arapaima breeding

[onlybigfish]

Has anyone ever bred arapaima in captivity???
I own 5 6 inch arapaima and will have them in aquariums until the grow.
Then i will have then in a large 40 meter by 20 meter pond with lots of wild fish for them to eat.

How long before the breed in the wild??

 

[Aqua Sanctuary]

I suggest asking JohnPTC , a member here who successfully keeps arapaima gigas. Since its such a large fish, not many people even have the opportunity to breed them. Good luck!

 

[icecube]

Arapiamas are just like the arowanas.They are mouth brooders.The male will carry the fry in its mouth until they hatch.They mature after 2 years of age.

 

[cichlaguapote]

pm Apistogramma Master, he breeds them in peru and may have some tips for you.

 

[onlybigfish]

Thanks guys,
I will keep you posted if i have any succes

 

[Onion01]

Arapiamas are just like the arowanas.They are mouth brooders.The male will carry the fry in its mouth until they hatch.They mature after 2 years of age.

umm, the males dig a nest in the sandy substrate and watches over it

he then develops a sticky membrane on his head that the young feed off of. I think that in a pond that big you will be successful

 

[armac]

I would contact somebody who has bred them, you are getting a lot of regurgitated information so far.

 

[Weylin]

Keep us updated... We want lots of pics....


And All the Best...

 

[Aquascape Chicago]

they have been captive breeding them in germany for the last few years

 

[Zoodiver]

umm, the males dig a nest in the sandy substrate and watches over it

he then develops a sticky membrane on his head that the young feed off of. I think that in a pond that big you will be successful

This is correct info. The arapaima is very much like the discus in the aspect of a male producing "milk" for the fry to feed off of.

The biggest kicker is getting a group to them that is mixed and not related. Chances are if you bought a few at the same time, they are brothers and sisters - not good breeding stock at all.
The breeding behavior I saw with my group awhile back was after a temp swing in the water. Males started making nests, and pursuing the largest female (and only one female). These things don't reach sexual maturity until at least 8 feet or so... with (from what I've seen) females being larger than males. Males might start a little sooner. You'll want mixed areas of substrate ranging from sand to small rock.