baldtaxguy;4926585; said:
A lower temperature may inhibit spawning, but it will also slow the overall metabolic rate of the fish and, therefore, slow the growth rate. It'd be self-defeating because the owner wants the fish to grow.
How to stop stunt from early breeding?
- Thread starter cacichlids
- Start date
A lower temperature may inhibit spawning, but it will also slow the overall metabolic rate of the fish and, therefore, slow the growth rate. It'd be self-defeating because the owner wants the fish to grow.
Well apparently I got lucky
They lost their breeding coloration overnight and now the male is chasing the female away from his territory. He's not doing any damage but he's not courting her either.
My guess is
1. She laid eggs and the pictus catfish ate them during the night
2. She is not ready to breed yet (she's barely 2.5 inches, the male is about an inch bigger)
She's definitely a female though, her breeding tube is round and fat and the male is thin and pointed.
I think now would be a great time to put a divider and bulk her up for future breeding
Any ideas?
They lost their breeding coloration overnight and now the male is chasing the female away from his territory. He's not doing any damage but he's not courting her either.
My guess is
1. She laid eggs and the pictus catfish ate them during the night
2. She is not ready to breed yet (she's barely 2.5 inches, the male is about an inch bigger)
She's definitely a female though, her breeding tube is round and fat and the male is thin and pointed.
I think now would be a great time to put a divider and bulk her up for future breeding
Any ideas?
Natalie;4926646; said:
You're probably right. Have you read anything on this topic - growth rates and breeding, and growth rates and temp? Sounds like this would an easy thing for someone to study/experiment? I'm surprised I have not, but it (lower temp = lower growth rate) does makes sense.
baldtaxguy;4927413; said:
I work with fish, and the subject has been studied a lot in food fish (i.e., determining conditions for optimal growth). It's well known that the metabolic rate of fishes is dependent on water temperature, because they're poikilothermic (cold-blooded). Every fish has it's "optimal" temperature range, and the highest temperature at which it will grow optimally without causing adverse effects to the body systems. For example, tilapia (which are cichlids) have an optimal temp of 84-86 degrees.
There is a negative side to placing a fish in a constantly warm temperature to get the quickest growth: it shortens their lifespan. They reach maturity more quickly and therefore age more quickly and die more quickly. This isn't a problem for food fish because they're harvested and eaten once they reach market size. But it could take years off the lives of your pet fish. I used to want optimal growth in my pet cichlids and grew them out at a constant temperature in the low to mid 80s. I'm not going to ever do this again, because I didn't realize I was shortening their lifespans.
cacichlids;4927150; said:
How big is the tank? If the male isn't stressing her out too much, it might be ok to leave them together and give her full run of the tank. But if he's being mean, it might be best to separate them until she can get some size. Sounds like that male is eager to make babies.
Natalie;4928277; said:
90 Gal
2 Blue Acaras
2 Baby Firemouth (1.5 inches) - They are peaceful and only chase each other.
2 Pictus Catfish (4 inches) - Only come out during the night
2 Clown Loaches (1.5 inches)
Honestly he's not really harming her, he's just being annoying but there's no nipping or anything.
breeding many times can have effect but once or twice wouldnt hurt. They breed and recover. It's a natural thing. They eat when breeding too.
Natalie;4928258; said:
This is interesting and potentially important. Could you elaborate a bit more - any data on this?
Also wondering if a negative correlation between maximal size and breeding age has actually been established....I fear this too.
Thanks
