Ducksta Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 I may well be counting my chickens (or fry maybe) before they've hatched but I seem to have a big Copadichromis mouthful They are wildcaughts and as far as I'm aware the only ones of this varient in the country (except a few left available at retail prices ) My dilemma is this, I am a big advocate of letting a fish hold full term, despite knowing they will inevitably fail a few times and swallow the bulk of a spawn after the eggs hatch. I don't like stripping a fish despite being quite handy at it when the need arises. My question is this, for the others who have bred species as the first in country, and for anyone else who'd like to comment, is this different? Would I be doing the hobby a favour by stripping and maximising the yield on this spawn and letting them go natural next time? I have waited some time to get a spawn, and there is a chance it may be the only one.I know alot of people would dive in and strip eggs, but if it came to it, I don't think I'd cut it any shorter than 12 days. ps. I think my mind is made up anyway I've been ticking things over in my head for a couple of hours and I'm pretty sure I'd like to let her hold, but I'd love to hear other opinions and if someone thinks they can sway me, please try Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parkesg Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Firstly congrats!! I`d do nothing different to your normal routine, there is no reason why they won`t keep spawning. I used to milk my fish but always felt uncomfortable doing it, now I always leave them to do it naturally. It is much more rewarding and far less stressful on your fish. I can empathise with you it would be tempting. Any chance of some pics??, I am a big fan of the Copadichromis. Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishrock Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 hey ducky, well i stripped my dewindti female after 17 days and the fry were fully formed.(approx. 1cm), she had held 3 times and spat after 2 days every time (because of the calvus i think) so after she had held for 15 days i put her in a breeder net and hoped she would spit - she didn't - so on the 17th day i milked her. (she looked very hungry so that is what swayed me). cant say yet if it affected her future breeding/ holding, but next time i'll let her go full term just to see. what sort of Copadichromis are they? if they are ilesi, geertsi or likomae i WANT some cheers mate adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 They are Cop. borleyi "Chimwalani Reef" (Goldfin borleyi) I am pretty bad at taking pics of my fish but that one turned out OK a while back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckmeister Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Hey Ducksta I'm the same with my Exochochromis anagenys. I decided to let them hold term. I've had one girl hold full term twice now and the others are still learning. I guess it depends on if you want to make money or not!! Mind you, I've had fish hold full term, first try too!! I think its much better for the fish and alot easier in the long term than tumbling because mum does it all. I've also heard the other side of the story....'Its your responsability to make sure they get out to the public' If it were a vote I'd go 'Leave her' Congratulations on the spawn. It would be a nice feather in your cap.. Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 Yea Chuck, I'm more than likely going to leave her. I am going to build her an extra large fry saver too It's been a while since I had anything bigger then mbuna with a mouthful Wow I am rapped though. I feel like a kid at Christmas!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Congrats mate It's a hard call IMHO, I would strip her, but I am greedy Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabros Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Hi Ducksta, They have been here for a looooonnnnggg while there is already someone that I know that has bred and sold this varient already in N.S.W. I would let her go at least for 10 days. HTH Brett Well done on breeding them anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted December 1, 2004 Author Share Posted December 1, 2004 Oh well, I know they came in a while ago but was told nobody had bred them. Now I have no need to strip at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cichlid_KB Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Id strip her. Then she can have a feed. KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazimbwe Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 Well done Ducky. Go the natural way, I say...even more of an achievement in my books. plus it is good imprinting on the fry that you will have to sell/keep...another factor of quality I say. If she holds to 12 days she will hold full-term, more than likely, anyway. Well done again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Wombat Posted December 1, 2004 Share Posted December 1, 2004 You might consider stripping her so she will start eating sooner and produce more fry, or produce more fry more quickly? Either way - congrats on the spawning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted December 2, 2004 Author Share Posted December 2, 2004 Willy, why would I want that? The less I breed the more valuable they are JUST KIDDING GUYS! I am not too fussed how many fry she produces If I was going to strip it would really only be if I feel she is losing too much condition and for her benefit, not my wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YeW Posted December 3, 2004 Share Posted December 3, 2004 Congrats Ducky! I agree - do whatever you are most comfortable with, after all, that's what you have the most experience with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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