Help! I think I have Bichir Eggs! Not sure what to do! *pics*

[dmhollis]

Ok, I'm totally new at this, I mean to the polypterus species. I have two albino bichirs, male and female. I thought they were too young for breeding (and I hadn't planned on breeding them anyway) as they're each about 5 inches in length.

I wake up this morning to a female with frayed pec fins, a bloody nose and her anal region is swollen. I of course immediately think that she has a disease or something. So I go to the internet to check out what might be going on and what I can do to help her. She's not really exhibiting signs of bacterial disease so I decide to watch her really close before medicating.

As I'm trying to see if she has a fungus or something, I notice a little ball-like thing on one of the plant leaves in the tank.

See the little thing sticking to the leaf in the center of the photo?

I'm like, "what the heck is that?" Of course, not knowing, I head back to the internet to see what I can find. Nothing! So, I go and look in the tank again. I notice MORE round things!

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This time, my male polypterus is doing something funky with his anal fin and making a little cup out of it and what looks like "pushing" something out of his anus. I couldn't get a pic of it because he was in they're little cave hiding.

I think I put two and two together and come up with an idea that maybe they're trying to breed. But, I'm not sure. I don't know what eggs look like and I'm a bit worried that they may be sick or something and I won't catch it in time.

Someone please help ease my stress levels.

My female bichir! See her anal area...its a little swollen looking.

My male bichir hiding (which is really unlike him).
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[SmokinCoCo]

wow that would be dope if they are trying to breed! unfortunately, i also have no experience with breeding poly's but i'm sure someone on here can help.

Beblondie any thoughts?

from what i've read online it sure sounds like your female laid eggs though. if they are eggs they will probably continue of the next few days to lay more eggs. they suggest pulling them out to put in a rearing tank.

check this out:

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/predatory/breedingbichir.php
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-202.html

also, a quote from beblondie:

beblondie
04-28-2005, 06:43 AM

BICHIR BREEDING

Breeding seasons in the wild
Of species I could find listed on fishbase.org

Polypterus senegalus senegalus
June and July -CHAD,-- basin
August, thru Oct. -Gambia,-- gambia river
Aug. thru Nov. -Senegal,-- lower senegal river
June thru Nov. -CHAD ,--no location given
May and June, --upper white nile river
there seems to be no mating from Dec. thru April in the wild or at least not reported or
recorded.

Bichir bichir March thru November in-CHAD

P.lapradeiJuly thru Sept in- GAMBIA
P.lapradei July thru Oct -- senegal river

P.delhezi - no reports

P.endlicheri--May thru Aug --cotre d'lvoire- Bandama river
P.endlicheri--Sept-Oct -Chad-Chad basin
P.endlicheri--July-Aug-Sudan --White nile river, Khartoum
P.endlicheri--July-Nov-Chad
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COURTSHIP
I have seen this courtship behavior in P. polli and P. delhezi and P. senegalus I find this the most interesting part of the the mating ritual as it is shared by most members of the Polypteridae family. Courtship begins by the male breaching the surface from once to several times.followed by him arching his body putting up his dorsal finlets in full display and slowly descending through the water to the female. Coming up from behind her he gently nudges her sideways with a series of headbutts and gentle nips while the female remains motionless as the male gently caress'sthe females ovipositor area with his anal fin till eggs are released .He uses his anal fins which are now shaped like a cup to capture the eggs, fertilizes them and releases them then the process begin again.This may go on for several days.
THE FISH - Sexually mature male and female.While bichirs can be sexed at 7-8 inches.It may take a year to six years to reach full sexual maturity depending on the species this is shown on the males by a greatly swollen anal fin and on some species a dark border on the anal fins margin.On the females which are generaly larger than the males you hould notice a swelling of the abdomen.this is caused by the eggs of which there can be be over 300.Those species found sexually mature at 1-2 years include P.senegalus, P. polli others such as P.ornatipinnis and P.endlicheri at 4-6 years of age.
THE TANKS-One should have a soft sandy substrate and several low bushy plants such as
Java fern (Microsorium pteropus)This is the breeding tank.This is where the eggs will be laid (hopefully) and a good secure cover (see courtship above). The second tank for hatching and raising the fry. This tank should have no substrate and use sponge flters.
THERE IS NO GUARANTEE this will work on a consistent basis.large breeders on fish farms often use hormones to induce breeding.
THE PROCESS- I've seen courtship behavior after a regular water change. However lets try and simulate more natural enviroment .I could just have frisky fish, during the dry season the water temps are in the high 60's to low 70's with a PH value avg. 6.0. But come the rainy season temperatures increase to as much as 84 to 86 degrees with the PH increasing to to closer to 7.0 and the water softness increases,So in order to try to duplicate this we add softer water (distilled) and raise the tempurature to mid 80's that should start the mating process providing all parties are ready and willing there was a mention of adding several drops of saltwater adding trace elements which encourages breeding .
THE HATCHING TANK-When the mating is concluded remove the plants with the eggs or any eggs you may find scattered about as quickly as possible and place them in the hatching tankThis tank should be kept at 82 degrees with a PH value between 6.5 and 7.0.If things have gone well you should see hatching within 60 hours . The young resemble tadpoles and will adhere to
plants and rocks , and live off yolk sacs for approx 6-7 days after which they will need feeding.
Foods include
baby brine shrimp
finely chopped bloodworms
mysis shrimp .
It is sadly at this time death rates increase do to fighting and canibalism if possible the fry should be seperated in individual containers for several weeks or raised in a tank with lots of
Java fern (Microsorium pteropus)to hide from eachother . Once they reach approx.4 cm the odds of survival increase -Anne

Sources include
jurassic fish--Kodera et al
aqualog Polypterus--Frank Schafer
fishbase.org



Hope that helps some...

 

[eman b115]

that would be cool if you breed em.....GL...

 

[dmhollis]

This was very helpful, thanks a ton. Here's where we stand so far, comparing all of the literature you've given me to read. The mail is "cupping" however the female is not depositing her eggs in there at all. Does this mean that they're not getting fertilized at all? Or can he fertilize from far away? Also, I'm certain that mine are a year old yet. I got them a month ago and they haven't grown much since the day I purchased them. Like I said, they're about 5 inches, but for all I know they could've been underfed....though they look healthy!

Anyway, I'll watch them over the next few days and I'll move the eggs to a breeding tank. If they live, anyone living in the Los Angeles area want a bichir?

 

[dmhollis]

This was very helpful, thanks a ton. Here's where we stand so far, comparing all of the literature you've given me to read. The mail is "cupping" however the female is not depositing her eggs in there at all.

Just noticed my typo...I meant MALE, not mail. LOL!

 

[Bichirs4life]

That would be super awesome if they are breeding! I haven't had any of my bichirs breed yet so I'm at a loss. Keep us posted as to what transpires!

 

[SmokinCoCo]

Anyway, I'll watch them over the next few days and I'll move the eggs to a breeding tank. If they live, anyone living in the Los Angeles area want a bichir?

Np thats what this site is for! Keep us posted on progress!! I actually live in the SFV as well so if they do survive I'd love to take some off your hands...especially if you get more albinos!

 

[dmhollis]

I'll totally keep you all posted. I'll probably have a ton more questions anyway. SmokinCoCo, if I have survivors this round, I'll totally let you know so you can get your hands on some.

 

[SmokinCoCo]

Awesome thanks man!

 

[is300zx]

Your female looks like a male to me. Do you have other pics?