Water change during spawning period

[mikhail]

Hi bros/sis,

A couple of weeks back, I got a nice pair of wild Apistogramma Bitaeniata from "Tefe Bauana" and placed them in my heavily planted tank with a few small dither fishes. Just recently I observed that the female suddenly transforms into bright yellow with dark black markings (reminds me of the Bride's yellow jacket in Kill Bill) and protecting the cave from the dithers and against the male. Most of the time, the female stays inside the cave... goes in and out... but never goes far from it. I also observed that the male occassionaly will chase the other fishes that goes near the area where the cave is situated. Since the tank is heavily planted, the agression is still ok - even the male can easily escape to safety from the female. I suspect that eggs have already been laid inside the cave. These behaviors have been going for 3 days already. This is my newbie question:

I am supposed to do 50% water change for it's already a week since the last time. Should I proceed to do the water change as per normal or temporarily posphone it. I'm afraid that I might disturb their spawning activities and might cause them to eat their eggs. Also, I am concern on the effects of water change to the eggs/fries brought by sudden change in water chemistry. My tank PH is 6.2 right now and the aged water with bag of peat that I prepared for water change only yields to 6.8. Will such difference in PH shock the brood or will it be fine if I do it slowly? How do you guys normally administer water change during this period?

Thanks,

Mikhail

[joopsg]

Hi bros/sis,

A couple of weeks back, I got a nice pair of wild Apistogramma Bitaeniata from "Tefe Bauana" and placed them in my heavily planted tank with a few small dither fishes. Just recently I observed that the female suddenly transforms into bright yellow with dark black markings (reminds me of the Bride's yellow jacket in Kill Bill) and protecting the cave from the dithers and against the male. Most of the time, the female stays inside the cave... goes in and out... but never goes far from it. I also observed that the male occassionaly will chase the other fishes that goes near the area where the cave is situated. Since the tank is heavily planted, the agression is still ok - even the male can easily escape to safety from the female. I suspect that eggs have already been laid inside the cave. These behaviors have been going for 3 days already. This is my newbie question:

I am supposed to do 50% water change for it's already a week since the last time. Should I proceed to do the water change as per normal or temporarily posphone it. I'm afraid that I might disturb their spawning activities and might cause them to eat their eggs. Also, I am concern on the effects of water change to the eggs/fries brought by sudden change in water chemistry. My tank PH is 6.2 right now and the aged water with bag of peat that I prepared for water change only yields to 6.8. Will such difference in PH shock the brood or will it be fine if I do it slowly? How do you guys normally administer water change during this period?

Thanks,

Mikhail

Well, Mikhail. I would sugguest to you to reduce the percentage to 20- 25%. Like that the pH will not change so much and you still achieve your aim of water change. For me. usually is minimal weater change after spawning. To reduce chances of spooking the female and kiiling the fries. I also use a water pump to pump fresh water back instead of just pouring it back into the tank. If time constraint, i would float a tau huay container upside down and pour water on it to reduce the water impact.

Hope that helps..

[illumnae]

I would recommend max 10% water change. I've changed 20% water with my previous pair of spawning apisto and the eggs were gone by the next day. It was probably either change in water parameters or disturbance from the hoses during the change

[mikhail]

Thanks bros for all your advises . Will do the small 10% water change tonight but very carefully. Will update you if successful.

[exotic_idiot]

Congrates Mikhail, if you are afraid the eggs maybe gone, i suggest better not change water as any movement in the water may frighten the female.
They are quite protective and once scare will eat their eggs.

[mikhail]

Congrates Mikhail, if you are afraid the eggs maybe gone, i suggest better not change water as any movement in the water may frighten the female.
They are quite protective and once scare will eat their eggs.

Too late bro... I already did the 10% water change last night. however, I did it very very carefully using airline hoss while lights are off (middle of the night). I use also the same hoss to slowly drip new water to the tank so not much movement at the surface.

This morning, I observed that the female is still yellow and guarding a spot near the cave and rocks. I think she has moved the eggs (or wrigglers maybe?... can't be seen) in a nearby rock which has numerous holes. I saw her depositing something from her mouth to the rocks. She made several trips back and forth from cave to the rocks. Before I left the house, she is already stationed at the rock appearing like fanning something there (pectoral and caudal fins both moving while tail facing the opening of a hole on the rocks). I couldn't see the inside of the hole because there are some anubias tied to that rock that is blocking the view. I hope it is still good sign. will update...

[joopsg]

if she is spitting then it is fries in wrigglers stage..
Congratulations!!!!

[exotic_idiot]

The eggs have hatch...!
Now's the time to get food for fries...

[mikhail]

Not so good news ... Arrived home and found that the male is chasing the female attacking her very badly . Her color has changed to neutral yellow and caudal fins have been torn with bites on her body. The male too has split in his left ventral fin. The male would not stop attacking the female which was already hiding. I witnessed the female being trapped at one corner and the male tried to wacked her again. I have no choice but to catch the very aggressive male and temporarily put in my other tank. So far, both fishes are doing okay now after the separation. Saw the female swimming again (came out from hiding) but a bit scared to go to the open.

What happened? My analysis could be due to water change followed by heavy feeding. After my small water change last night, I fed the fishes with frozen bloodworms this morning... my huge mistake . I think the male ate a lot. That could have caused the male to turn super horny and the female which already went to the open with the eggs (or wrigglers) have been harassed resulting to battle. Suspect also that male already ate the eggs.

At this point, I don't know what to do. Maybe, I will let the female recuperate first for couple of days before putting back the male. I am also thinking of getting a detachable divider for my 2 ft tank. Don't know if it's workable. Just in case the other becomes too aggressive, I'll just lure the other to one side and slide the divider to separate them. In that way, fish won't be stressed too much. I am having difficulty netting fish in a heavily planted tank. This is just my idea after this incident, but may not be feasible especially if there are eggs.

Going back to the subject of water change. I still believe that it can be done. I just have to ensure next time that (a.) male is separated, and (b.) no heavy feeding after that.

[exotic_idiot]

Just get a breeder box instead... divider no use as i tried before in my 3ft and the fries swim through other pairs territory and get eaten too...
If wanted to go planted very hard to catch out the fishes, as they intend to hide very well unless you outsmart them like try catching them when total darkness just a dim of light or tempt them with their fav foods...
If you truely wants to breed them better go for simple setup using plants like java fern or nana on dw which make it easier in case you need to catch out the male.
I'm more on breeding and rasing up fries.. Not a easy job after all...

[mikhail]

thanks bro exotic_idiot for the suggestion. Will look out for the breeder box / net.

[exotic_idiot]

No problem.. Once your pair breed means there's more to come...
Just feed well and more spawning will come till you will scratch your head where to put all these little fries... Need to have backup tanks!

[mikhail]

thanks bro for giving me hope . I already placed the male back, but before doing so, I placed more hiding places where only the female can access. Though the male still chases her once in a while, but the female is able to hide effectively now. Both fishes are doing okay now - feeding and does not look stressed. I also placed a small mirror taped at one side of the tank. Observed that it helps divert aggression of the male to his own reflection in the mirror. That gave the female some relief and oppurtunity to feed and gaze on the surrounding areas. But I don't know if the mirror is good to be placed permanently in the tank. I leave it there today for I will not be around to check their behavior. Maybe tomorrow when at home, I will remove the mirror.

[delta3]

the same behavoir happend with my a.panduro i did a 50% water change and replaced the water with conditioned ph 6.5 water and used a gravel cleaner to siphon the water i avoided the guarded area and the cave where the female was , they did fine and still show signs of guarding and she still goes to her cave, so go ahead ,clean water is vital to keep your 'jewels' happy even when they intend to breed.