Breeding White Clouds- my first attempt

Over 3 weeks ago, I noticed that the female white clouds were looking gravid. I prepared a spawning tank (45x 45 x 35 cm) by placing a clump of java moss into it. I used a sponge filter that was mature. The temperature was set at 24 degrees centigrade. All my white clouds (3 males 6 females)were then placed into this tank. Unfortunately I was unable to see any eggs. After a week I noticed by chance a single fry swimming on the surface, I immediately removed all the white clouds and introduced infusoria into the water ( made by addding a rotten apple into green water from the fibreglass container I breed platys). At first I noticed a few fry but a few days later I noticed a few more, I assume that these must have hatched from the eggs that were not eaten by the adults.All the fry are free swimming and are now fed powdered flakes for egg layers by Tetramin, microworms and brine shrimps. I want to know - Can I now: (1)siphon the residue from the bottom (2) make water changes.

 

I'm not a breeder by any means - but I do know that fry can easily be lost to water changes. I've heard siphoning with an airtube reduces risk, though this can be hard. Others just put a mesh over the siphon tube.

Also, it is best to do lots of regular, small water changes (like 10% or around that) rather than larger, infrequent ones. They are very sensitive to changes in conditions, so keep up small water changes evey few days.

 

Breeding White clouds -my first attempt

Thanks for the advice. I came up with an idea of siphoning the residue by using a plastic syringe with a small air tube attached to it.I make use of both hands-the right is submerged into the water with the opening close to the residue, the left hand thumb flicks the plunger upwards.In this way I was able to siphon up a lot of residue. It is a slow process- no fry were sucked up. I guess if you have a rigid plastic pipe the operation can be done without the hand entering the water. By the way the fry have grown and have got their colours. My second spawn are also free swimming and are taking baby food for egg layers.

 

Ek gebruik gewoonlik sommer n klein tregter (wat ons vrouens soms in die kombuis gebruik) en druk dan net my pyp oor die punt met n sykous oor die grootste punt sodat die fry nie opgesuig word nie. Dis maar hoe ek my water changes doen in my fry tank.

 

From what I've read, white clouds don't normally eat their eggs or fry if they are well fed.

Congrats on the spawns though. Pretty cool isn't it?

 

just wanna clarify, are we talking about white cloud mountain minnow, or is there another kind of white cloud?

 

breeding white clouds

They are white cloud minnows. I just got my second spawning in the free swimming stage- the first have gained the colours of an adult.

 

Congradulations

 

Hi Moodleygm do you have some pic of the white clouds? I who'd love to see it.

 

Yes some pics would be nice...

 

breeding white clouds

Thank you for the advice . I tried your method and it works.

Pics will soon follow as soon as I get used to the digital camera I just purchased.

 

breeding white clouds

The photo is not that clear-my first try .