Willy Wombat Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Just came home after a week away to find one of my 5 - A. compressiceps in a shell. This fish is about 5-6cm. Could it be breeding already or is it perhaps stuck in the shell? I watched it for about 2 hours last night Its a spiral shell and it looks like it would accomodate the fish, and that the fish could get out if it wanted to, but i cant be sure. Do they hang out in shells whent heya re not breeding? In the last 4 months i have kept the fish I havent seen them doing this - so it is a little bit wierd. Anyone got any advice on these fish - i know they can use shells to spawn. So am i happy or am i sad? When should i send in the fish extraction team? Help appreciated Concerned - WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilli Powder Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Its hard to tell Steve. Do you know whether it was a female. I have been told that they will breed at that size. I have a female that is about 4cm and she has her tube down but the males are not interested. Don't know why!!! The males dominate the shells in my tank and they do spend time in the shells! If you don't see the fish for a little while, especially when the food comes around, might want to keep an eye on things. I did have a comp die on my as it got stuck in a hole in the rock. I had no idea. It died and bloated up and it was hell trying to take it out!!! Personally, I'm hoping that your fish is breeding! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fins Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Congrats Willy Is there a male hanging around, chasing everyone away? She may venture out in a couple of days. fins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvus Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hey Willy Wombat, Congrat's mate! Sound very much like she's breeding :-) I would leave the shell, she should come out in the next few days! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Wombat Posted May 25, 2004 Author Share Posted May 25, 2004 She ventured out for a very short while last night when the lights went out. I am so relieved! I will keep my eyes peeled for any signs of fry? Just out of interest - how long till they are free swimming? On another fish malfunction issue one of my Cyp leptosoma "Untinta bay" has done something to its mouth while i was away. I have spent so long in front of the tank for the last two days that i think i have gone over every fish with a fine tooth comb. I had a few mouthfulls on my return, but this fish is not holding, but its mouth looks like it is trying to suck stuff up on a permanent basis. I call it lock jaw. I think i am going to just let it go for a few days to see what happens. Has anyone else had this problem with Cyps? Cheers A much relieved WW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Link2Hell Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Hi Steve A.comp females will breed at about 5 cm size and males usually will be about 7cm at the same age so yes I think she has spawned Get a micro worm culture going as a started food and organise some Brine shrimp eggs and a hatcher I also recommend looking for a pair of Convicts or Jewels to supply live food for the fry as they grow Fry should start exiting the shell about 10 days post spawning, get a fry tank ready and move the shell out in the next few days preferably with out the female I don't like spiral shells as I too have had fish get jammed and die if you miss noticing them Better to use Bailor, helmet or large barnacles if you want use shells, easier to flush the fry out with the way one end is "open" Woomera rock with holes works also as do some forms of pottery The Cyp has flexed the mouth membrane on the upper jaw like Altos and Neolamps do, just leave the fish be as trying to "fix" it could be too much for a Cyp to handle L2H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willy Wombat Posted May 26, 2004 Author Share Posted May 26, 2004 Cyps mouth is now back in alignment. I am now a big fan of the "not doing anything" approach. Hooray for nature! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad G Posted May 29, 2004 Share Posted May 29, 2004 Sorry to hijack this post but what is a good number to keep these fellas I have a gold one about 2 cm and was thinking of getting 2 black ones??? Will this cause any excessive fighting. I have a small Fontosa in the tank at the monent and one peacock about 4 cm. The tank is 2 foot with pots and some rocks. I hope this is enough info but just want to know what no. is good to keep them as they are an awsome looking fish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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