Trying To Breed My Cories

[Akasha72]

okay, thanks Old Spouse but I've just been told on my other thread (ammonia readings are driving me mad) that with a PH of 6 there is no NH3 so the fish will be safe.

I'm really not sure what to do now. I was worried that I'd killed some bacteria - which you've confirmed for me but the new piece of bog wood had dropped the PH right down. I a little confused and unsure if I'm doing the right things to be honest

 

[ryno]

Any luck having them breed yet? I've only had luck with bronze corycats. The first time I seen the eggs, I didnt think much about it, and left them in the tank, only to find out that they ate their own eggs. So the next time they layed eggs (about 100 or so) I used an old giftcard and scrapped them into a jar to transfer them to a smaller 5g aquarium. My corys wouldn't breed at first, then I changed to fertilized sand substrate so I could grow plants. They seem to like sand and live plants along with some driftwood. But then again, I never did anything special (cold water change, feeding special foods, ect.) and they've bread multiple times. Sometimes you just gotta let them do their own thing.

 

[ryno]

A while back, i read that female corycats have a more rounded dorsal fin and males are more pointed. if that helps you identify the sexes

 

[This Old Spouse]

A while back, i read that female corycats have a more rounded dorsal fin and males are more pointed. if that helps you identify the sexes

When they're mature, it's fairly easy to sex them. The females are much bigger and rounder than the males.

I have a variety of cory. The bronze were the most prolific breeders, and when I kept them in my 20g, they'd spawn at least once a week. I have a couple dozen of the fry in various ages.

When I decided to move them to the 55g with albinos and other larger cory, they quit spawning completely. I moved them because I was more interested in breeding the peppers in the 20g. Sure enough, the peppers started spawning all over the place, but I have yet to get a fry that's survived. They just spawned again yesterday, and this time I've moved the eggs to the fry tank where they won't be eaten. I'm hopeful, but I guess we'll see in a few days.

Cold water changes, special feeding, it doesn't matter really. They'll spawn when they're darn good and ready. I think the more you try, the less luck you'll have. Just leave them alone and let nature do the rest.

 

[Akasha72]

Hi and thanks for the replies.

No luck yet with the bronzes and the peppered seem to have given up too. There's plenty of playing and chasing going on but no actual spawning. But, since I'm having water issues with the tank I'm not surprised. I've not changed any water today as I've been too busy with work and now I'm just too shattered to do much more than chill on the sofa. I'll be doing a clean up tomorrow though and a water change.

I'm also not feeding their usual special diet (frozen bloodworms and dried tubiflex blocks) as I don't want to make these water problems worse. I will be surprised if I find any eggs at the moment

 

[Akasha72]

well in came into the room this morning and thought one of my male peppered was dying but no he was furtilizing a female which can only mean ...

I Got Eggs!!! Well, one egg to be precise. I had a little accident.

There were 2 on the rear glass but in my hurry to get them I squashed them both - those things are so delicate

Then I spotted another at the other side of the tank so I gently touched it and it stuck to my finger! I'm learning now

So, I have one egg BUT...

There's evidence that there were more layed, in two's, in the night. It's obvious they've been eaten.

So what have in learned this morning ...

If I want to rear cories I gotta catch them in the act and remove the eggs immediately

and to remove them, a gentle touch is all that is needed


I shall be watching these peppered cories like a hawk now

ps ... the bronzes are also a bit active this morning

 

[Staxx]

since i added the sand my cories have been a lot more "active" doing what i believe is mating behaviour. i think i have 2 female albinos and 3 males. and maybe 2 female peppered and 4 males. could be wrong

im hoping they at least lay some eggs! now i have my new scape with the caves and stuff my luck might be in

 

[Akasha72]

good luck Staxx. Mine do it when I'm not expecting it (like this morning!) and now I've seen the t-position and then the egg laying that follows I know what to look for now

 

[Staxx]

good luck to you aswell! hope all your hard work pays off

 

[Cazgar]

Good luck both of you, I'm sure you'll succeed.
Watch out too for them spawning at lights out in the evenings, that's when I've noticed mine seem to go nuts chasing each other

 

[Akasha72]

I think the lights have a lot to do with it hun. Now my lights are on they've stopped chasing - mind you they are eating their 'breakfast' so that could also have something to do with it.

I'm going to have a clean up later and do a water change. I'll switch the lights out afterwards and see what they do

 

[Staxx]

i think ive got no chance in getting eggs. i have danios which eat literally anything. im getting rid of the german rams and swapping for 4 other fish which im almost certain will also eat the eggs.

luckily im not hoping my fish breed but if it happens i might try and raise 1 or two sets of fry just to see if i can do it.

 

[Akasha72]

platies are pretty much the same ... they eat everything in sight! I have one that's especially greedy and will fight to get to any kind of food first. I suspect her of eating the eggs.

This is why I'm wanting to catch mine in the actual act like this morning. It's the only way to save the eggs and have a go at raising them. The only other option would be to remove all my platies to another tank and leave the cories alone but my spare tank is only 18" long (30 litres) so not large enough to house 9 platies for a few day really - not without being cruel anyway

 

[Akasha72]

the peppered are at it again!! They seem really 'randy' this morning!!


C'mon ... I want some more eggs!!

 

[Cazgar]

Ooh, good luck they're certainly trying for you