Questions on Paracheirodon axelrodi and simulans

[V31]

Hi,
there are two things I'd like to know about paracheirodon axelrodi and p. simulans. First p. axelrodi:
What tank setup I need to breed p. axelrodi? I have 90cm long, 40cm wide and 60cm high one. Is it suitable? What equipment should be inside and how many pieces of p. axelrodi is good to have if you want to breed them?

Next, p. simulans:
What's the max. lenght of mature one? Is this fish suitable (in 4-5pieces) for small and well planted cube tank -> volume 16L.

Regards V31

[mickthefish]

hi V31, ive never seen simulans over 30mmand yes i think they would be fine in that setup. on the the axelrodi the tank size is fine you could have a multiple spawning in there, if you have a mesh to cover the base fine if not cover the base with marbles the only other things you need are a sponge filter and a clump of java moss. once youv'eseen them spawning take the fish out and cover the tank with a towel make sure there is no light in the tank as this will degrade the eggs, wish you al the success.
best mick

[V31]

seems good, no problem with sponge filter and java moss as well.

as for the mesh to cover the base and taking parents out.. the reason for using the mesh is not to let parents eat eggs (eggs falling down through a mesh)?

[mickthefish]

correct, but you can't leave the parents in as they are avid egg-fry eaters.
mick

[V31]

Okay, thx for advice. I'm newbie

and what about water characteristics (temp., pH etc)?

[mickthefish]

the water ive bred them in had a ph 6-6,4, gh 3, temp 78-80f ,
the fry need very fine foods once free-swimming such as infusoria ar one of the liquid foods in the shops, bloody minute fry but they grow at a decent rate.
best of luck. mick

[V31]

thanks for information

last question: liquid food (e.g. JBL nobil fluid, as i remember) isn't enough, is it?

[mickthefish]

don't know that one, can you get liquifry egglayer?, the best food is infusoria there's less chance of pollution. it should be enough to feed the fry plus the shop brands promotes the growth of infusoria if present in the first place, ie use a sponge from one of your other tanks there's always food on them.
mick

[V31]

Well, I don't know liquidfry

Infusoria should not be problem to get. I saw some do-it-yourself manual:
put lettuce in water -> put it on the sunny place for a few days -> the cloudy part of water is infusoria

As for the JBL nobilfluid., here's the product description:

• For the fish larvae of egg-laying fish.
• Ultra-fine homogenous preparation of over 50 raw materials.
• With special multivitamin complex and stabilised vitamin C.