Breeding M. thoracata

[Cory_lover]

Hey all, been having a pair of these hoplos for about 2 years now, and both are about 10cm long (with the female quite rounded in the belly region, and the male having a pair of bright orange pec fins).

Been researching via planetcatfish and scotcat etc, and i know they're bubble-nest breeders, but other than that, any other helpful tips on how to get them to spawn? They're housed in a 3ft tank with 14 other cory species. Temp ranges from 24-26degC, and pH of 6.4. Just a couple of days ago, I added a rectangle plastic lid (20cm x 10cm) to float at the water surface. Over the next few days, I noticed the male making a small bubble nest under the lid (but compared to some other photos I've seen, it pales in comparison).

So what exactly should I do now? any changes i hafta make?

Thanks!

[Cory_lover]

also, what colour are the eggs? If they're whitish/cream in colour, wouldn't they be hard to distinguish from the bubbles in the nest? And is it advisable to just lift up the entire plastic lid and transfer it to another tank for fry-hatching and raising?

[hoplo]

Hi Cory_lover,

Everything you have done so far sounds right.

The eggs can be a creamy colour but if you look carefully into the bubbles you can make them out. The eggs will go very dark brown if fertile and you will be able to see the baby's eyes and see them move in the egg.

Yes it is advisable to just lift up the entire plastic lid and transfer it to another tank for fry-hatching and raising

dse a sponge filter if you can, put the lid in the tank with the eggs facing up and position the sponge filter so that the water from the end of the filter runs over the eggs, you will need to put something in the tank to hold the lid in position we us two glass pint milk bottles, also if you have some of them little red/brown ramshorn snails put a few of them in the tank too, they will eat any infertile eggs.

My hubby and i have been breeding hoplos for about 20 years now

Vicky. xx

[Cory_lover]

ok thanks!:)

so what about spawning then? The female doesn't really seem interested in the nest...is it too small for her or something? And is it necessary to buy more live plants that the male can use to build up his nest? Will a 50% water change 2x weekly induce spawning?

all corys and the 2 hoplos are fed alternatively with pre-soaked flake food, frozen bloodworms or brineshrimp, the occasional offering of live blackworms and some sinking pellets every now and then.

[grokefish]

Check this thread out and join in if you want.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... =4&t=25730

Matt

[Cory_lover]

ok, just a weekly update:

tried doing the water change @ a 4-degC colder temperature stuff, but still same results (bubble nest but no apparent spawning behaviour). plus i think the other cories aren't too happy about the drastic change in temperature..*sigh*..maybe will just try wait a few weeks and fatten them up more..?

[MatsP]

Corys shouldn't mind too much. But fattening them up with some good food is probably a good idea.

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Mats