That's hard. In the past when I kept Alestopetersius caudalis, I had the idea that breeding tetras was extremely hard. I didn't even look into it. Now, I've learned it's just hard.
You and @Magnum Man have those incredible fish. I'm trying to get some too, especially since brichardi are more available here and there. No luck yet.
I did once spend an afternoon with a breeder of Congo tetras, and I think his system would work. It took a long tank. He had a four footer, but I think a three footer would do. Maybe even a 30 inch tank. I have those so that would be my choice.
I have bathyaethiops greeni here, also from the Congo, and I've been considering a try. They aren't as big as yellow Congos, so I may use a 20 when I try them.
I'd condition a group, sexes apart, on live and frozen food for a week or so. His tank wasn't brightly lit, but got sunlight in the morning. His fish would spawn when sunlight hit the water, doing runs in what was fast water. The eggs are non adhesive, but the parents eat them.
So a standard egg scatterer grid, layer of marbles, mats of plastic plants, etc or deep java moss would be needed. I would remove the parents, back to their regular tank, and slow the current. Maybe sponge filters, turned down.
Soft water, and I'd try tannin stained. 26c.
After that, I don't know. Some would hatch. Maybe many. I don't know how long it would take. I doubt the eggs are light sensitive, so you'd probably see larvae on the glass. You'd need microscopic or very fine foods to start. They would grow, I don't know how fast.
I have done some digging on them, but there isn't a lot I've found out there.
You and @Magnum Man have those incredible fish. I'm trying to get some too, especially since brichardi are more available here and there. No luck yet.
I did once spend an afternoon with a breeder of Congo tetras, and I think his system would work. It took a long tank. He had a four footer, but I think a three footer would do. Maybe even a 30 inch tank. I have those so that would be my choice.
I have bathyaethiops greeni here, also from the Congo, and I've been considering a try. They aren't as big as yellow Congos, so I may use a 20 when I try them.
I'd condition a group, sexes apart, on live and frozen food for a week or so. His tank wasn't brightly lit, but got sunlight in the morning. His fish would spawn when sunlight hit the water, doing runs in what was fast water. The eggs are non adhesive, but the parents eat them.
So a standard egg scatterer grid, layer of marbles, mats of plastic plants, etc or deep java moss would be needed. I would remove the parents, back to their regular tank, and slow the current. Maybe sponge filters, turned down.
Soft water, and I'd try tannin stained. 26c.
After that, I don't know. Some would hatch. Maybe many. I don't know how long it would take. I doubt the eggs are light sensitive, so you'd probably see larvae on the glass. You'd need microscopic or very fine foods to start. They would grow, I don't know how fast.
I have done some digging on them, but there isn't a lot I've found out there.
Price of success, and all that...
