BigBossPants Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 I'm thinking about getting a breeding pair/group of some kind of small rainbowfish. I have a 45L planted tank with an Aquis CF500, currently housing 3 small Bristlenose Catfish and 1 small Flying Fox. Species I'm interested in are the Threadfin Rainbow (Iriatherina werneri), Signifer Rainbow (Pseudomugil signifer), Celebes Rainbow (Telmatherina ladigesi), Dwarf rainbow (Melanotaenia praecox), Gertrudes Blue-Eye (Pseudomugil gertrudae). Which of these species would be most suited to this size tank, and what is involved with breeding it? Hard/soft water? Plant species? Male/female ratio? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracytrout Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Try billaney here on forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 I think I've got Pseudomugil gertrudae and they're really awesome. They're not the most colourful fish but they're bright blue eyes are cool. I haven't bred them yet as they're still young but when I do I'll be using a spawning mop, I think I've got 2 males 2 females but I'm not sure yet so will have to wait and see. I'll probably try breeding them in a 25ltr tank and mmight pick the eggs off the mop or move the parents to a different tank if the eggs get crushed as you pick them off the mop. The other ones I like are the Threadfins which seem pretty peaceful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkie Posted August 18, 2009 Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 mine used to spawn in willow moss and the roots of java fern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 Threadfin Rainbow (Iriatherina werneri) Signifer Rainbow (Pseudomugil signifer), Dwarf rainbow (Melanotaenia praecox), Gertrudes Blue-Eye (Pseudomugil gertrudae). They are all suitable in small numbers. Not all at same time though. They spawn into mops or clumps of moss suspended just below water surface. Feed up on live foods and do coldwater changes. Gets mine going every time. They spawn in the morning. Eggs are very adhesive. Remove mop daily and place into seperate fry tank, replacing with another mop as the fish spawn over a few days. I have four mops used in rotation. Fry are tiny and require micro sized food. I feed green water and infusoria. Moving up to decap BS and microworms. Daphnia are great for feeding. Rainbows do like a bit of greenery in their diet also. HTH any other questions please feel free to ask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracytrout Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 I have 6-8 each of Boesemani, Dwarf Neons, Madagascars in my 4ft community tank and they live happily with Angels, Gourami, Mollies, GBA's, Cories, Black Phantom tetra and Clown Loaches Simon...Thanks for the tips on breeding...about to give it a try so very handy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 No worries I think rainbows are one the easiest fish to breed. Easier than Danios as you can easily seperate the eggs from fish by removing the mop. I even get them laying in mops in my community tank. Easy to save the eggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paekakboyz Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 have just got 6 dwarf rainbows - 4 girls and 2 boys, about an hour after hitting the tank they were already showing off to the girls and flaring their fins at each other. Really active and pretty fish. Will have to try adding a breeding mop to my community tank I think! would be awesome to breed some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 I've got 6 Dwarf Rainbows :bounce: How do you tell which is Male and Female?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Size and Fin colouring. Males fins a red, females are more orangey. Dwarf neon Rainbow Profile HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBossPants Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I decided to go with the threadfins I got a pair today. Got to get the LFS to order me some moss and then we'll be away! Would you recommend a m:f ratio or 1:2 or 1:3? Or are pairs ok? Do they have to be a certain size before they'll breed? My girl is pretty tiny at the moment. Where does one find green water and infusoria? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I decided to go with the threadfins I got a pair today. Got to get the LFS to order me some moss and then we'll be away! Would you recommend a m:f ratio or 1:2 or 1:3? Or are pairs ok? Do they have to be a certain size before they'll breed? My girl is pretty tiny at the moment Nice , Threadfins are neat. Just remember, small fish mean tsmall fry with tiny bellies. You will need to feed them microscopic infusoria, so have plenty available. I have had success with 1 male 2 female. With larger Rainbows I have used 1 male 1 female , and also a larger group. All successful. Make some mops out of synthetic wool. Buy it at $2 type shops or Redshed. Wrap around a book about 20-40 times. Cut at one end and tie in middle. Easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBossPants Posted August 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Ah I see, like a pompom I saw something on TM called 'live food replacement diet' which comes in 100-200 micron sizes. Would this be suitable to feed fry or does it need to be even smaller? Or live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Also, you will get nicer looking fish with a larger group. The problem with rainbows is that you never see them in their best when they are not in large tanks with plenty of cover and a larger population. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 Ah I see, like a pompom I saw something on TM called 'live food replacement diet' which comes in 100-200 micron sizes. Would this be suitable to feed fry or does it need to be even smaller? Or live? If you can see it, then its probably too big,LOL Live food is better, does not pollute the water as fast unless you use BBS. Green water first then infusoria. Daphnia and/or BBS an microworms as they get bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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