Well it is true that Peter's always picking on me;-) but I had meant to reply to
his request. I forgot. So here's what I do for Pseudomugil furcatus (that's for
you Peter!)
First off my water reads like this: Ph 7.4; Gh 9Degrees; Kh 4 degrees; temp 24C.
I add salt :10ml/3gal for fry and adults. I don't add salt to egg hatching
containers. Without checking I suspect my water is close to their native
habitat. I say that only because I know several people who keep them and they
are spread out in the Great Lakes basin region where I live and they all are
successful with this fish.
I feed my fish as wide a variety of foods as I can but, I have a core group of
foods that I use: freeze dried plankton; Sera Vipan flakes; spirulina flake;
frozen blood worms and live baby brine. In season and when I'm feeling energetic
I'll supplement with other live foods. I feed spawning fish twice/day.
I change water once/week, 30-50%. I keep 7-10 adults in a 25g long. I usually
have males outnumber females because I believe the females to be voracious egg
eaters. They have the time because the males are too busy jousting with each
other.
When spawning I toss in three or four thick yarn mops and collect eggs daily.
I hatch the eggs in tupperware food containers which I aerate. temp. is at 27C.
I add calcium to the water. If I don't, I invariably end up with spinal
deformities. I guess my water is not as close to their natural waters
afterall!;-). I change the water(all of it!), as often as everyday until a few
days before hatch out (Gary Lange does this and it does improve egg mortality).
This keeps fungus at bay. Unmack tipped me to aeration and live food diet to
improve fertility and reduce egg mortality. Since making the effort to do those
things, I have seen an improvement in my hatchout rate.
Under the above conditions I can produce upwards of 70 eggs/week with a group of
4 males to three females. My hatchout is not great yet, about 60%. I'd be happy
with 75%.
Once the fry hatch they are fed APR, vinegar eels and asap live baby brine as
often as I can. This works out to three or four times/day. As they grow I
separate out the "tearaways". They can be very aggressive at an early age. As
soon as they get colour the males start with each other.
If any of this seems like an effort then let me say that these fish are worth
it. They're beautifully coloured with excellent finnage and the males display
nearly continuously. And they are realitively easy to spawn and raise.
If anyone has questions, ask away!:-)
Chris
Ps. Based on my observations I believe temperature really is crucial to this and
other Pseudomugils. Cooler is better. They'll live long and prosper.