Smaller woodcats such as Tatia Intermedia have already been spawned and raised. But what about for instance, Liosomadoras or Trachelyopterus species? - Why have they not bred in captivity yet?
I have 6 Trachelyopterichthys Taniatus (striped woodcats). They are fully grown and in superb condition. They are currently being subjected to a wet season!..... Lots of water changes, frozen live food, raised temperature, stronger current and aeration. However I think more could be done to simulate the wet and dry seasons. I wish I had first-hand experience of South America to get more of 'a feel' for the conditions. I wonder - am I right to raise the temp, or should I reduce it? Should the current be more, or less? Here's a list of some of the questions I have - anyone care to join me in speculating???
I wonder-
1. What do you think are average day/ night water temps during the wet season? And the dry season?
2. In a tank, what frequency of water changes would you do to replicate a dry season? How long would this period last?
3. Do you think the acidity and hardness might vary between wet and dry seasons? What water parameters would you aim for in a tank?
4. In their natural surroundings, what would woodcats be eating during the dry season? And wet season?
5. When water levels rise, do you suspect certain plants that become submersed might affect the behaviour of woodcats? Perhaps they release tannins, toxins, etc.
6. Do you think these catfish would re-locate to different conditions/ surroundings when the seasons change? Perhaps to get out of a fast current, OR get into it?
7. Where in the river and at what depth would you expect to find wood cats?
8. Do you think that chemicals released by other fish species, such as pheromones, might be a factor? If so, what species might you suggest using in tank conditions?
9. What other factors do you think might trigger breeding behaviour?
10.Any further ideas?...
I appreciate that's a lot of questions. They are rattling around in my head, so I thought you all might let them rattle in yours too for a bit
in a tank which converted to Tanganyikan conditions (ph circa 8.6). I never saw it until one day i got in from work, turned the lights on & found it relentlessly swimming back & forth along the front glass pursued vigourously by half a dozen multis. The fish was so gravid that on the swelling of the belly, individual egg shapes could be made out (in places)as well as lumps of eggs. The following morning in a corner of the tank was a worn out, dishevelled jag & a bunch of happy looking fat multis behaving completely normally swimming in & out of the rocks.
