Aquarists note that with the reproduction of barbs, there are no problems even for beginners. The main thing is to follow certain rules, thanks to which it will be possible to remove the maximum number of fry.
Popular views
For breeding in aquariums, there are several types of fish barbs, especially in demand. Sumatran or tiger individuals are distinguished by the presence of 4 black stripes on the luminous body, located vertically. There are orange marks on the caudal fin. The average size is from 5 to 7 centimeters. The five-lane barbus visually resembles the previous view, however it is slightly smaller and has a less contrasting color.
Fiery fish, like Denisoni, grow up to 15 centimeters. They have bright red and gold colors. Denisoni is distinguished by a silver hue and contrasting black and red lines. In black-striped ruby, the main color is bright red, and the size is up to 6.5 centimeters.
The largest is considered foil barbus. Its length can reach up to 35 centimeters, and the difference is in black and white stripes. The rarest are called four-linear. The strips are arranged horizontally, which is a peculiar feature.
Differences between male and female
In this case, aquarists do not have any particular difficulties. Like other fish, females are larger, males have a more saturated color. The girls of the barbus are distinguished by the smooth outlines of the body and the rounded abdomen, while the boys are quite flat.
You should also pay attention to the anal fin.Its location is different depending on the gender. In girls, it expands significantly downward and is at an angle of almost 90 degrees to the tail
Puberty
Maturity occurs when the fish reach the age of 7 months. Aquarists need to consider that spawning is required for females. If it does not happen, they may simply die.
In addition, it is necessary to provide a habitat for a fish pair preparing for crossbreeding. This should be a separate container of a sufficiently large size, where the fish will not be crowded.
Preparation
The conditions for spawning must be provided as follows: fish are paired and placed in different containers. This will allow the eggs to mature in a calm and comfortable environment.
It is necessary to exclude the possibility of overexposure, as it can lead to irreversible consequences. Girls have a cyst that does not allow them to move actively, and boys begin to show aggression.
If you plan to breed barbs at home, you will need to provide them spacious aquarium, the optimal volume of which is 100 liters. In such a capacity, 6 fish will feel comfortable, of which 4 should be female.
As soon as the aquarist notices the pair's interest in each other, he should begin preparing for spawning. If several males are interested in one female, preference should be given to the most active and having the most catchy colors. To check whether the fish are ready for spawning, you need to gently pick them up and lightly press on the abdomen. The girl should allocate a small amount of caviar, but the boy - droplets of milk.
How to breed in spawning?
So, when the fish are ready for spawning, it is necessary to prepare them all the conditions for reproduction. You will need an aquarium with a capacity of 10 to 20 liters. During this process, significant release of sex hormones will occur, which will significantly reduce the quality of water. therefore the larger the spawning, the clearer the water and the more likely to get eggs that are not infected with fungal diseases.
The glass container must be sanitized before filling. The fluid level should be about 25 centimeters. At the bottom, you should place a special grid with small cells that will protect the eggs, and the fish will not be able to use it as food. Small pebbles made of ceramics are also suitable - they are able to fulfill the role of a grid and cover eggs.
It is necessary to take care of the state of water. It directly affects the course of spawning. The distilled tap and distilled water must be mixed in proportions of 2: 1. Acidity should also be taken care of - it should be at a pH of 6. To disinfect the liquid, you can drip a decoction of oak bark there or add a little phosphoric acid. This will help protect fry from infections.
The temperature in the spawning should be around 25 degrees. 3 days before the fish are planted, it is necessary to begin to saturate the liquid with air by blowing. It ends after placing the couple in the aquarium.
Do not forget that spawning - a habitat for a couple of fish. There must be an intermediate point. First you need to prepare a container in which water is mixed from both the main aquarium and spawning. Barbs are placed there for 30 minutes, after which they are sent directly to the spawning ground.
Experts recommend performing manipulations in the evening. 3 hours after the transplant, the light turns off. By morning, spawning begins, so you need to provide diffuse lighting. From one female you can get up to 600 eggs.
Matrimonial games can be easily noticed, since in their course the fish will be rubbed by their abdomen. If this behavior is not observed within 3 days, you need to try to replace the male. If spawning is successful, the pair needs to be deposited - this will ensure the safety of eggs. The little girl should help remove the entire caviar entirely.This is done by stroking the tummy and applying light pressure.
You can not immediately fish in a common aquarium. You will need to re-use the intermediate tank. Initially, the temperature of the water in it should be equal to the temperature in the spawning. Over the course of 3 days, it gradually decreases to catch up with the aquarium, after which the fish return to their usual habitat.
How to breed in a common aquarium?
If it was decided to breed barbs in a common aquarium, you need to take care of the availability of shelters for fry. If they are not, adult relatives will eat caviar. Such a process is more natural, respectively, the number of offspring will be significantly less.
Special training in this case is not required. but at the end of the process, it is also worth helping the female remove the remaining caviar. This will protect her from the appearance of a cyst. When fry appear, they are fed live dust.
Next steps
When the spawning is finished and the fish are seated from the spawning grounds, water must be removed. Her level should be about 10 centimeters. After a half-day, it is necessary to remove the grid and remove it, previously freeing from eggs. To exclude infection with the fungus, methylene blue is added. It will also help distinguish unfertilized eggs, which will turn white.
Larvae hatch on the next day. At first they eat from yolk sacs. After 12 hours, half the liquid is replaced with boiled water and the purge is enhanced. The fry appear after another 3 days. So that the fish acquire a characteristic color, and the caviar does not mutate, you need to provide a small partial shade.
Baby Care
The feed should be ciliates or live dust. Artemia, nematodes and nauplii are also suitable. Replace them with ordinary hard boiled yolk. Food for 3 days occurs 5 times a day, then the fry are transplanted into an aquarium of larger capacity.
1000 fry will be enough 30 liters of water. It is necessary to provide filtration and maintain the temperature at the proper level. After 2 weeks, the color and appearance of the fish are fully formed, they again need to be planted at the rate of 10 individuals per 1 liter of water. First of all, fish of more impressive sizes are deposited.
Sorting fry is very important. In its absence, larger and stronger individuals will eat the weak. Fish are placed in a common aquarium when they turn 1 month old. Their size by this time reaches 1 centimeter
Repeated spawning
To exclude the appearance of a cyst, already in 2 weeks after spawning, the female should be prepared for it again. However, in this case, you need to replace the male. Without repeated spawning, the female will no longer be able to breed.
4 times a year, manufacturers are placed for 1-2 weeks in a separate aquarium. To make the process more active, it is worth maintaining an elevated temperature.
This video details how to breed the Sumatran barbus.
