Neons are especially popular with aquarists. Watching the flock of these bright fish is very exciting. But the reproduction of neons at home is a rather complicated process. Nevertheless, it is very interesting to do this. To be involved in the emergence of a new life is very exciting. How to organize everything?
General requirements
In neons, reproduction in the natural environment begins during the rainy season. A large amount of soft liquid, which is almost distilled, enters the reservoirs. In an aquarium, it is necessary to imitate these natural climate features. Then neon spawning will begin . Propagation of aquarium neons should not be carried out too often. Usually they spawn twice a year. Rest should last four months.
To awaken the natural instinct, it is often enough to add soft water with an acidic reaction. To know how fluid meets the requirements, you need to conduct tests. They are sold at pet stores.
Ideal water parameters for spawning:
- stiffness in the range of 2-40 units;
- temperature - 25 ° C;
- acidity - not more than 7 units.
Water should settle in an open vessel for one to two days. A daily fluid change of 10% of its volume in the tank is required.
The nutrition of the fish should be as balanced as possible. The diet needs live food. They contain a lot of protein necessary for the development of your pets.
Manufacturers selection
By the beginning of the spawning season, it becomes clear which of the fish is a female and which is a male. Of course, experienced breeders are able to distinguish them during the dormant period. However, at the beginning of the reproduction of neons by gender, a novice can also find out:
- females have a rounded shape, their abdomen is enlarged;
- in the female, the blue strip slightly bends in the center of the body;
- the male’s swim bladder moves toward the anus.
The brightest, most active fish should be deposited in separate containers. Males and females are separately for one to two weeks. Individuals must be at least eight months old. One female needs to provide two or three partners.
Spawning preparation
The reproduction of neons is best done in a separate small tank. They are called spawners. Today there are cast tanks. For one family, spawning is 25 x 15 x 15 centimeters in size.
Small-leaved plants, such as Javanese moss, should be placed at the bottom. So that they do not float, they can be pressed with a heavy stone. It is important that there are no snails on the vegetation that will eat caviar. The role of protection can play a tangled net, a plastic washcloth. At the bottom of the soil should not be.
It is better to pour distilled water with an acidity of 5.5-6 units. A decoction of alder cones or peat will help to acidify it. Although there are specialized drugs. Prepared water is heated to +26 ° C. In spawning, weak aeration is activated. In the evening, the launch of the "parents". Capacity is better to darken. The breeding process will begin in the morning.
Spawning
Females are ready to spawn every week, and males are capable of active actions only every two weeks. Therefore, they require twice as many. When neon propagation takes place, you do not need to feed them.
The spawning process consists of the following steps:
- a couple of fish swim over plants or their artificial substitutes;
- make turns, rushing towards each other;
- fish rub on their sides, bending bodies;
- the male presses the fin to the back of the female;
- the female throws caviar, and the male sprinkles it with milk.
Games last three to four hours. So that they do not jump out of spawning from violent actions, it should be covered.
Fertilized eggs sink to the bottom. The couple is no longer interested in each other. It happens that the "parents" begin to eat caviar. Therefore, they should be removed from the tank in a timely manner.
In spawning, the water level drops to 10 centimeters. A disinfectant, such as methylene blue, is added to it. The temperature rises to +28 ° C. Aeration is left, but not strong. Larvae will appear in 24-36 hours.
Baby Care
The process of breeding neon fish does not stop on throwing eggs. Offspring need care. In the first three to five days, the larvae live without food. They have enough elements that are in the yolk sac. This is an orange spot in the abdomen. After a few days it disappears, the fry begin to swim. Then they need food.
The first feed is zooplankton, which is sold in pet stores. You can give the fry a grated yolk of a hard-boiled egg.
The reservoir with young growth should be shaded. In the only illuminated area, feed should be added. Fish will swim towards the light and eat all the food. Without this trick, they will die of starvation without finding feed.
After two weeks, the fry can gradually increase the amount of illuminated area. At the age of one month, they must live in a tank with natural light. As you grow, you can move on to larger feeds. Artemia crustaceans, small cyclops, special concentrates for fry are suitable.
Monthly fish should begin to prepare for the transition to a common aquarium. Their maturity can be guessed from the cherished neon stripes, which appear in four weeks. For two to three weeks, they need to replace water, making the indicators of hardness and acidity the same as in adults. Only after this can you make a "move".
Reproduction in a general aquarium
It is permissible to reproduce viviparous fish in a common tank. What about the little sparkling neons? Propagation of neons in an aquarium with other fish in 99% will lead to failure. Caviar will be eaten or die from inadequacy of ripening conditions. In order for the larvae to hatch, they need high temperature, lack of light and complete safety. In addition, they cannot find food without a light prompt. Therefore, a separate spawning can not do.
Propagation of neons at home is possible, although somewhat troublesome. If the aquarist enjoys this, it will not be difficult for him to create suitable conditions for future offspring. Joy will be unlimited when healthy beautiful offspring are born.