Looking to get into breeding as a hobby (read)

[fisheatfish]

I've had mine for a few months, and they haven't bred at all. While they were in my 55, they ate my kribs' fry and Amazon sword, though

This is my 75 community tank. They breed readily with all the traffic in those terracotta watering tubes as caves. Very important to keep them well fed. Many people think they feed on driftwood and algae...they do to an extent but most tanks don’t produce enough to sustain them. To avoid the young fry from being eaten by other fish, I rob them of the fry as soon as they start wiggling.

 

[fisheatfish]

I have came across those as many YouTubers have them in the tanks as well. The question is would I be stuck with them or can I move the pretty quickly?

They moved pretty quickly in the beginning to local buyers. Then I started selling batches when they’re still young (1/2 inch size) or as soon as they started eating. Time didn’t permit me to ship but the web is a big market. Note...these guys are slow growers and they’re more in demand at around 2 to 2 1/2 inches, which is when the bristles start showing and these guys can eat, so feed, feed, feed nonstop....and needless to say, water changes.

 

[fisheatfish]

This is my 75 community tank. They breed readily with all the traffic in those terracotta watering tubes as caves. Very important to keep them well fed. Many people think they feed on driftwood and algae...they do to an extent but most tanks don’t produce enough to sustain them. To avoid the young fry from being eaten by other fish, I rob them of the fry as soon as they start wiggling.View attachment 1330455View attachment 1330456

Sorry left out shot of the community:

 

[RedneckHutch]

Sorry left out shot of the community:View attachment 1330463

I love your set up! Want is gernally the best food for these guys? Also I have heard they take a long time to grow as well, about how long would it take them to get to two inches? Or is it worth selling them when they are young or better to grow them out you think?

 

[J. H.]

Mollies are easy to find buyers for, but not much $ unless they are some kind of exotic. Kribs are harder, because noone wants more than a pair, but are more likely to be worth $3-5, rather than $.50 for mollies. BNs will beat up kribs and eat their babies. IDK about the molly babies, but they left 1/2" guppies alone.

(I am learning from fisheatfish just as much as R RedneckHutch . I am no expert)

 

[fisheatfish]

I love your set up! Want is gernally the best food for these guys? Also I have heard they take a long time to grow as well, about how long would it take them to get to two inches? Or is it worth selling them when they are young or better to grow them out you think?

Thank you.

They’re not picky eaters...I feed them flakes, spinach, carrots, green beans, fruits, etc but mainly zucchini...blanched so they’ll sink.

3-4 days from day eggs are laid for tail to start wiggling and another 4 days till they start eating on their own. Not sure but at the rate I feed them, which is constantly, 4-5 months to reach 2 inches would be my guess.

Removing the eggs early, allowed them to prepare for another spawn quickly so I reached a point where I had so many fry and trying to grow out the ones I had, I opted to sell them young. You’ll make more growing them out.

 

[RedneckHutch]

Thank you.

They’re not picky eaters...I feed them flakes, spinach, carrots, green beans, fruits, etc but mainly zucchini...blanched so they’ll sink.

3-4 days from day eggs are laid for tail to start wiggling and another 4 days till they start eating on their own. Not sure but at the rate I feed them, which is constantly, 4-5 months to reach 2 inches would be my guess.

Removing the eggs early, allowed them to prepare for another spawn quickly so I reached a point where I had so many fry and trying to grow out the ones I had, I opted to sell them young. You’ll make more growing them out.

Thanks you so much for the information! I am really thinking about doing these guys. What size thanks would you recommend me use for breeding these guy. Also for the growing out process, do you normally put them all in one tank once they get to a size so the other do not eat them?

Another thing I really would like to ask is how many types are there and which ones are worth doing?

and again fisheatfish thanks for all the valuable information.

 

[fisheatfish]

Thanks you so much for the information! I am really thinking about doing these guys. What size thanks would you recommend me use for breeding these guy. Also for the growing out process, do you normally put them all in one tank once they get to a size so the other do not eat them?

Another thing I really would like to ask is how many types are there and which ones are worth doing?

and again fisheatfish thanks for all the valuable information.

You’re very welcome.

20 gal long would be ideal for breeding. I’d recommend 2 males and 2 females together.

They do not eat each other...however keep them well fed. As you can see, fry and adults eat together:


I keep the wigglers with their yolk sack separate till they can feed on their own, then they can be kept with any size. These guys are ready to go in with the others...dime for size reference:


Types I know of: regular brown, long fin brown, albino, albino longfin, red, green, calico (cross between albino & brown). They’re all worth breeding. However, the albinos are much more in demand. Here’s a nice shot of a young male calico I bred showing the yellow and brown combination:


I’m particularly fond of this male longfin:

 

[RedneckHutch]

You’re very welcome.

20 gal long would be ideal for breeding. I’d recommend 2 males and 2 females together.

They do not eat each other...however keep them well fed. As you can see, fry and adults eat together:
View attachment 1330488

I keep the wigglers with their yolk sack separate till they can feed on their own, then they can be kept with any size. These guys are ready to go in with the others...dime for size reference:
View attachment 1330491

Types I know of: regular brown, long fin brown, albino, albino longfin, red, green, calico (cross between albino & brown). They’re all worth breeding. However, the albinos are much more in demand. Here’s a nice shot of a young male calico I bred showing the yellow and brown combination:
View attachment 1330492

I’m particularly fond of this male longfin:
View attachment 1330494
View attachment 1330495

I love the pictures! I'll be sure to look up all the ones you listed. I will most likely go with albinos as I know petco/petsmart had a couple. I may go an hour to get them from a more mom and pop store or perhaps order them.

 

[fisheatfish]

I love the pictures! I'll be sure to look up all the ones you listed. I will most likely go with albinos as I know petco/petsmart had a couple. I may go an hour to get them from a more mom and pop store or perhaps order them.

I’d order some juveniles or breeder sizes from a breeder who can help you distinguish males from females. I purchased some 1” fry and they’re finally breeding for me over a year later. This info may help expedite your efforts.