Any Leopoldi breeding tips, beyond basics?

[davenmandy]

Did the research:

Big tank, lots of room ... check.
Good diet, lots of food ... check.
Two females and a male ... check.
Good water, good changes ... check.

From what I understand I really just need to let time run its course while keeping them well fed on a varied diet. The three are in only with a black arowana in a 7x2x4wide tank, running through a 65 watt UV sterilizer with 25%-50% wc weekly. All 3 are about a year and a couple months old, about 13 inch discs. I take it I can't really speed up maturity, so I was wondering a) out of peoples experience how much longer roughly until I should expect them to become mature enough to breed (through my research I'm getting anywhere from 6-12 months longer) and b) is there anything else I should actively be doing to encourage the process? As in, anyone with experience have tips that they've noticed that helps the process along (lighting, specific foods, adding or abstaining from adding salt, etc.)?

I did a fair bit of research plus I've had help from fellow MFKers, so I figure I just need to be patient and keep doing what I'm doing, but I thought I'd just ask if anyone else had anything to add, thanks.

 

[T1KARMANN]

Just buy the rays and wait

It can take 2.5 years for them to breed


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[Dis]

Where did you get the rays from?

 

[davenmandy]

One from Dragon Aquarium in Mississauga, one from a private sale in Markham, and one from Vamptrev through here.

 

[Dis]

Very nice, never see too many around here. Good luck with your rays. Seems like patience, good food and water will be your friend. Good luck

 

[BuffaloPolypteridae]

Idk how true this is but a LFS manager said live blackworms help everything from rays to corys to breed. Never tried it myself, i only breed livebearers currently

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[davenmandy]

Very nice, never see too many around here. Good luck with your rays. Seems like patience, good food and water will be your friend. Good luck

Aquatic Kingdom seems to get them more frequently than other stores do. Aquapets is good at ordering stuff in. Lucky's gets em from time to time.

Interesting thought about the blackworms. Wonder if anyone can second the idea?

 

[FishDog]

My experience is breeding works best with a one on one situation. I have had my rays breed with other rays in the tank but it has taken longer. Usually the male begins pursuing the female then runs across another ray and lets go from the distraction. The only thing you could do environment wise is a huge amount of cooler water introduced over a period of time to simulate rainy season. In there homeland the temp is average throughout the year and their days average around 12 hours of day light. So water temp is really only environment change you could do. I do not mess with any manipulation of environment. My system is divided so I try moving rays around and introduce new females to the males. No science just trial and error.

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[DB junkie]

I think there's 3+ year old rays from Trev floating around and best of my knowledge none have bred yet, so you might need a little more patience then previously thought.

Cold water may mimic the rainy season, but it's only mimicking the temp. The rain water will also have less mineral content (TDS/Conductivity) then the river water, possibly lower PH. I'd try cold RO......

IF the lights are on timers maybe toss a few extra heaters in to kick on with the lights to induce temp fluctuation that matches the lighting that matches the 12 hours of light they'd be used to during breeding season? Then hit them with the cold RO shower?

 

[keepinfish]

I think there's 3+ year old rays from Trev floating around and best of my knowledge none have bred yet, so you might need a little more patience then previously thought.

Cold water may mimic the rainy season, but it's only mimicking the temp. The rain water will also have less mineral content (TDS/Conductivity) then the river water, possibly lower PH. I'd try cold RO......

IF the lights are on timers maybe toss a few extra heaters in to kick on with the lights to induce temp fluctuation that matches the lighting that matches the 12 hours of light they'd be used to during breeding season? Then hit them with the cold RO shower?

that is funny you mention it... I was just thinking ours is both 3 year 4-5 months old.... No pups yet.
ive heard of it happening, but most of the time 3+ years with blacks IMO