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Hello. I was just observing my fish inmy 55gal tank and realized that my female tadpole madtom is heavily gravid. Does anyone out there have any tips on how to spawn them or care for their young? I was going to do water change today, but I don't want to set them off too soon, at least before I can set another tank up for them.
I pulled her out of the tank to get this picture. It's not the best (she wouldn't stop moving), but you can clearly see the eggs. The water is tinted yellow by the humic acids from the many pieces of wood in my tank.

Thanx for any help.
Josh

You may try posting this to the nanfa forum http://www.nanfa.org

I am not aware of any madtom spawnings that did not include an "over wintering" period. That said, you could certainly give it a try. Slowing warming the tank's temp over a week or two should be the trigger.
-Shane

So I should slowly cool the water over a couple of weeks and then warm it up? I guess that means that I should move them to their own tank too. I really hope that the other one is a male. It's not producing eggs, but doesn't have the enlarged muscles on the head.
Thank you very much Shane. I will give it a try and post any results. I believe that a tank full of madtoms beats a cichlid tank any day (that's my opinion and I appologize to any cichlidophiles. After all, it's PlanetCatfish!!)
Josh

Josh,
I should have asked what temp they are being maintained at. If the tank is unheated and staying in the mid-60s to low 70s F, just slowly raise it to the upper 70s. Your other choice is to just leave things as they are and let the tank warm up on its own when spring arrives. I would place the spawning tank someplace that gets at least indirect sunlight as photoperiod (length of day) often plays a role for spawning temperate fishes.
-Shane

Shane,
They are in a heated tank that is maintained, unfortunately, at about 80F. I am aware that they are a cold water species and that that temperature is unacceptable, but they are thriving. The only reason that they are in that tank is because I didn't have an extra aquarium to put them in when i received them. I will put them in a tank just for them to see if I can spawn them. I will try the program that you have suggested .
Thanx again Shane. I appreciate your help very much.
Josh