Breeding Aspidoras?

[Becca]

I know a few people on this forum have had Aspidoras cats spawn for them - any tips? Is this just a watch and wait thing?

I've got 6 (I think that's how many I bought) in a tank with sand substrate, couple of branches, elodea, and java moss. There are a few really cute baby BN in there that I've had a devil of a time getting out (I know, they will nom eggs).

The Aspi's are small, so maybe they're not mature yet. I know what Cory eggs look like, so I figure these are probably similar, but so far I'm not seeing anything.

Tank is heated to mid 70's and I've got a whisper filter on there with a pre-filter and self-cut media.

 

[b considine]

Water change and strong flow are what get my CW052s in the mood.

Blaise

 

[Becca]

Ok, well, there's definitely strong flow - the filter is oversized and turned all the way up - I can't turn it down because the thing that adjusts flow is broken off. Water change is easy enough, too! I do small ones - are you talking a biggun?

I remember with Corys we used to do a HUGE change with water that was cooler than what was in the tank to simulate rainfall.

 

[ddavila06]

Ok, well, there's definitely strong flow - the filter is oversized and turned all the way up - I can't turn it down because the thing that adjusts flow is broken off. Water change is easy enough, too! I do small ones - are you talking a biggun?

I remember with Corys we used to do a HUGE change with water that was cooler than what was in the tank to simulate rainfall.

i do about 50% on my tanks and also feed them live worms before and after- magically i pull little clutches of eggs a few days afters
some of mine lay in different ways: my A. sp black fin lay them at the very top of the tank, right at the edge of the water...
while my A. sp black fin chose a spot behing a sponge filter and always lay them there.

 

[msjinkzd]

Yes, condition them with live or frozen foods. I have the best luck when I use a sponge filter with a wide tube cranked all the way up. The aspidoras like to lay their eggs IN the tube, directly in the current.

 

[Becca]

Interesting... I might be able to stick a piece of PVC pipe under the filter on there now... As for my sponge filter, I'm afraid it's kind of lame because all I've got are old/small air-pumps. Waiting for the right time to spring "we should invest in a good air pump" on my husband... This month isn't it after refurbishing the 150...

 

[b considine]

Becca,

Looks like Damian, Rachel and I are all telling you the same thing: Good diet, fairly large water change (with cooler water in my case), and somewhere they can access strong flow. (Mine lay on the filter return.) Trust me, they'll do the rest.

Also consider throwing in some dried oak leaves or other tannin source. Acidifies the water and has a mild antibacterial property. Alder cones and almond leaves are also commonly used.

If yours aren't spawning yet, they might simply be immature.

Ironically, the same methods are not currently working on any of my other corys.

Blaise

 

[Becca]

Becca,

Looks like Damian, Rachel and I are all telling you the same thing: Good diet, fairly large water change (with cooler water in my case), and somewhere they can access strong flow. (Mine lay on the filter return.) Trust me, they'll do the rest.

Also consider throwing in some dried oak leaves or other tannin source. Acidifies the water and has a mild antibacterial property. Alder cones and almond leaves are also commonly used.

If yours aren't spawning yet, they might simply be immature.

Ironically, the same methods are not currently working on any of my other corys.

Blaise

Yep! There are some branches in there right under the filter flow and I have peat-bags in place. Oak leaves are easy to come by, too. I am pretty sure mine are not all mature yet, since I got the smaller ones that Josh had. Just trying to get all of my ducks in a row so that when they're ready to go they have everything they need.

There is nary a tank in my house (Holly and Jason can testify to this) that isn't filled with "weak tea" water.

 

[b considine]

If you purchased the aspidoras spilotus from Josh, they're still a ways from being mature enough to spawn.

Patience young Padawan.

Blaise

 

[Becca]

If you purchased the aspidoras spilotus from Josh, they're still a ways from being mature enough to spawn.

Patience young Padawan.

Blaise

Indeed! In that case, I won't worry that I'm doing something wrong .

At least they look like the same species, which is more than I can say for my cute little Dicrossus "pair."