Re: J. floridae (was [Killietalk] Conditioning breeders)

[Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>]

Diane,

Diane Brown <debunix at well_com> wrote:

> And maybe a little romantic music?

I can't say how well that will work, but *much* larger tanks than you 
are looking at (29G and 3G) are probably called for. If more than one 
pair is involved, a 55G is barely big enough, even if very heavily 
planted. [As I recall, mine were kept in the 78-80F temp. range.]

Lee gets away with a trio in a 6G, but that, IMHO, is a fluke and not 
typical. Maybe he never got them into a *real* breeding frenzy? IDK.

I found a 10G for a single pair was way too small for comfort (and 
safety of the female, who really got chowdered before I rescued her).

The same has been true, IME, for most other pupfish species. They are 
not like the tiny puddlefish of Africa or SA. Give them *lots* of 
veggies, and a little bit more space, or you will not be rewarded with 
their more interesting behaviour. Conditioning requires a balance of 
veggies and high-protein worms or insects. [Forget BS as they are 
essentially worthless for *floridae*.]

Juveniles often are easier, but grown fish are territorial and need 
serious space, IME. I have seen a frenzied, frustrated male take a 
mouth-size bite right out of a tough Amazon Sword leaf! They do have 
wicked teeth!

Wright

--
Wright Huntley - Rt. 001 Box K36, Bishop CA 93514 - whuntley at verizon_net
                    760 872-3995

        Eschew obfuscation and bloviation!



To join the AKA see http://www.aka.org/pages/join.html
Archives are at http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/