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I neep suggestions on how to get my bloodfins to sucessfully spawn. I have 1 male and 2 females in a 10 gallon tanks that is heavily planted with an open spot. I have the water level low because they supposedly jump while they spawn. I have a 80degree water with an air-ator and a filter. ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE VERYY VERY APPRECIATED.

If these fish are Aphyocharax anisitsi (or whatever they've been renamed to) then you might be better off trying to breed them at 75 degrees because 80 might be a bit too warm for them. Remember they originate from Argentina and can go down to 50 degrees for short periods if need be: they're cooler water fishes than the majority of South American characins.

Also, if you can get live food, e.g., Daphnia or Bloodworm, that will get them into spawning condition in no time. Feed them three or so big banquets of live food one after the other, then watch and see if they get frisky. That should do the trick.

If your fish are actually Translucent Bloodfins, Prionobrama filigera, then they WON'T breed unless you feed them live food on a fairly regular basis. They NEED live food pretty regularly if they're going to prosper.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Yes these are the real Aphyocharax anisitsi.

Carpet bomb them with live food for a week, and give them some bushy plants to spawn in - CAbomba or similar - and they should spawn in no time. Java moss will be even better as a spawning medium if you can get it. An egg trap of some sort is probably advisable.

As for jumping, any kind of lid will control that problem. My understanding is that Bloodfins are not counted among the 'notorious' jumpers like Blue Gularis or Pantodon buchhholzi, which are the fishes usually considered the 'bad jumpers' and among the most rocket-propelled of their ilk. Even so, the fact that you're looking at a torpedo-shaped fish and saying "Hmm, these could be athletic jumpers if they wanted to be" shows you're using the brain cells, which is a good start for ANY fishkeeping venture!

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thanks for the info. But... how will i be able to tell they spawned, and will i be able to see the eggs. AND should i not have anygravel in the tank?

A bare bottom tank would be ideal, as it is easier to clean than gravel. Hornwart would be a good floating plant for shelter and java moss would be good as well. Try filling the bottom of the tank with marbles so the eggs can fall inbetween the marbles so the parents can't get at them.

Good luck

[edit]you should be able to see the eggs, but they are very small. Maybe you will catch them in the act. Look for a small white cloud of eggs if you do catch them hanging out together

Last edited by Tetra Fan at 22-Aug-2005 19:12

If you can get hold of the venerable Innes book on fishkeeping, it covers Bloodfins (under their old taxonomic name) in some detail, including breeding. See if your local library has a copy


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002