Wild Trombeta x Wild Cuipeua

[Second Hand Pat]

Ryan, the Heckel was bowing at the females so suspect it is a young male but time with tell. It is a pushy little fish.

[joanstone]

The timing of the last spawn is the same as some curipera Xs that I have. Mine laid again last evening, so maybe any time for yours? I hope I have better luck than last time as well, but I'm not hopeful.

[Second Hand Pat]

Joan, these guys laid this past Monday so if they lay today or tomorrow that will be a seven day cycle. There is a fair chance they might eat their eggs again. Wishing you luck with the next spawn.

[joanstone]

Thanks, I'm not very hopeful. They have laid eggs many times, but the female lays them in a very spread out pattern on the side of the aquarium even though I have provided them with a nice flat surface. I would think that that would make fertilizing them a bit challenging. She doesn't lay many eggs either- maybe 75?. I might go back to an RO mix with them and give them more laying surface options, I'd like to give it a go with them.

[Second Hand Pat]

Joan, what is your GH? Also I had a couple of the Cuipeua X from Kenny when they first came out. They were both female and each paired with wild males. It took about six months for them to get to wiggler state. I lost interest in them as that was around the time the Tefe's started spawning.

[joanstone]

My gh is around 9 or 10. I would like to eliminate that as a possible reason for non hatching. I don't know if they aren't fertilized for various reasons or just can't hatch due to the water.

[Second Hand Pat]

Two things Joan, lower the GH to around 4 if you can. Also lower your temp to about 82. According to John the higher temps reduces the fertility of the male.

[joanstone]

Thanks, I'll try that.

[Second Hand Pat]

May have the second spawn tonight. Lots of shimmying, pecking and dry runs.

[joanstone]

Good luck! That's about right then. My fools laid eggs today--this time on the Cobalt Neotherm heater. That's a drawback of that heater. They're flat and you can't lay them totally horizontal or on the bottom of the tank. Eggs are fried.

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Joan, this is actually 13 days since the last spawn. I am uploading a video now. Bummer on them laying on the heater.

[Second Hand Pat]

Here's the video. Not a great one as the light was not great. Music will be added later.

[joanstone]

Oh yeah, sorry missed a week. Mine can't seem to get it right. No matter what I give them to lay on, they make a different odd choice. I'm up to my eyeballs with acara eggs and fry right now anyway. Three spawns each a day apart. I've no idea what I'll do with them all. Hope you wake up to eggs tomorrow!

[joanstone]

Perfect, that's exciting!

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Joan, hope they get it right soon.