Fertility Rate

[COLBOIG]

I have a pair of Marboro Red, the 1st spawn gave me around 100++ fries. Was very happy with the spawn. I have since separate the fries from the parents.

About 1 month later, the pair spawn again, however this time, only around 10 fries were hatched. I have tried to raise the fries but not successful.

Another 2 weeks later, the pair spawn again, this time only 5 wrigglers were spotted.

What is happening to my pair??

Very likely is the location of the spawn. IMHO Fertilization is taken place only when the male's breeding tube touches the egg. They don't spray like salmon. You'll never see discus milk flowing around. So the water flow theory should not affact it. It could be the location of the eggs where the male's breeding tube was unable to touch the eggs when he made the passes. Water condition esp.PH plays a big factor on hatch rate from different strain of discus. Other experts may disagree. But we are not here to judge. do what's best for your pair to obtain the best hatch rate. Just my $0.02.

Jimmy.

[Discus_Lover]

Dear Jimmy,

As far as I know the male fertilizing the eggs by spraying and not by touching the eggs.
Most of the breeders and experts recommend keeping low current/water flow during the fertilizations process!
Are you positive of what you are saying and if so it would be highly appreciated if you could provide me with your sources?

Regards,
Tariq

[Willie]

COLBOIG;

What you're seeing is fairly common. Most breeders try to space the spawns by prolific pairs by separating the fish -- either with a divider or in different tanks. After a successful (large) spawn, the pair may spawn shortly afterwards. Because the female has not fully recovered, the result is a small spawn. Well, small spawns are usually eaten. So after 5 - 6 days, the pair tries to spawn again. Another small spawn -- same result.

If you have a prolific pair, physically separate them for a good 2 weeks after taking the babies off. If you don't, you run the chance that they produce a series of small spawns. By then, the parents get into the habit of eating the spawns, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

Good luck, Willie

[COLBOIG]

Thanks for sharing, guys :) :)

Does food plays a role in the fertility rate as well? Is there such a food like "viagra" pills for Discus?? ;D ;D ;D

I have a huge matured male Snake Skin (about 3 years ) with no results after 8 ~ 9 spawn (With different females of course). Will I ever get a successful spawn from this male?
I was thinking of giving up if still no more result. :( :(

Thanks and Regards

[cobalt]

yes food does have a direct impact.
vitamin C has direct correlation to s[awn size, more vit c more eggs. but don't o d ! :coffee:
males that are short on omega 3 fatty acids tend to have low fertility, also zinc deficency may have some impact on sperm count in fish.

Keep 'em well fed with a rounded diet :lickin:

COBALT

[kokebon]

hey cobalt:

so what do you suggest we feed the breeding pair so that they consume enough vitamins?

just blood worms?

thanks

Kokebon

p.s. my pair is in the vicious cycle of spawning every 7 days. I am going to move one of them!!!

[THEDISCUSGUY]

hey guys ,
i have the same problem with my only breeders. they have been trying for probably over two months!!how long will they keep trying for what is the cycle?but for the first 6-7 weeks i had no wrigglers so wasnt sure they were m and f .then we got around 40 wriglers ,i was very happy with ! but they all died cause the tank wasnt set up right.it had large stone gravel ,fry got caught in it and died .and the parents transferd them to a filter and some got sucked in ! but since then i set them up in a bare bottom tank safer filter .i used a third older water from another tank and the rest new . they spawned a week later like usuall but only a few wrigglers .and this week the same only like ten wrigglers so they at them up. so does ph have a effect on hatch rate and the temp . should i add more air to the tank . i have no airstone in there. please help rookie there a very attractive pair. males a blue cobalt and the female is a royal red. ??? ??? ??? :-\

[Carol_Roberts]

Hardness is more important than pH. Maybe your GH is a little high so less hatch or maybe too much wter current?
Carol :heart1:

[THEDISCUSGUY]

hi carol my gh is 71ppm i should get to around 20 30 right ?how do u acheive this . my ph is 6.8 my kh was 35 ppm temp is 30. i have hardly any current in there watso ever only a spongefilter working off a air pump.i use a product called geo liquid from a company in japan called FLEX, IT IS TOTALLY NATURAL MINERALS AND CLAIMS TO DO EVERTHING TO BE ABLE TO USE TAP WATER SAFELY FOR DISCUS HAVE U HEARD OF IT?

Tarig: I already mentioned that we're not here to judge. for your own infomation. It all came from my bleeding experience for the last 30 years. I experiment with the same breeding Pair by varying flows. Ph, conductivities, Temp. and Then with different partners and crossing different strains. Old males, Young males, in-breeding with 7 generations with Wattley's own turquoise. You name it. I've done it. Since it's just a life time hobby for me. I don't have to proof it to anyone. You can take it with a grain of salt. It's your fish. But please don't question my findings. I gain nothing from here by telling you lie or the truth and I never sell one single discus through the forum. On the contrary, Just show me a picture of Discus milk. Otherwise,
Have a nice day.
Jimmy.

[Carol_Roberts]

I wish I had the experience and success JimmyL has had breeding discus. He has bred many different strains through the years under different conditions. I always read his posts very carefully and would tend to believe his findings even if they differed with my own (which are very limited in comparison, lol).

TDG: You should try to vary the conditions and see what works for you. I don't know what Flex is, but I don't think I'd be adding anything to my breeding tank.

CArol :heart1:

[THEDISCUSGUY]

the product im talkin about is a total natural product. it has all natural minerals .what do u do carol to treat ur water when doing water changes for a breeding tank.

[Carol_Roberts]

I have a well. I mix 50% tap water and 50% RO water. I heat it and agitate it to release CO2 which stabilizes the pH. (Some people use an airstone to burble the water overnight. I use a pond pump to agitate it for three hours). There is no chlorine in my well water. I add nothing.

The rest of my tanks get straight water (no RO). No additives, no acids, just clean water that is exactly like the water in their tanks.
Carol :heart1: