P14 breeding question (for experienced breeders)

[arowana]

Hi,

November 2008 my 2 P14 females (sisters) both got their first nest; they where about 2,5 years old at that time and about 50 cm disksize. In february 2009 they both gave their second nest. After that (now over 10 months later) they didn't get pregnant anymore.

Strange thing is that the male also stopped trying to mate with them. The waterquality is perfect and I didn't make big changes in their environment. I can't explain why this is happing and tried the following thing last months:

1. I put in my breeding MM male.
Result: he did not try to mate and was not accepted by the P14 females.
2. I put in some water (with hormones) from the tank with my pregnant MM female. I did the same thing just after see gave birth.
Result: no action at all
3. I increased the feedingschule to 2 times a day.
Result: they become fatter, but no action.

Now I ordered ray/shark vitamines; I hope the get them after X-mas.

My question: does anybody have any idea how to explain this? Also: does anybody know how to get them breeding again? Thanx.

 

[African_Fever]

It sounds to me as if you've tried many possible solutions with your current stock, and many I would have thought would work. The only other possibility would be to try adding another male P14 if you have access to one (I know this might be next to impossible). The breeding MM male may not be seen as enough 'competition' by the P14 male to get him going again, and it may require the same species as competition to get him fired up again.

If it is not possible to find another P14 male (even one that you may borrow for a time), then possibly any male black ray (leo or very dark henlei) may provide even the visual stimulus of competition to get your P14 male going again. The completely different colouration of the MM might not have been the right cue or trigger.

 

[StefanW]

Hi,

you should possibly really try to get another male.....or maybe simply set your actual male on a nutritional regiment

Regards
Stefan

 

[arowana]

Hi,

you should possibly really try to get another male.....or maybe simply set your actual male on a nutritional regiment

Regards
Stefan

Thanks Stefan; maybe some friendly breeder can help me out . I did already seperate the male for a month (forgot to mention it above), but this didn't had any result.

Have you (or anyone else) ever heard of a prooven, healthy breedingmale that stopped breeding?

I never heard of that, that is the reason why I think that the females are the couse, I also noticed that they are quite agressive when the male is close.

Anyone ideas or simulair experiences?

 

[omojena]

were the rays single when they were breeding? if so maybe after the male married the female she stopped putting out. i hear this is a very common occurrence when males marry females.

also, maybe since you increased the feedings and the females put on weight, the male doesnt find them attractive anymore. i would dose with some beer. this always seems to get my friends interested in overwieght females!

 

[skynoch]

I've had males that were trying to breed but got gun shy when another of my rays became very aggressive and was always nipping at it. Maybe one of your females has been stressing your male.

 

[CrAzYNeSs]

Wonder what would happen if you crushed up 1/2 a pill of Viagra in the water........

Don't do it, but I'm just thinking out loud....

 

[SpeshulEd]

were the rays single when they were breeding? if so maybe after the male married the female she stopped putting out. i hear this is a very common occurrence when males marry females.

also, maybe since you increased the feedings and the females put on weight, the male doesnt find them attractive anymore. i would dose with some beer. this always seems to get my friends interested in overwieght females!

 

[StefanW]

maybe some friendly breeder can help me out .

No Problem!
You know, that one of my too many P14 males (already father of P14 pups), is for sale at the moment The other possibility to help you is, that I consent to help you by taking your OBVIOUSLY no longer "working" females

 

[arowana]

No Problem!
You know, that one of my too many P14 males (already father of P14 pups), is for sale at the moment The other possibility to help you is, that I consent to help you by taking your OBVIOUSLY no longer "working" females

You are to good for this world (I'll send you an e-mail).

On topic:

Have anyone else ever heard of a prooven, healthy breedingmale that stopped breeding?
I never heard of that, that is the reason why I think that the females are the cause of this. My male doesn't act stressed at all; he is just not interested since the last time they gave birth.

Could it be possible that the females have no eggs???