I managed to succesfully raise a batch of ruby fry last year - although it really took some time here as well. The spawning didn't occur until several months of them being in their breeding tank had passed. And obviously for that occasion they had to choose the week before my honeymoon vacation - so I couldn't even give the fry the attention and life food I would have liked. But still even with just an automatic feeder and fine granulate I somehow got some 20 little ruby offspring to survive and grow... I guess I was lucky. I've been trying for a couple of weeks to replicate that and learn some more about their behavior, but we'll see, nothing so far. I set up 6 adults in a 30 l cube - soft rain/RO (hardness in between 0 and 2 °dH) water with some tannin extract and granulated peat to slightly acidify the water and some bolbitis fern as cover. In the end I experimented with water changes and by covering their tank for a couple of days to reduce disturbances/stress caused by me walking past the tank and make them feel more secure. Don't know if that caused the spawing though, but in the end I noticed the small baby fry in the segregated fry/filter compartment of the tank. And yes, they are rather timid here with me as well. In my bigger tank together with my Nannostomus marginatus as brave companions and a lot of plants and other cover as retreating options they became bolder over time though.
Hi Elias, Thank you so much for sharing your breeding success! It's impressive that you managed to raise 20 fry using just an automatic feeder. The details of your setup, including the water parameters and measures to reduce disturbances, are quite helpful. I believe creating a more secure environment, similar to yours, might be the key. Thanks again for your detailed comment.I really appreciate it.
Dear Bo: Many species of fish spawn, during the rainy season. It may be advisable to do a water change. The sudden drop, in total dissolved solids (TDS) may induce them to breed. I hope you have good success, breeding this, lovely species. All my best, Sincerely, E. J. Brinegar
Hi Brinegar, I recently did a water change, but there hasn't been any change in their behavior-they are still as shy as before. I believe the key is to create a calm and comfortable environment for them. Currently, they don't even come out to eat and only do so when I'm at a distance. Thanks for your input!
Doing water changes with colder water is a proven method to induced spawning as well! I'm going to try breeding my Ruby's soon as well, I have about 30 of them in a community tank
Hi, the problem I'm having is that my rubies are still very timid around me, even though I've had them for almost a year. Perhaps I need to buy more since I only have 5 at the moment. I wish you good luck with your breeding project!
You could try adding rain water. Do a little at a time until they are in 100% rain water. I tried this with neon tetras a few years ago, I was able to get them to spawn this way but had some bad luck and ended up having to shut down the tank. It may or may not work but it's worth a try. Good luck!
Hi, NYgold, I used to breed Tucano tetra using rainwater. But it's now in winter here, and it's very difficult to collect rainwater these days as it barely rains nowadays. The water softener resin has a somewhat similar effect to adding rainwater, though. Thanks for your suggestion.
Hey bro Bo! As a main keeper of these Ruby Tetras I know a few things that can help you; you're on the right track but having gone this far, I feel as if too many changes affect/traumatize them to no return 😢 ①These fish love plants, especially ones to burrow in. Moss cups would work. ②They like a nice steady current. Playing in the stream they chase each other and mate. ③You need at least 6 not 5. They're smart enough to distinguish who is who which can be non-stimulating to them I believe... ④Since you bought them at the same time and if not wild, most likely they're bro/sis; growing up the whole time together = less stimulation and high chance of deformed fry. Perhaps get a new batch and mix the gene pool? I got 3 different batches and they are not similar in appearance! 😮 I can go on for days about these fish and seeing them spawning makes me happy; unfortunately don't have or will not setup breeding tank for them so eggs are breakfast 😅 P.S. dominant male does 95％ of the mating. I leave you with that but there are many other things which still comes to mind. I'm a busy/lazy person but seeing your will makes me spend my time and I want to see this go down for the record... I could record but I'm very shy as well 😂 Best wishes Bro Bo❤
Forgot to mention, I use RO water to boil the almond leaves and top it with mineral water that ONLY has calcium and magnesium. I then add vitamins etc through GEX aquarista dechlorinator all-in-one just to be easy minded. PH: 6.5-6.8 (Too low the anerobic beneficial bacteria doesn't exist) I'd take the resin thing out... Definitely do a water change and top it when evaporation occurs keeping it the same level constantly. I see breeders do 50-70% water changes DAILY but thats extreme perhaps... For water flow, a small corner powerhead with cover filter set to low will do wonders and not effect the eggs. Oh yea, you gotta cut the bloodworms to smaller pieces...I hear its very stressful to fish. Feel free to ask me anything and I'll update if I can remember something valuable❤
Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights! I appreciate your detailed suggestions; they are very useful tips, and I feel I have regained my confidence now. I'll definitely consider adding moss cups, or maybe a spawning mop in the cup could also work? I realize I may have been too hasty. Perhaps these tetras don't require acidic water to breed, as you mentioned your pH is 6.5-6.8. I can achieve this PH by simply adding the Almond leaves alone.Even if they do prefer acidic water, I might have started adjusting it too early. I'm not sure if they are naturally shy or if the environment needs improvement. For instance, adding more plants might make them feel more at ease. I believe creating a comfortable environment is crucial before making any other changes.
@@bothetetrabreeder8734 6.5 is border acidic. The boiled almond leaves will make it easy to set it to that and when it raises as water evaporates just top it with same tea. (lowering it back to 6.5) Mops are not natural; Ruby tetras are omnivorous, I see them peck at the plants etc. I think this video on ember tetras is key: m.th-cam.com/video/SnU579x6nn0/w-d-xo.html Very small details but it makes the difference. BTW, Ruby eggs are sticky and they even stick to the glass walls. Godspeed ♡
Thanks, Ghost. I watched this video before, but not thoroughly, as I already knew how to breed ember tetras back then. However, he's doing a great job explaining all the necessary steps in detail. I feel like the moss cup method is the key to breeding ruby tetras. I used this method to breed CPDs before, and it seems this fish can only breed using the moss cup method. Perhaps I should try it with ruby tetras as well. One question: Are your ruby tetras always shy to the point of hiding whenever you come near, even when they are in spawning mode?
@@bothetetrabreeder8734 That video will explain that they don't lay the eggs necessarily in the cup but more around it...? He changes the setup something similar to yours except he has sponge filter for circulation next to heater? Perfect set up in my opinion; Something you're close to no? As for your question, it is the opposite; Whenever I go by them, they all come up to the glass and we just stare at each other lol Maybe because they know I feed them? Schooling in morning then they all explore seperately afternoon. They sleep on the plants which are like beds to them...usually where the magic happens 😅 Even at fish stores, they don't hide unless you stick something in the tank. I know everything your going through maybe overwhelming but it is a trial/error hobby. Hang in there! We all rooting for ya! FYI: I'm about to get my 4th batch today and this time their longfin rubys❣
I have the same issue with H. Monliger. Darting type behavior, difficult to differentiate male female, extremely shy, and lose all colour in a new tank. Might try RO water to get the ph down further and stable.
Hi,I'm not familiar with H. Monliger. Does it have a common name? I'm always eager to learn about new fish species. Thanks for sharing, and best of luck with your breeding project!
nice try. you do seem to think about every possibility. i would definitely do a water change if they are not coming out to eat i think it won't be long before you start to lose some of them! i think i would not change the water i would just add 10% every day until they look better?
what you need to do is to do some research on the water parameters in the natural envrionment where the fish originates from instead of putting all those efforts in those attempts aimlessly.
Hi Weiji, the water parameters are soft and acidic, similar to other tetras from South America. There's not much research to do on this aspect. And I'm not doing it aimlessly; you can see I am trying to lower the pH in this video. Thanks for your comment.
you simply dont even know for certain that the problem is the ph which caused you the failures in trying to breed the fish. but anyway, that is your business after all. @@bothetetrabreeder8734
I managed to succesfully raise a batch of ruby fry last year - although it really took some time here as well. The spawning didn't occur until several months of them being in their breeding tank had passed. And obviously for that occasion they had to choose the week before my honeymoon vacation - so I couldn't even give the fry the attention and life food I would have liked. But still even with just an automatic feeder and fine granulate I somehow got some 20 little ruby offspring to survive and grow... I guess I was lucky. I've been trying for a couple of weeks to replicate that and learn some more about their behavior, but we'll see, nothing so far.
I set up 6 adults in a 30 l cube - soft rain/RO (hardness in between 0 and 2 °dH) water with some tannin extract and granulated peat to slightly acidify the water and some bolbitis fern as cover. In the end I experimented with water changes and by covering their tank for a couple of days to reduce disturbances/stress caused by me walking past the tank and make them feel more secure. Don't know if that caused the spawing though, but in the end I noticed the small baby fry in the segregated fry/filter compartment of the tank.
And yes, they are rather timid here with me as well. In my bigger tank together with my Nannostomus marginatus as brave companions and a lot of plants and other cover as retreating options they became bolder over time though.
Hi Elias,
Thank you so much for sharing your breeding success! It's impressive that you managed to raise 20 fry using just an automatic feeder. The details of your setup, including the water parameters and measures to reduce disturbances, are quite helpful. I believe creating a more secure environment, similar to yours, might be the key. Thanks again for your detailed comment.I really appreciate it.
Keep going Bo they will go along with one of your ideas eventually 😀😀👍👍
Thank you Jack and Dan for your encouragement!
Great video Bo, awesome content as always. 👍
Appreciate it!
Awesome video Bo, keep up the grind my friend!
Thanks for the visit
Dear Bo:
Many species of fish spawn, during the rainy season. It may be advisable to do a water change. The sudden drop, in total dissolved solids (TDS) may induce them to breed.
I hope you have good success, breeding this, lovely species.
All my best,
Sincerely,
E. J. Brinegar
Hi Brinegar, I recently did a water change, but there hasn't been any change in their behavior-they are still as shy as before. I believe the key is to create a calm and comfortable environment for them. Currently, they don't even come out to eat and only do so when I'm at a distance. Thanks for your input!
Doing water changes with colder water is a proven method to induced spawning as well! I'm going to try breeding my Ruby's soon as well, I have about 30 of them in a community tank
Hi, the problem I'm having is that my rubies are still very timid around me, even though I've had them for almost a year. Perhaps I need to buy more since I only have 5 at the moment. I wish you good luck with your breeding project!
You could try adding rain water. Do a little at a time until they are in 100% rain water. I tried this with neon tetras a few years ago, I was able to get them to spawn this way but had some bad luck and ended up having to shut down the tank. It may or may not work but it's worth a try. Good luck!
Hi, NYgold, I used to breed Tucano tetra using rainwater. But it's now in winter here, and it's very difficult to collect rainwater these days as it barely rains nowadays. The water softener resin has a somewhat similar effect to adding rainwater, though. Thanks for your suggestion.
Hey bro Bo! As a main keeper of these Ruby Tetras I know a
few things that can help you; you're on the right track but having gone this far, I feel as if too many changes affect/traumatize them to no return 😢
①These fish love plants, especially ones to burrow in.
Moss cups would work.
②They like a nice steady current. Playing in the stream they chase each other and mate.
③You need at least 6 not 5. They're smart enough to distinguish who is who which can be non-stimulating to them I believe...
④Since you bought them at the same time and if not wild, most likely they're bro/sis; growing up the whole time together = less stimulation and high chance of deformed fry. Perhaps get a new batch and mix the gene pool?
I got 3 different batches and they are not similar in appearance! 😮
I can go on for days about these fish and seeing them spawning makes me happy; unfortunately don't have or will not setup breeding tank for them so eggs are breakfast 😅
P.S. dominant male does 95％ of the mating.
I leave you with that but there are many other things which still comes to mind.
I'm a busy/lazy person but seeing your will makes me spend my time and I want to see this go down for the record...
I could record but I'm very shy as well 😂
Best wishes Bro Bo❤
Forgot to mention, I use RO water to boil the almond leaves and top it with mineral water that ONLY has calcium and magnesium.
I then add vitamins etc through GEX aquarista dechlorinator all-in-one just to be easy minded.
PH: 6.5-6.8 (Too low the anerobic beneficial bacteria doesn't exist)
I'd take the resin thing out...
Definitely do a water change and top it when evaporation occurs keeping it the same level constantly.
I see breeders do 50-70% water changes DAILY but thats extreme perhaps...
For water flow, a small corner powerhead with cover filter set to low will do wonders and not effect the eggs.
Oh yea, you gotta cut the bloodworms to smaller pieces...I hear its very stressful to fish.
Feel free to ask me anything and I'll update if I can remember something valuable❤
Thank you so much for sharing your valuable insights! I appreciate your detailed suggestions; they are very useful tips, and I feel I have regained my confidence now. I'll definitely consider adding moss cups, or maybe a spawning mop in the cup could also work? I realize I may have been too hasty. Perhaps these tetras don't require acidic water to breed, as you mentioned your pH is 6.5-6.8. I can achieve this PH by simply adding the Almond leaves alone.Even if they do prefer acidic water, I might have started adjusting it too early. I'm not sure if they are naturally shy or if the environment needs improvement. For instance, adding more plants might make them feel more at ease. I believe creating a comfortable environment is crucial before making any other changes.
@@bothetetrabreeder8734
6.5 is border acidic. The boiled almond leaves will make it easy to set it to that and when it raises as water evaporates just top it with same tea. (lowering it back to 6.5)
Mops are not natural; Ruby tetras are omnivorous, I see them peck at the plants etc.
I think this video on ember tetras is key: m.th-cam.com/video/SnU579x6nn0/w-d-xo.html
Very small details but it makes the difference.
BTW, Ruby eggs are sticky and they even stick to the glass walls.
Godspeed ♡
Thanks, Ghost. I watched this video before, but not thoroughly, as I already knew how to breed ember tetras back then. However, he's doing a great job explaining all the necessary steps in detail. I feel like the moss cup method is the key to breeding ruby tetras. I used this method to breed CPDs before, and it seems this fish can only breed using the moss cup method. Perhaps I should try it with ruby tetras as well. One question: Are your ruby tetras always shy to the point of hiding whenever you come near, even when they are in spawning mode?
@@bothetetrabreeder8734
That video will explain that they don't lay the eggs necessarily in the cup but more around it...? He changes the setup something similar to yours except he has sponge filter for circulation next to heater? Perfect set up in my opinion; Something you're close to no?
As for your question, it is the opposite; Whenever I go by them, they all come up to the glass and we just stare at each other lol
Maybe because they know I feed them? Schooling in morning then they all explore seperately afternoon.
They sleep on the plants which are like beds to them...usually where the magic happens 😅
Even at fish stores, they don't hide unless you stick something in the tank.
I know everything your going through maybe overwhelming but it is a trial/error hobby. Hang in there! We all rooting for ya!
FYI: I'm about to get my 4th batch today and this time their longfin rubys❣
👍👍👍
Thank you!
I have the same issue with H. Monliger. Darting type behavior, difficult to differentiate male female, extremely shy, and lose all colour in a new tank. Might try RO water to get the ph down further and stable.
Hi,I'm not familiar with H. Monliger. Does it have a common name? I'm always eager to learn about new fish species. Thanks for sharing, and best of luck with your breeding project!
nice try. you do seem to think about every possibility.
i would definitely do a water change if they are not coming out to eat i think it won't be long before you start to lose some of them! i think i would not change the water i would just add 10% every day until they look better?
Thank you for your feedback,I appreciate your concern. I'll definitely consider your suggestion.Your support means a lot!
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
thanks
what you need to do is to do some research on the water parameters in the natural envrionment where the fish originates from instead of putting all those efforts in those attempts aimlessly.
Hi Weiji, the water parameters are soft and acidic, similar to other tetras from South America. There's not much research to do on this aspect. And I'm not doing it aimlessly; you can see I am trying to lower the pH in this video. Thanks for your comment.
you simply dont even know for certain that the problem is the ph which caused you the failures in trying to breed the fish. but anyway, that is your business after all. @@bothetetrabreeder8734