see the eggs
View attachment 119656 View attachment 119655

. What is the mesh net? Where do you get it? Also, do you remove the marbles after spawning or wait for babies? I’ve been moving them. Thanks for the help.

 

[fish48]

it can be very difficult moving marbles when you have eggs /very tiny fry it is so easy to damage them once the fish has finish spawning i often move eggs with a turkey baster then remove marbles and put eggs back in same water I prefer to see the eggs on a bare bottom tank it makes it easier for feeding and removing any uneaten food , when the eggs have hatched and the fry are free swimming i will then start feeding them,
the net mesh is what you would get from a garden centre used to keep insects and birds of vegetables one that I have used is quite a thick plastic easy to bend and shape and right sides holes for the eggs to drop through
A better picture of what the net looks like

 

[FishGuest5123]

Thank you. This Is very helpful. I can’t believe I bred goldies for years and can’t get these. I’ll try to find the net. If not, I’ll leave the marbles in next time.

 

[Retired Viking]

Thank you @fish48 for posting the pictures and the info, I was thinking of using marbles and also a UGF plate which has slots in it for the eggs to drop through. Since I was going to try breeding neon tetras which need darkness this would work (I hope) but for my ember and glow light tetras you net mesh looks more promising.

 

[FishGuest5123]

@fish48 about how large are the eggs? Just trying to determine how big the netting should be. Also, what temp do you keep your breeding tank at?