Spot Raphael Breeding Assistance

[daleteekz]

Hey everyone.

I have 3 Spot Raphaels. Looks like 1 male, 2 female. Going to be setting up a breeding environment for them.

I haven't been able to find information online about the requirements are for breeding. Has anyone had any success, or any tips?


Thanks

 

[joe jaskot]

Have not read any reports of these fish being bred in captivity. Some say the fish may be a bubble nest breeder.

 

[daleteekz]

Thanks. Seems people are keeping it a secret.

Even with "assistance", anyone know of the technique?

 

[knifegill]

Striped raphs are being farmed in tropical troughs outdoors in tropical regions. I tried spawning the striped, got nowhere. Used rainwater, temp swings, feast and famine, changing daylight hours, etc. I decided to quit when I was considering adding coffee to their water, lol. I had huge wads of plants and some fake above ground "bank" set up, nothing ever happened.

That said, somebody DID breed striped raphs by accident, the male turned orange-ish at spawning time, female had a bigger belly, they cave spawned IIRC. Check youtube, google, it's out there. Maybe male spotteds also take on a yellower/orange hue when they are ready to mate?

Amblydoras Nauticus is another suspected bubble nester...I've just decided to enjoy my raphs instead of toying with them. But I wish you the best!

 

[knifegill]

This simple photo alone

from http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Catfish, Raphael.htm indicates by the differences in spotting that we still have a LOT to learn about these fish. I suspect, much like the legendary "convict cichlid" of times past (no less than three different species carelessly clumped together and hybridized to oblivion), that several subspecies exist and have not been properly classified.

 

[knifegill]

White-spot Dorydid, Talking Catfish, Spotted Talking Catfish, Spotted Raphael Catfish
[
Agamyxis pectinfrons
SYN : Doraspectinfrons
PD : The body is black in color with an irregular pattern of white spots. The back has 6-8 ridges of spines that run from the gill cover to the caudal fin. The mouth is large and has three pairs of barbels -- one on the upper jaw and two on the lower. The dorsal fin stands erect, and like all the fins, are body color.
SIZE : To 6" (15 cm)
SS : None
H: Shallow flood ponds. South America; in Eastern Peru and Ecuador
A: bottom
TANK : 36" (91 cm) or 35-45 gallons (132-170 L) is sufficient. The tank should be well-planted with a cover of floating plants to diffuse the light. Use a fine gravel bottom and provide hiding places with caves,rocks, wood, and roots.
WATER : pH 5.8-7.5 (7.0), 2-20 dH (10), 66-82°F (19-28°C)
FOOD : Live; Tubifex , insect larvae , Brine Shrimp , fish fry; tablets
SB : A calm, peaceful fish that is recommended for a community tank. It can be kept with medium to large fish, but not with fish under 1.6" (4 cm), as they may be eaten. A nocturnal species.
SB : South and Central American cichlids, larger characins, Pimelodus, Trichogaster.
SC : Females are plumper than males.
B : Spawning success has been reported, although it is usually accidental. Eggs are laid among floating plants.
BP : 10. The White Spotted Dorydid has rarely been bred in captivity. Little information is available.
R : Has the ability to make an audible "growling" sound by rotating its pectoral fins. This sound is amplified by the swim bladder. No two individuals have the identical color or pattern. Like other fish of this family, the White Spotted Doradid becomes easily entangled in a net, so a glass jar or plastic bag should be used.
DC : 3. A robust catfish suggested for a community tank.
Read more at http://fish.mongabay.com/doradidae.htm#amy9X037GvffBOvC.99

From http://fish.mongabay.com/doradidae.htm thinks they have actually spawned in captivity. Is this an error? Possibly. Interesting nonetheless.

 

[knifegill]

Also, which species do you have?

http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=881

or

http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=313

?

Since we can't know without dissecting them, we're just going to have to be okay with the idea that we may be hybridizing for now.

 

[knifegill]

This photo claims to ID the sexes: http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/image.php?species=agamyxis_pectinifrons&image_id=3826

I suspect the girth of the female is their indicator, but I may be incorrect.

 

[daleteekz]

Thanks everyone for the input. I am quite confident I have the Agamyxis Pectinifrons.

There is definitely someone in Australia that is breeding them. Or was, until they passed away recently. I dont think that guy is sharing information as he is trying to track down new adults to continue breeding.

But I do have 2 females, 1 male. First project is also going to be trying the stripes.

 

[knifegill]

I am quite confident I have the Agamyxis Pectinifrons.

You already dissected a few? And they are all one batch from a direct import, same collection site?