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Seems quick to me?

Started by Guest_Heather_* , Oct 19 2013 10:18 PM

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3 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Heather_*

Guests

Posted 19 October 2013 - 10:18 PM

Can you please tell me if this is pretty quick in your opinions if this is what it seems?
I collected the current inhabitants of my 180g about 2 weeks ago, it's getting colder up here in New Hampshire, the natives are definitely winding down during October.
All have been doing fine since I got them, only a couple female pumpkinseeds are left to train on to NLS pellets, and they have all gone through successful anchor worm treatment without any signs that they've noticed.

So my question: now around two weeks since they left the lake.... here I sit watching the sox game and I cannot believe the larger male pumpkinseed digging in the middle of the tank with his tail. A female even swam right towards him after he did this a few times and got chased away. A male wouldn't be digging in the sand with his tail if he didn't think he was conditioning to spawn right?? I haven't kept sunnies in quite a while so I just don't remember... but I thought this behavior was only associated with digging a spawning bed/pit. I also thought they had to go through a full on cooling period to condition to spawn? Which is what makes me question this since they haven't been through winter?? IF it is spawning behavior isn't that pretty quick? LOL He has been the only one out of both types of sunnies and perch to do this. He is also now commanding more respect from the much more agressive red breasteds. The tank is unheated but in the living room so room temp.
Just curious :D/

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#2 littlen

NANFA Member

Washington, D.C.

Posted 20 October 2013 - 08:08 AM

Heather, I'm not surprised by this. Many fish will begin to show signs of spawing in captivity--by means of coloring up, or as you've witnessed, digging a nest outside of their typical breeding season. Sunfish are certainly 'opportunistic breeders' if you will. When the conditions are right, they will breed. Sometimes throughout the year. They don't always have to follow the rules and breed in the spring/summer. Up your way the waters have been cool for some time now. So bringing them indoors and up to an ambient temp (~70?) is warm enough to encourage this behavior. Additionally, having a longer photo-period indoors further promotes his desire to breed. In effect, you have provided a warmer environment with longer days. AKA, summer. So he's doing what he would naturally do. Enjoy, and hopefully you get some fry. Your 180 should be big enough to allow him to protect his fry and keep others at bay without injury. Hopefully you have a back-up tank to move some fish out in case the male gets a little too aggressive.

Nick L.

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#3 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

Guests

Posted 20 October 2013 - 10:29 PM

I think it's the luxury hotel phenomenon. :closedeyes:

A guy and a girl are on the same flight, which gets unexpectedly cancelled. :mad2:

So the airline puts them up in a luxury hotel room, except there's only 1 room available,
and as fate decrees, only 1 bed. [-(

So, the man, after checking out the accommodations, attempts take advantage of the situation. :wub:

All this talk about ambient temperature is beside the point!

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#4 Guest_FirstChAoS_*

Guests

Posted 26 October 2013 - 12:39 AM

Hopefully you can separate the fry before the male goes from guarding to eating them so you can raise them.

I raised killifish before one (well, I didn't intend to, they decided to spawn on their own) and wish I could do more fish raising but I do not have enough tanks and my family refuses to let me dig ponds on their property. Too bad, I'd love to selectively breed dace for color, rqaise minnows for pets and baits, raise mummies for pets, baits, and mosquito control, and maybe raise a declining sunny (such as mud sunny or roanoke bass) for restoration.

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