Passion for aquariums in our country has long roots. If we recall Zolotnitsky, whose books studied the native nature of millions of Russian biologists, the popularity of this hobby becomes clear. Nothing relaxes and sets you in a calm mood, like the contemplation of pets that slowly swim in crystal clear water, "hovering" between amazingly beautiful plants.
Among beginners, various types of zebrafish are especially popular, the reproduction of which is quickly mastered even by the most inexperienced breeders. These fish are not too afraid of low temperatures, are almost omnivorous, and also have well-pronounced
sexual dimorphism. This ensures the simplicity of their maintenance and breeding. However, let us dwell on the issue of procreation in a little more detail.
Danio rerio
Why do we describe this particular type in the article? It’s just the fact that, with the word “zebrafish”, at least 99 percent of aquarists imagine these very nimble fish that immediately catch their eye because of their coloring.
Features of reproduction
Frankly, even beginners who first started zebrafish have no particular difficulties with this process. Reproduction can be complicated only by the fact that these fish spawn, and do not engage in live birth like guppies or swordsmen. However, not everything is so terrible.
First, before breeding, individuals should be divided into male and female groups, which must be transferred to separate aquariums. How to distinguish females from males? Everything is simple: female individuals have a noticeably more rounded abdomen, and the color of the stripes on their body stands out more clearly. During this period, the selected fish is fully and efficiently fed.
Aquarium masters say that at this time, the fish diet should mainly include coronet. It contains almost all the necessary nutrients, but there are no fats in it.
This is extremely important, as producers should never lose their shape before spawning. However, all aquarium zebrafish, the reproduction of which is considered here, have lost their shape, their ability to spawn lose almost always.
Choosing a breeding ground
Since the size of the fish themselves is small, then picking up a hefty "trough" for them for spawning is not worth it. A modest aquarium of ten liters is quite suitable. Since these fish come from small and rather shallow reservoirs, its depth can be no more than 20 cm.
In no case should the bottom be covered with hard ground, which zebrafish may hurt! Reproduction should assume the most convenient and safe conditions. It will be optimal to lay the cinnamon on the bottom. However, in the absence of alternatives, an ordinary Canadian elodea may also be suitable .
So that the plants do not float and do not unmask the spawned eggs, they should be slightly crushed with small pebbles. Of course, they should first be boiled or calcined so as not to bring any infection into the aquarium. Experts say that for this purpose it is best to use glass sticks, which are much easier to disinfect. In general, breeding zebrafish in an aquarium suggests maximum purity.
If you set out to protect caviar as much as possible not only from diseases, but also from the producers themselves, it is best to buy a special net. As a rule, such materials are stained green, and the mesh size is such that adult fish cannot squeeze through them. Above the plants or net should be at least five centimeters of water.
Water
As in all such cases, the most stringent requirements apply to water. Like many Asian species originating from regions with a large number of fish, zebrafish need fresh and well-maintained water for spawning. Before pouring into the aquarium, it is necessary to withstand it for a couple of days. If chlorine is regularly added to your water supply in your area, the aging time should be increased.
Note that water should be harvested with a margin. After spawning, it will still be useful to you.
After heating the water to about 24-26 degrees Celsius, run a zebrafish there. Reproduction begins with the fact that in the evening a selected group of producers is populated into the aquarium.
We populate
As a rule, breeding requires the selection of a group of two or three active males and one female. Carefully examine the abdomen of the latter: in the region of the anal fin, it should be clearly thickened. In addition, be sure to choose the place where you will put the spawning aquarium: in the morning, the first rays of the sun should fall on it.
By the way, this is the difficulty for many aquarium lovers. Almost all types of zebrafish are fish whose reproduction occurs precisely at dawn. The female mosques within 400 eggs, although young individuals rarely leave more than 50.
If spawning has not occurred immediately
If there was no spawning right away, you should not despair. Producers can be kept in a spawning aquarium for another day. They should be fed with a small amount of small and well-washed bloodworms, in every possible way avoiding water pollution. In the case when the next morning, nothing happened, the fish again need to be divided by sex, having survived in separate aquariums for about three to four days.
Important! All zebrafish are fish, the reproduction of which is an obligatory biological mechanism. Simply put, if within a week after the first spawning attempt you do not again drop the female to throw eggs, in 70% of cases she loses her ability to reproduce.
What to do after spawning?
First of all, you need to catch the parents as carefully as possible from the aquarium, using a wide net for this. Sudden movements are best avoided. After that, very carefully drain about half of the water that is in the aquarium. To do this, use a wide siphon, on the socket of which it is better to wear a gauze filter.
After that, fill in the same water that we prepared as a reserve (see above). Pour it in slowly and carefully, as the composition of the liquid will in any case be different. If you pour everything at once, part of the eggs (if not all at once) may die.
After about three to four days, larvae appear. At first, they are fed with infusoria, moving to more serious food as they grow. The young grows quickly, there are no special problems with it.
Breeding Pink Danios
But what about other aquarium fish? Danio pink, the reproduction of which is not much different from the process described above, still require more attention.
To begin with, the ratio of females to males during spawning is 1: 2 or 1: 1 (rarely). Males in this species are much more active, and therefore a large number of them can lead to the death of the female, which the active producers simply drive.
The second difference is water. While zebrafish can spawn in almost any environment, their pink counterparts prefer 10 ° dH (constant hardness) and pH = 7. In most regions of our country, water hardness is much higher, and therefore it will have to be diluted with boiled or distilled.
Like many aquarium fish, zebrafish (the reproduction of which we are discussing) prefer an elevated temperature during spawning. In this case, it should be approximately 26-28 degrees Celsius.
Are there any other differences? No, all other manipulations are absolutely identical
By the way, is it possible to reproduce zebrafish in a common aquarium? Yes, and this happens all the time, especially among inexperienced beginners. That's just about the accomplished fact of spawning, you are unlikely to ever find out, since caviar is eagerly eaten not only by happy parents, but also by other inhabitants of the aquarium. Even if some eggs are incredibly lucky to develop into a larva, they will still eat it.