I still can't seem to breed these with any success. Here's a pic of my
only 2nd gen, a male, now breeding size:
click on pic for larger view
EDIT: decided to clean this image up abit, too muddy/noisy a background.
Taken with a Canon G1 in RAW format, then converted to JPEG (used
2 external flashes).
That's a very outstanding picture, Bill. I'm puzzled though why your fish-breeding skills aren't as good as your expertise with a camera. The A. australe is, as far as I know, one of the easiest Killies to breed. Surely, it's easier to breed an australe than to take such a good picture.
Loh K L
*Standing with head bowed, ashamed* Thanks for your comments, KL.
I've had other successes with fish and maybe it's because some are
born "Kings of Australe" where others are born "paupers".My only
success with Australe now has a girlfriend---I can always hope!
Excellent picture Bill
*Chuckle* Maybe you could give a course on photography
for the AquaBid crowd seeing how pathetic some of the pictures they post
are.
One man's "easy" fish can be a true nightmare for another hobbyist.
While living in Huntsville I met a guy who could breed and raise Discus
but when it came to guppies he was helpless.
Al Baldwin
AKA 00120
Bill,
Just to relate some past experience. When my AUS pairs start to show signs of courtship, I reduce half the water in their 5gal critter tank and progressively lower the level till about 3inches depth. It seems to give them the idea that they better screw themselves silly before the little pool dries up.
Generous wad of moss and hornwort maintains a decent water quality and plenty of hideouts for the young fry. YMMV, of course
Three killies, actually. Diapterons, SJOs and striatums!!Originally Posted by Al Baldwin
I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
Ronnie Lee
Thanks, Al, for your comments.
Ronnie, I'll try your suggestions and see what shakes out. The one
fish I managed to acquire was in a forgotten tank, heavily planted,
thought there was nothing in it.
Initially, when I read Ronnie's suggestion, I thought it wouldn't work. My reasoning is this - the A. australe is a non-annual; the streams where they live in don't dry up. So lowering the water level won't be of any use as the australe probably won't recognise the danger, quite unlike an annual which would know that a lower water level means the pond in which he lives in is drying up.
But then again, we really don't know how smart or stupid the fish is. And with all species, when faced with imminent death, the first instinct is to have as much sex as possible. Just ask those soldiers who are sent to war. What do they do the night before they leave? Have sex, of course. When faced with the possibility of our own extinction, the natural response would be to try and propagate our own genes as much as possible.
So it might work after all.
Loh K L
When I want eggs I make sure to feed my killies
plenty of blackworms....the females respond with plenty of eggs
and the fertility rate is higher due to the nutritional value of the worms.
Al Baldwin
AKA 00120
Al, with temps 101F and up, my LFS isn't stocking blackworms right now.
Soon as they do (when it's cooler) I'll be buying some. Here's a pic
of his girlfriend (tough for me to shoot) using my Oly DSLR with a
1960's vintage Nikon macro manual focus lens (I hate autofocus).
Click for larger view
Bill,
Very nice picrture!
I setup an account Aquatic Foods and get
overnight delivery....they use gel packs to keep worms cold.
I have never had a problem with their service.
http://aquaticfoods.com/
*Chuckle* just be greatful that ALA doesn't have a monsoon season.
Al Baldwin
AKA 00120
Another outstanding picture, Bill. This time, though, when you put your stamp on the pic, remember to spell the species name in small letters
Loh K L
Al, much as I like to throw my favorite LFS some business, I can't pass
up this deal!
KL, thanks, I stand corrected and will change it tonight!
Thank you both for your comments.
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