trying to breed my umbees

[ceejayt2k]

I have been trying to breed my umbees. My male is about 14-15" and my female is about 6-7". I have been feeding them pellets, beefheart, and store bought shrimp. Water parameters are pH 7 and temperature ranges from 77 to 80 degrees F. They are separated by a divider to protect the female. Does anyone have any suggestions as to prepare them for breeding?

 

[pckts]

Full Tank shots?

 

[Freshwaterpredators]

Nice umbees. Try pulling diveder and see how they act together for a lil bit then put it back up. But before that do a 50-60% water change. Try using high protein diet ie: shrimp, bloodworms, krill. Then continue water changes every other day or two but only like 20-30%. for about a week or so. The water changes act as spring rain which induces breeding for most species. Then up the temp to 80-83 and keep trying to fatten up female throughout the process. Also cut a hole in divider big enough for female to go back and forth.
I made mine big enough she wouldn't be damaged by sharp edges. Then cut a piece of egg crate larger than hole and rigged it up with fishing line so I could use it as trap door that way I wasn't have to put divider in and out all the time, stressing the fish and making a mess. This way I could give them supervised visitation when it was convenient for me.
Good luck with your breeding project. Hope it works. Everyone uses different techniques this one works for all my pairs

 

[ceejayt2k]

Thanks for the tip freshwaterpredator. Sounds like a good idea. I will have to try that out. thanks