Help with breeding Guinacara
- Thread starter beerad555
- Start date
I have had them spawn a few times, but always in a large community setting so never got to the fry stage (so far)
They like to breeding in caves, either that they can dig, or provided.
The eggs are green.
Mine have done well in a harem situation, the first spawn occurred in a tank with 10 Guianacara, the pair separated themselves from the group and defended the cave.
I then separated the 10 into 2 tanks in groups of 5 with 1 obvious male, and 4 females, one pair is spawning now.
I've been doing large water changes that have seemed to spurred the spawning (40% daily)
spawning colors are quite noticeable from this normal color
to the above.
Mine first spawned at just over 2", the alpha males are now pushing 5"
I've provided 1.5" PVC caves for one group to see if it aids in a successful spawn
They like to breeding in caves, either that they can dig, or provided.
The eggs are green.
Mine have done well in a harem situation, the first spawn occurred in a tank with 10 Guianacara, the pair separated themselves from the group and defended the cave.
I then separated the 10 into 2 tanks in groups of 5 with 1 obvious male, and 4 females, one pair is spawning now.
I've been doing large water changes that have seemed to spurred the spawning (40% daily)
spawning colors are quite noticeable from this normal color
to the above.
Mine first spawned at just over 2", the alpha males are now pushing 5"
I've provided 1.5" PVC caves for one group to see if it aids in a successful spawn
Thanks for the info. I am about to reintroduce the male with the female in a 20 gal tank. I had to separate her from the 125 gal community due to him nipping her to death.Is there a particular temp that is ideal for spawning? and are daily water changes necessary? I was planning on putting in flower pot but is pvc better?
I have had them spawn a few times, but always in a large community setting so never got to the fry stage (so far)
They like to breeding in caves, either that they can dig, or provided.
The eggs are green.
Mine have done well in a harem situation, the first spawn occurred in a tank with 10 Guianacara, the pair separated themselves from the group and defended the cave.
I then separated the 10 into 2 tanks in groups of 5 with 1 obvious male, and 4 females, one pair is spawning now.
I've been doing large water changes that have seemed to spurred the spawning (40% daily)
spawning colors are quite noticeable from this normal color
to the above.
Mine first spawned at just over 2", the alpha males are now pushing 5"
I've provided 1.5" PVC caves for one group to see if it aids in a successful spawn
I don't think that a 20g, high especially, will be adequate.
I've found that they do best in a community as it helps the pair to bond (vs. the male fixating on the female).
Mine staked out and spawned in a ceramic log... They're good parents but you'll need to remove the fry / wigglers (conveniently stored in the log at night) to raise them.
Matt
I've found that they do best in a community as it helps the pair to bond (vs. the male fixating on the female).
Mine staked out and spawned in a ceramic log... They're good parents but you'll need to remove the fry / wigglers (conveniently stored in the log at night) to raise them.
Matt
I agree with Matt, (especially with the history of your pair) in a small tank like a 29, the male will probably kill the female.
I have 2 pairs spawning in separate community tanks at the moment, and with other Guianancara, and other species present. That other activity seems to have focused the male outward, and he is showing no aggression to the female at all. I believe in the end, if I get any fry at all, they will need to be very early on, siphoned out.
My suggestion would be to let them spawn in the 125, and then divide it if possible. That way the male will still perceive the other fish as immediate threats and his attention will be at them.
I would also ( I know this is often easier said than done) get a few extra females if possible.
As far as a spawning site, I don't think it matters what is used.
In one tank, a 100gal one pair is using PVC.
In the other tank, a 150 the pair has commandeered an area under a log, and place the eggs on the back of a vertically positioned rock. Below left.
They are great parents, defending against everything from other Guianacara and cichlids, to a bristlenose pleco, and some Synodontus petricola, which seems to have really cemented the pair bond.
I have 2 pairs spawning in separate community tanks at the moment, and with other Guianancara, and other species present. That other activity seems to have focused the male outward, and he is showing no aggression to the female at all. I believe in the end, if I get any fry at all, they will need to be very early on, siphoned out.
My suggestion would be to let them spawn in the 125, and then divide it if possible. That way the male will still perceive the other fish as immediate threats and his attention will be at them.
I would also ( I know this is often easier said than done) get a few extra females if possible.
As far as a spawning site, I don't think it matters what is used.
In one tank, a 100gal one pair is using PVC.
In the other tank, a 150 the pair has commandeered an area under a log, and place the eggs on the back of a vertically positioned rock. Below left.
They are great parents, defending against everything from other Guianacara and cichlids, to a bristlenose pleco, and some Synodontus petricola, which seems to have really cemented the pair bond.
Well I decided to introduce the male w the female in the 20 gal and it appears that they are trying to spawn. I have no experience with breeding what so ever and was hoping you can tell me exactly how they act when they are spawning. They are circling each other often, lip locking a lot, she appears to be digging in the sand as if she is forming a bed. Sometimes it appears to be pretty aggressive actions taking place.
Maybe you've lucked out, give them some cave like structures, old PVC, flower pots or the like.
With mine the females color hasn't changed much other than just a bit brighter, but the male has these extra semi transparent, half bars, that weren't there before.
With mine the females color hasn't changed much other than just a bit brighter, but the male has these extra semi transparent, half bars, that weren't there before.
Is the obsessive lip locking part of the spawning , I seperated them again thinking this was the male getting ready to kill her, like I said Iam all new to this and just wondering what are all the things they do when they spawn thanks.
Maybe you've lucked out, give them some cave like structures, old PVC, flower pots or the like.
With mine the females color hasn't changed much other than just a bit brighter, but the male has these extra semi transparent, half bars, that weren't there before.