Your ideas for Werneri sound good to me. They come from a very tropical
region and especially fry are susceptible to chilling from variable
temperatures. As far as timidity is concerned my experiences suggest that
most people keep small numbers in small tanks and miss out on seeing their
werneri at their best - as a school in a larger tank with perimeter
planting. They are midwater swimmers and feeders and seem to enjoy water of
45 cm depth or greater.
Please don't give up on your Honeys outside, mine are displaying too but no
fry yet. They breed outside every year for me - I hope you have given them
plenty of plants and mops for security and laying sites. Also Honeys like
to graze on algae'covered plants and rocks and this is easier to provide
outside.
The combination of Werneri and Gertrudaes should be a good one - they are
often found together in nature and definitely will not cross.
Regards,
Bruce.
bhansen at ozemail.com.au
----------
> From: Andrew Wilson <arunta at qldnet.com.au>
> To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au
> Subject: [RML] Iriatherina werneri
> Date: Tuesday, 25 November 1997 17:50
>
> I am writing for some advice concerning Iriatherina
> werneri. From what I've read I. werneri are compatible
> with most blue-eyes. At the moment I am keeping a few in
> a tank by themselves. Would some blue-eyes such as
> Pseudomugil gertrudae or P. mellis be suitable?
> The reason I am asking is that I'm hopeing to attempt to
> breed the werneri, and I've also read that they appear
> happiest in groups. My werneri are quite timid as I
> don't have many. My idea is to use the blue-eyes as
> dither fish and I will try and hatch any eggs that they
> produce also. The risk of hybridisation would be small
> as they are from separate families? Is this a good idea?
> I am aware that werneri are very hard to raise. I live
> in SE QLD and at this time of year would an outdoor
> container with green water be the go?
> Any other suggestions?
> Or should I just put them outside first off?
>
> I wrote about a month or more ago about breeding Pseudomugil
> mellis. I tried them outside in a much bigger container
> and I have seen the male courting but still no eggs or
> fry. I must be doing something wrong. Thats why I'm
> considering putting them back in a tank.
>
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks in advance
>
> Andrew