Re: [Killietalk] Killietalk Digest, Vol 52, Issue 45

["R. Schwiegerath" <critters at sdc_org>]

Hello All,

Here we go again with Blue gularis .  Here's my "how to" for this fish -:

                                                                                   
BLUE GULARIS

I have been breeding Blue gularis since the 1960s.  If ya' wanna' 
breedem' ; here's how I do it.  It doesn't take rocket science.  Just
the knowledge, guidance and observation of an "old-timer." 

First  -  breeders (in pairs or trios)  should be at least 1 year of 
age.  2 year olds even better.  ALL OF MY WATER CONTAINS 1/2 teaspoon of 
pure (pickling) salt per gallon. 

Best egg production is on LARGE sunken green and/or brown sunken dacron 
mops in (minimum) 10 gallon tank.  LOW LIGHT !!!!!  Tank
with some Java Moss, a corner box filter containing ONLY aquarium gravel 
and COVERED !!.  Once egg production becomes apparent;
collect water from the tank into a polystyrene container (mine are 2" 
deep x 6" long x 4' wide - Spray -Painted Black on the outside) add just 
enough acriflavine (neutral) solution to impart a pale green color.  
Wait 24 hours BEFORE introducing eggs to tray !!!!!!!!!!    Depending 
upon the time of year (according to my observations) eggs will develop 
to hatching stage in anywhere from ONE MONTH (eggs collected in late autumn)
to resting eggs (collected in summer) which may not eye-up for several 
months.  Eggs which remain clear after 3 days are usually fertile. There 
is definitely a time-of-year egg production and egg development for this 
fish.  Don't mean to be crude - BUT THIS FISH SPAWNS BEST IN IT'S OWN 
PISS !  I have gotten my best egg production in my dirtiest tanks !  And 
from November through March. 

Once fully eyed-up, one can wait for the eggs to begin hatching upon 
their own or (better) force hatch them by placing them in "newly aged  
water" in a 15 ml test tube for about 1 hour.  Don't forget about them - 
they will suffocate !  Newly hatched fry are placed into rearing tanks 
containing some Java Moss, a layer of aquarium gravel and some floating 
(Riccia) plants.  Fry are fed live baby brine shrimp 24 hours after 
hatching.  Graduate fry to appropriate-sized tank for rearing. You'll 
have sexable fish in about 6 months.

I give permission to any and all who wish to copy and or disseminate 
this information  - worldwide.

I think the biggest mistakes are collecting eggs before Nov. 1 and after 
March 30,  tanks that are too warm (my breeders are at about 75F or 
less),  frequent water changes are a no-no,  collect water from 
breeders' tank and add methylene blue/acriflavin 24 hours BEFORE 
collecting and adding eggs.  Eggs collected in warmer months will rest 
until the fall.  Eggs collected from Nov. through March will eye-up and 
hatch within a month.  Again - ALL OF MY WATER CONTAINS 1/2 tspn of pure 
salt per gallon. 

"Tanks,"

Bob Schwiegerath
Socorro, NM
 

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