Outdoor Jack Dempsey spawn

[C. Breeze]

Try to get it started with enough Anacharis and hornwort that it covers about 2/3 the surface kind of sparsely. 2 examples below. I started a fry vat late this year and an apistogramma vat late this year. The fry vat looks darker because it was started with only green water from other vats. The apistogramma vat was started with the hose, and the next day a 5 gallon bucket from a green pond this constituted about 1/2 full. Rain has filled it the rest of the way and there are significant signs of spawning activity but no cloud of fry yet. HRP would be good ones to throw out now. Prolific in most conditions. Some fish will shut it down soon with the shortening days especially fish that are closer to wild. But either way this kind of plant coverage will help insure you dont blow out green right now when you want to see and will let the fish feel really secure so they will “show off”

 

[Gman9272]

Thank you I appreciate the tips!

 

[tlindsey]

Here’s a huge spawn. At no point are even half the fry visible. At about 10 seconds the dad comes into view below the fry.

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View attachment 1466373

That's a awesome site.

 

[Hybridfish7]

What tubs do you use?

 

[C. Breeze]

I like tuff stuff because they are best foot print per gallon. The behlen 328 is the best vat for cichlids that’s easily available but it’s pricey and it’s not super available. For short ovals tuff stuff is where it’s at. I’ve got 2 110 3 140 2 180 and I am happy with them for pairs or trios. Or maybe 2 pair if they’re mild.

 

[C. Breeze]

I’ll add this- I do not aerate or filter becuase if you do -where I am the whole thing gets super hot. If i let it sit and stratify, the top few inches is all that gets 90 and then it cools right back down once the sun is down and the large mass of water that’s only like 84 cools it down.
Then at night it all drops to about 76.

 

[bobblehead27]

I’ll add this- I do not aerate or filter becuase if you do -where I am the whole thing gets super hot. If i let it sit and stratify, the top few inches is all that gets 90 and then it cools right back down once the sun is down and the large mass of water that’s only like 84 cools it down.
Then at night it all drops to about 76.

Where are you located if you don't mind me asking?

 

[C. Breeze]

Coastal Georgia

which is 32 degrees north of the equator the Dempseys can go out around mid April. They can take water down to 55 (I think 52f is the published number) without loss of equilibrium. I bring them in around Halloween.

 

[bobblehead27]

Coastal Georgia

which is 32 degrees north of the equator the Dempseys can go out around mid April. They can take water down to 55 (I think 52f is the published number) without loss of equilibrium. I bring them in around Halloween.

Wow. Awesome. Thank you for the information. I've always been interested in doing a cichlid pond, now that I'm stationed in Houston, I might have to indulge in one.

 

[C. Breeze]

I also keep a few species from Uruguay which is far enough south to be temperate. AKA they have winter and summer… fish can take water into the low 50s upper 40s for a couple months.
My Uruguay breeders are out year round here.