Re Killietalk Digest 246

Mark asked about A Australe Choc egg production, I think a 30 gall tank is too large

for this fish to produce eggs in any quantity. My own Australe Choc are housed in

a 12" x 8" x 8" tank about 2 gall, and can lay between 20 & 60 eggs per day under

ideal conditions EG:- plenty live food, little or no filtration and partial water changes

every week. I believe when kept in large tanks, the female can evade the males

mating urges, in small tanks she has less places to escape to, also one thing

I have observed with Australe species, unless the males have full white filament

extensions on their tails, fertilisation is poor.

Marks next query about N Guentheri, this fish can be a very hard driver, this can

take it's toll on females, I suggest having plenty of cover for the female to hide

and remove her once the diving has finished. As to size of this species, they

average about 5.5cm, incubation period of eggs stored in peat is 3 to 4 months.

I hope this helps you Mark, good luck and keep trying.

John.