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So here is the deal right now. I have two checkered barbs in a 20 gal. planted tank with 1 tiger, black ruby and on clown pleco.

My two checkered barbs are hanging really close together and the male is chasing off the other fish. I don't see the female droping any egges but they would be quite small wouldn't they? The male is also very dark right now and kind of seems to be herding the female around. What do you guys and gals think?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

well, at least HE is looking his best.
But that doesn't necessarily mean they're going to shed eggs. They need a lot of peace and quiet before they do.

You can see the eggs; they're yellowish and app. 1mm in dia. You'll know when they shed eggs, because the other fish will know before you do and they'll be lurking about in search of some "kaviar".

If the checkers are mating, you'll see them "cuddle" close together in a densely planted area of the tank. When they "jump" apart; that's when the eggs are released. You'll see them fall quite clearly.
The eggs will stick to anything and hatch within app. 24 hrs. The larvae are harder to spot; they're like tiny splinters of glass.

The chances of raising fry in a community tank are very small. I used to have an area where I replaced the sand with large pebbles, so that the eggs could drop between them. Over the pebbles there was java moss, so that the eggs and fry would be safe for at least some time after they hatched. Of course even then, only the strong and smart survive ...


Last edited by tinfoil at 18-Jul-2005 01:25

They were kind of doing the cuddling thing but I didn't see any eggs and the other fish didn't really bother them. How often would the bread if they are going to? Should I get rid of the other fish to another tank? How long would it take for the fry to be big enough for transport. I will be moving in a little less than a month so it might not be a good thing to let them bread. Thanks for your help!!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

once they get the taste, they'll keep breeding untill you change the tank fundamentally. (or in your case, move )

Fry won't be big enough to ship untill they're about 2-3 months old.

It may sound hard, but I'd wait with doing anything special untill you've moved and the tank has settled again.
In the mean time, eggs and/or fry will probably be eaten by the other fish as well as their own parents.

After the move they might not feel like mating for a few months.