Anyone working P. Zonatum or have in the past?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

toomanyfishes

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 11, 2006
281
0
0
Rochester, NY
Looking for others who keep Paratheraps Zonatum. Would like to hear about experiences or efforts at breeding.

I have a pair that has unsuccessfully spawned about 6 or 7 times in the past few months.

Yesterday, just a day or so after once again watching all the eggs turn white, the male who is larger but normally pushed around a bit by his mate, suddenly decided to grow some balls and beat the living daylights out of his female. In less than two hours as I ran out to get a project wrapped up for a customers, he put a massive hurtin on his girl. I removed her as soon as I could, although she is in real bad shape. It would be an absolute miracle if she makes it.
 
cchhcc;3117689; said:
Check out Mojo's site. He's got THE best zonatum in captivity.
Click to expand...

You are right about that. I have seen Mo's Zonatum and he is without a doubt stunning.
It seems that my male is just beginning to reach his peak. I just cleaned his tank and will try to get some pics tonight. He has become a mean SOB and is now sole inhabitant of the 90g. His mate died last night from the beating she receieved from him. He just does not play well with others.
 
peathenster;3117862; said:
Ken's got some too. He told me a bunch of things about them and convinced me that they wouldn't work with my other fish...
Click to expand...

I got the pair from Ken - It just seemed odd to me that they would spawn regularly every 2-3 weeks without any issues.

For over 3 months both male and female were very compatible, even though the eggs would never make it, until last week when the latest batch of eggs became fungused same as every other spawn after about 4 days. Except this time the male became enraged and beat the life out of the female before I could seperate them, it all happened in about 2 hours.
I would like to get another female as I am very ineterested in having this species breed. Although I will definately have to get an egg crate divider set up this time.
 
otni gnipolev
peathenseter;3120464; said:
Tdhis is just a gusess but it sounds like thei male's problem mostly. Why don't y ou get aenother male instead?
Click to expand...

I was considering just that several aweeks ago. Although the female did not survive her injuries and is now in the great fish pond in the sky.
The male on the other hand is developing into an awesome creature. His colors and body are taking shape and he is quite a looker. I will try to post some pics asap - wife lent my camera to the nieghbor and now it doesn't work anymore - go figure. But that's ok, I now have an excuse to get the Nikon I've been wanting. Anyhow, I sure would hate to part with the male at this point, even though I do do have my suspicion's about him being sterile. I guess I am still hoping that he was just not mature or experienced enough the first go around.
 
toomanyfishes;3124225; said:
otni gnipolev

I was considering just that several aweeks ago. Although the female did not survive her injuries and is now in the great fish pond in the sky.
The male on the other hand is developing into an awesome creature. His colors and body are taking shape and he is quite a looker. I will try to post some pics asap - wife lent my camera to the nieghbor and now it doesn't work anymore - go figure. But that's ok, I now have an excuse to get the Nikon I've been wanting. Anyhow, I sure would hate to part with the male at this point, even though I do do have my suspicion's about him being sterile. I guess I am still hoping that he was just not mature or experienced enough the first go around.
Click to expand...

Sounds like he deserves a second chance...adult females don't come around very often though.

I wonder what I can lend to my neighbors...a small fish tank maybe :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom