Breeding has started - Page 3

grandad · #21 04-19-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

On a Tea Break!!!

Generally the fish spawn throughout the summer months anyway, all I do is warm them up for an earlier spawning feed heavily, keeping the males from the females, put them together late afternoon and hopefully next morning spawning has started. Any spawnings that take place in the summer months are just left for the adults to feast on.

The only reason I have early spawnings is so I can show the young fish at the 3 main shows of the year, i.e. Northern, Bristol and London shows and also at Hayling Island in October.

is there a high mortality rate ? or do most of them survive ?.

Chris · #22 04-19-2008, 05:58 PM

Most of the spawning survive, you always get the odd one that does not make it to the feeding stage for some reason but at that size you cannot tell if they are good or not.

The main culling happens at around three weeks old, this is just for deformed fish, i.e. bent backs one eye no eyes!!! etc. With nacreous (calico) fish you get a few pinks and greens these are removed as soon as you can tell colour in the fish. All others are kept and grown on, badly finned fish but healthy are sold to pet shops. (pinks are normally weaker fish and never last to any sort of age, the greens are much more robust but who wants a green fish that never changes colour and just blends into the backgound?

naiad · #23 04-19-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

pinks are normally weaker fish and never last to any sort of age

Interesting, I didn't know that.

Can't wait to see some pics of the fry!

Chris · #24 04-19-2008, 11:26 PM

Just got back from the pub, so excuse the spelling. When was the last time you saw a completely pink fish with button black eyes for sale in any shop?

I will only sell a fish that is 100% healthy and is capable of breeding like or better than itself, Pinks I'm afraid are a weaker fish and are not worth keeping never mind raising so they go at an early age.

grandad · #25 04-20-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

Most of the spawning survive, you always get the odd one that does not make it to the feeding stage for some reason but at that size you cannot tell if they are good or not.

The main culling happens at around three weeks old, this is just for deformed fish, i.e. bent backs one eye no eyes!!! etc. With nacreous (calico) fish you get a few pinks and greens these are removed as soon as you can tell colour in the fish. All others are kept and grown on, badly finned fish but healthy are sold to pet shops. (pinks are normally weaker fish and never last to any sort of age, the greens are much more robust but who wants a green fish that never changes colour and just blends into the backgound?

thanks for the information, looking forward to seeing them progress.

Chris · #26 04-20-2008, 12:20 AM

I am going to bed now, and will catch up on my beauty sleep. (many hours needed!). Once staging is completed and tanks are filled, around 1 p.m., I will post some photos of the developing fry.

-Rob C- · #27 04-20-2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I am going to bed now, and will catch up on my beauty sleep. (many hours needed!). Once staging is completed and tanks are filled, around 1 p.m., I will post some photos of the developing fry.

Cheers Chris, really intresting watching this thread.

grandad · #28 04-20-2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

I am going to bed now, and will catch up on my beauty sleep. (many hours needed!). Once staging is completed and tanks are filled, around 1 p.m., I will post some photos of the developing fry.

I wont be long myself mate good night.

Chris · #29 04-30-2008, 08:09 PM

Sorry it has taken a lot longer than promised but I had a bit of an accident when filling the newly installed tanks on the top tier. I was standing on some steps and swilling out the tanks when I slipped and my belt buckle caught on the lower teir of tanks, the front of the tank shattered and I caught a slither of glass in the lower abdomen, (almost a kebab on a stick!) not too serious but very painful!!!

The wife has fed the fish for the last ten days and they are still growing, I have attached a photo of one of the tanks of Bristols fry, they are now just over an inch long at four weeks (excluding tails), I will post some better pictures at the weekend without fail.

This is just a quick snap shot of one of the 11 tanks of fry the tanks are 4' x 2'6'' x 8''. each tank is currently holding around 80 fish each. greens and pinks have been culled and the fish are now colouring up.

telboy · #30 04-30-2008, 08:16 PM

ouch! hope ya ok matey