View Full Version : breeding?
lethalp
11-07-2003, 5:59 PM
I am the one who has a 29g and I am getting a 125g this weekend. I noticed something strange going on in my tank. The bigger of the 2 gold severums seems to be rooting or digging and guarding this spot. Are we getting ready for babies? :eek: If we are, what should I do, I don't have a spare tank, and won't have until I get the 125 set up. Does anyone know the spawning habits of these guys? I have never had any fry, probably beause this is the only pair I have. I have only had them about 4 months, and they aren't full grown, anyone know whats going on?
OrionGirl
11-07-2003, 9:12 PM
Severums are cichlids, so I will move this over. I'm pretty sure severums spawn pretty well in tanks--so you may benefit from searching the Cichlid forum on the topic.
lethalp
11-08-2003, 7:49 AM
Opps sorry I usrf the wrong forum, so now that I am on the right page, what happening?
Severums are slow to mature so I don't think they are getting ready to spawn. Severums also aren't easy to spawn in the home aquarium, there are many that have a pair for a long time without the fish ever spawning, so if yours do it is quite an accomplishment. I have never actually spawned them so I can't comment on their behavior, but they do like to rearrange the gravel and plants in the aquarium.
lethalp
11-10-2003, 9:12 AM
Not sure if you read but I had bought these 2 fish as blood parrots, and noew that they are bigger I see that they aren
't. I am assuming they are severums. I hope they aren
't red devils, is there anyway to tell? One has more of a domed head and the other has a does not. I need to get a pic on here, can anyone tell me how to do it? Thanks, Dawn
My severums have spawned twice within 2 months.
There are many things you have to look for.
1. 4" severums can start breeding.
2. ph has to be around 6.5.
3. temperature has to be around 82.
4. both parents will have their breeding coats on...almost all black...unless you have gold severums.
5. they will chase each other, fan their tails at each other, circling each other...what we called "mating dance".
6. After the mating dance, they will start locking lips to test each other strength. You will find them beaten and injured. My female got the most abused. I have to put in stress coat all the time to help with her injuries.
7. They will develop an obsession on cleaning a piece of flat rock, flowerpot, or just a corner that has flat surface.
8. They will guard the territory. You will notice that none of the fish will not even think of crossing to that area :D
Mating dance, rock cleaning, and etc, will take from 2 days to 4 weeks. Mine took 3 days. After they laid their eggs, they use their fins to fan the eggs...to keep dirt off and give oxygen.
Don't be surprised if your severums eat the eggs or fry...or tank mates help themselves on those eggs/fry. Some people had to try many times before their fish learned to become good parents. Mine were good parents on their first try. However, I didn't keep any of the fry.
I've them stopped breeding because they took over half of the tank every time they breed.
This was a day after their first batch. The eggs are visible. They were guarding the eggs.
http://www.peifc.com/Our_fish/Severum/Green/113-1395_IMG.JPG
Took 2 days to hatch. 3 days to become free swimmers.
http://www.peifc.com/Our_fish/Severum/Green/114-1452_IMG.JPG
And this was second batch. After they removed some of the hatch eggs.
http://www.peifc.com/Our_fish/Severum/Green/115-1553_IMG.JPG
Originally posted by Deb2
Severums are slow to mature so I don't think they are getting ready to spawn. Severums also aren't easy to spawn in the home aquarium
Both are false information.
Severum aren't the slow to mature fish. You haven't met that cichlids yet :D
This cichlid, Hoplarchus psittacus took 5 years to start showing breeding behavior.
http://www.cichlidae.com/gallery/Hoplarchus/default.html
And severums aren't hard to breed if you know what you are doing.
Originally posted by lethalp
Not sure if you read but I had bought these 2 fish as blood parrots, and noew that they are bigger I see that they aren
't. I am assuming they are severums. I hope they aren
't red devils, is there anyway to tell? One has more of a domed head and the other has a does not. I need to get a pic on here, can anyone tell me how to do it? Thanks, Dawn
I hope these pictures will help you identify your fish.
This is pure breed red devil.
http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/A.labiat1.jpg
This is pure breed midas.
http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/images/citrin2.jpg
This is blood parrot.
http://www.peifc.com/Our_fish/Blood_Parrot/108-0899_IMG.JPG
And this is severum...has many species under this group.
http://www.peifc.com/Our_fish/Severum/Heros_sp/123-2307_IMG.JPG
lethalp
11-11-2003, 9:48 AM
Ok my fis don't look like either picture. Both of mine are more rounded. They both have a blunter head, one is bigger than the other. How can I post a pic? Thank heaven they aren't red devils! Whew!
Depends on the size of your pic. If it is too big, you can't attach the pic here. You will need picture host...try www.imagestation.com
lethalp
11-14-2003, 8:30 AM
I am still having trouble with these 2 mystery fish. When I came home last night I was horrified to find the one that has been doing all the bullying STUCK in my ship decoration! Apparently he (?) had been chasing a smaller fish and got wedged in the ship and could not get out! After a good amount of panicking I got a pair of plyers and broke the ship so I could free the fish. This is getting out of hand. I can't get my 125 set up yet because I don't have the money for the filter it needs. :( Is there anything I can do with this fish? I have a 5g that has a danio, tetra and a cory cat. And I have a 10g with 2 dwarf gourami, plec, frog and bornio sucker. What can I do? I also did a water change last night and added some aloe vera, and some salt for the scrapes on the injured one. I am surprised he didn't die from shock. I moved some of the stuff in the tank around thinking maybe that would help. Anyone have an idea?
scholar
11-14-2003, 12:17 PM
Just take whateer you ahve in the present tanka nd move them to the 125. They will not only not be any worse, they will be better off. :)
You can also feed them less for now. Add a powerhead with a sponge as a second filter.
I think a 125G is an excellent choice by the way.
Good luck,
PS: if you live in southern california. I can sell you a brand new unopened in the box Aquaclear AC300 for $26. retails for $46 plus tax!
lethalp
11-14-2003, 8:51 PM
Sorry I am in Indiana, but thanks. So I could run the 125 with the 280 Emporer I have?
According to my Baensch atlas about severums "The fish do not pair as readily as some, carefully choosing their partner." Aslo according to an article in TFH severums do not usually spawn until they are 2 years old. That is a slow to mature fish.
peifc
11-14-2003, 10:51 PM
Originally posted by Deb2
According to my Baensch atlas about severums "The fish do not pair as readily as some, carefully choosing their partner." Aslo according to an article in TFH severums do not usually spawn until they are 2 years old. That is a slow to mature fish.
My severums will tell you differently. So are other people that I've talked to.
Sometimes, it is better to experience it instead of just hearing and reading from people.
Is 20 years enough? I haven't kept severums for a long time, but in my experience and in other's experiences they are slow to mature and more difficult than some other cichlids to breed. There are exceptions and individual differences but I was speaking generally.
peifc
11-14-2003, 11:14 PM
Originally posted by Deb2
Is 20 years enough?
If you have so much experience...no need to quote from people and books/magazines.
My Severums aren't even a year old. Already breeding.
4" is considered as young adult. From that size...they can start breeding.
Unless those people you mentioned were talking about wild caught severums...then it is very likely that they are more selective than aquarium raised severums.
Breeding Severums aren't that difficult. As I'm typing right now...they are starting to show some signs of breeding behavior just from the temperature difference.