My BLogs ⇒ Breeding report for Benitochromis batesii by Anton

Hop to next section Basics
Overview The first spawn was on Monday 16th of January 2012. The breeding group consisted of 1 male and 1 female. The smallest male was at least 80mm SL and the smallest female was at least 70mm SL. The youngest adult was approximately 12 months old. The individuals were obtained from Cameroon, Lobe system.
Feeding
1.Spyrulina flakes, frozen artemia and mysis (frozen) few times a week
Hop to next section Water Parameters (at time of spawning)
pH 7.30 to 7.50
Conductivity 100µs to 200µs
Temperature 25.0°C to 25.5°C
Current Gentle
Hop to next section Aquarium
Dimensions The aquarium dimensions were 800mm x 400mm x 300mm (31.5" x 15.7" x 11.8") all Length x Width x Height.
Furniture Fine sand, wood, Anubias plants, some caves with wide opening
Filtration HMF filter
Lighting LED
Heating None, via room
Hop to next section Breeding
Behaviour Usually they spawn in caves, the female gurds the eggs. After hatching, the female is incubating then larvae, on following days both parents are doingbthe mouthbrooding alternately. When fry is swimming free, both parents are guarding.
Eggs There were 40 white eggs laid which were 1.5mm in diameter.
Time to hatch 3 days
Number: 0
Free swimming: 25 days
Segregation Parents stay with the fry, usually broodcare lasts for more then one month
Fry sizes 7 days: 0mm
14 days: 0mm
21 days: 0mm
Juvenile sizes 1 month: 0mm
3 months: 0mm
6 months: 0mm
Fry and juvenile feeding Freshly hatched brine shrimps, later on same as adults