curviceps breeding!

[Richled13]

Well, I managed to luck out and get a pair of curviceps (they might actually be dorsigera because they both have spots on their dorsal fin) on the first try! They are definitely hard to sex, but a hint I followed and which worked out was to go for one colorful one, and one less colorful one. The pointiness of the fins also was a factor I took into consideration.

Anyway, now I have a pit full of wrigglers, who hatched about two days ago. I know I am waiting for them to become free swimmers, but should I do water changes in the meantime? I did a very small one yesterday, but I don’t want to disturb them.

Also, as far as food, I have some Hikari First Bites. Will this work, or should I get something else?

 

[darth pike]

Post pics, we'll be able to tell curviceps from dorsigera (has to do with the color at the rear of the dorsal lining, red/orange for dorsigera, white/blue for curivceps).

BBS is best, but they have hardy fry. First bites should work okay. For first time parents, I would disturb them as little as possible, only doing a wc if you think the water really really needs it. Otherwise I'd let it go for a bit.

 

[Richled13]

Thanks!

What is the appropriate age for the BBS to be fed to the fry? I don't have any empty tanks right now, so I need to hatch them in a tank where they will quickly die, or alternatively in a tiny betta "tank" that a betta came in. So timing will likely be an issu

 

[japes]

Here's some pretty useful info for Curviceps/Dorsigera from a local forum of mine.

Get a micro worm culture - Someone on the forum should have one to get you started .
And if you can get some brine shrimp eggs and as soon as the fry hatch start a brine shrimp hatch - that should keep them going .
Also watch your ammonia / nitrates / nitrites .
Better luck next time !
I have 2 Pr of curviceps but both pairs eat the fry immediately they hatch - I have not tried hand raising them yet as I have not had the time .

 

[Richled13]

My attempts at pictures failed as they were very blurry. I think I need to fiddle with the settings of my camera a little.

Well, the wigglers are free swimming now. I have seen them appear to eat at small patches of algae: are they actually eating? That would be great because I am gone for work for a long period each day and I can’t feed them, and I know they need a lot of food.

It is pretty great watching the parents herd them around, grabbing the ones that wander off in their mouth and then spitting them back into the group.

 

[VOYTEK]

My attempts at pictures failed as they were very blurry. I think I need to fiddle with the settings of my camera a little.

Well, the wigglers are free swimming now. I have seen them appear to eat at small patches of algae: are they actually eating? That would be great because I am gone for work for a long period each day and I can’t feed them, and I know they need a lot of food.

It is pretty great watching the parents herd them around, grabbing the ones that wander off in their mouth and then spitting them back into the group.

any updates ? I just got a pair and I like those little guys =]


good luck