I finally found a male BN, and a nice little vase for him. Now my original tank has a piece of driftwood in it, with a small crack thats big enough to fit my female.

I put in the vase, and went through all the trouble of rearranging the plants (a LOT of work), adding some new stones after cleaning them and doing a small water change.

When thats all and done with, I finally release him into the tank. The first thing he does is IGNORE the damned vase, and swim into the crack in the driftwood with the female! :evil: The nerve! Now, is he rejecting my vase or is he just happy to meet my female? If so, how happy and how many should I be expecting?

I'd bet money on him going and checking out the vase as soon as your back is turned :lol:

Yeah I am sure they will christen your vase before ya know it! :lol:

They like tight places to hide so probably prefers the smaller driftwood crack to the vase.

I dont want them to hide, I want them to breed! I selected a vase with a small entrance and a big cavern. Maybe the male is still not ready to breed with my girl? I'll start putting in cucumber each day and see what happens.

A small entrance is good but the cavern isn't. Like Caryl said, they like tight places. I've had best results breeding them in places they could barely fit into.

Make up your mind. If you want them to breed they ain't going to do it in full view in the front of the tank! 8)

No, I mean like a bottle. Small entrance big inside. I also positioned the entrance away from the cave to give them some privacy. Fingers crossed!

Try playing some Barry Manilo or Elton John, and have some flowers delivered to the female, and let the male take credit 8)

Setting up a candle-lit dinner next to the cave wouldn't hurt either

:lol:

give them a chance and see what happens, let nature take its course in other words, no doubt what you think they will like will not be what they like anyway

Barry white , dim the lights

They don't like it "small entrance big inside" like a bottle. They like it cramped. Easier to protect and the male is able to direct the water flow more accurately using his fins to fan the eggs.

Grr, if thats the case I gotta find a new cave. Anyways, the hole in the driftwood is now occupied by the two of them, and I dont expect them to breed there because there are 2 entrances into it.

Now it seems that my swordfish have taken a liking to it and are staying there. Everytime I take a look I see my big female looking back at me.

Assuming the male BN wants the cave, should I expect the sword to be chased out?

They won't care if it has two entrances. If they breed they will get rid of the sword if it is bothering them.

Sweet as, heres hoping then.

Also, my friend noticed that my heater has a crack in it. Will try to get a picture soon, but will this be dangerous for my fish?

A Cracked heater will need replacing , IMO :roll:

i agree snookie, better to be safe than fry your fries!!

Safe for the fish, but not too good for you if water makes contact on the works inside.

Could smear silicone over it as a precaution.

But get a replacement ready asp.

It could then be used ONLY in emergencies.

Will do, I turned off the heater and am in the process off looking for a new one.

Another thing, both BNs are now sharing the same cave. I assume nothing special is going on? :roll:

Is it common for both male and female to share a cave?

Not usually. They all like their own space. Are you sure nothing special has been going on?

I do hope something is going on, at this stage, I cant see clearly but I think both BNs are sharing a cave. The female usually leaves after laying her eggs right? Might go push the plants away and take a closer look.