C. gracilis - It only took 5+ years.

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 03 Dec 2011, 22:21

Greetings. I have had C. gracilis for probably going on at least 5 years, possibly longer. Although there have been very plump females in the group, I have never seen an egg. I know it's crazy, but I am loathe to put leaves in any of my tanks, especially with fish that I may have a hard time replacing, should anything go wrong.

Now that I have eliminated 90% of the livebearers from my fish room, I am attempting to work harder at modifying individual tank parameters to meet the needs of certain species, in an effort to get them to spawn. Previously, every tank in my room was kept almost exactly the same.

On Thursday I decided to split my C. gracilis group in half and place oak leaves in one of their tank. This morning, lo and behold, there are eggs on the leaves. I have not poked around to see how many, but without disturbing the tank I see around 15. I'm surprised that they are as large as they are. I always thought that their eggs would be tiny. Don't ask me why I ever thought that. lol.

These are one of the most rare Corys in the hobby and getting them to spawn has been a dream of mine, for years. Of course, I realize that getting eggs is the easy part, but I have a good feeling about this spawn.

Additionally, I pulled 32 viable C. cervinus eggs. One of my favorite species.

Today was a good day in the fish room.

Cheers. - Frank

P.S. Though not a Cory, I thought I might throw in that I have my first Coral Red Pencil fish (Nannostomus mortenthaleri) fry.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 04 Dec 2011, 03:02

Good work there - i really like this cory & you've done real well with a spawn -keep us posted on progress

jp11biod · Post by **jp11biod** » 04 Dec 2011, 03:51

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 04 Dec 2011, 03:53

.
No applause. Just throw money. lol. - Frank

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 05 Dec 2011, 13:24

Greetings. Found 107 eggs, this morning. Around 50% look viable and around 75% of them were deposited on the glass. I think it's time to put leaves in with the other group.

Cheers. - Frank

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 13 Dec 2011, 20:04

Greetings. A quick spawning update.

First spawn. Eggs left in with adults - zero fry to be found. Eggs moved to a hatching tank - I have healthy fry and man, am I happy about that. lol.

Second spawn. Eggs left in with adults - zero eggs or fry to be found. Eggs moved to a hatching tank - just starting to hatch

Third spawn. They are at it, now. I am moving all eggs, around an hour after being laid, to the same hatching tank as the fry from spawn number one.

Additionally, I have taken my second group and housed them in the same manner as the original spawning group.The live blackworms are ordered. The rest is up to Mother Nature.

Thanks. - Frank

P.S. Found eggs from another "first-time, for me" Cory, today - C. loretoensis. One pair in a 10 USG. Sweet.

jp11biod · Post by **jp11biod** » 14 Dec 2011, 04:18

we're not worthy...!

awesome news

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 04 Feb 2012, 18:34

Greetings. First pics of my C. gracilis fry. Both groups are now spawning regularly and by regularly, I mean virtually non-stop. Lots of fry from one-day to around 45 days. Should have plenty to offer up, in the spring. Cheers. - Frank

exasperatus2002 · Post by **exasperatus2002** » 04 Feb 2012, 18:56

Awesome job!

corybrummie2010 · Post by **corybrummie2010** » 05 Feb 2012, 03:41

Thats fantastic Frank and great pics of the C.Gracilis Fry

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 05 Feb 2012, 17:33

corybrummie2010 wrote:Thats fantastic Frank

TYVM.

and great pics of the C.Gracilis Fry

Actually. I need to reshoot that. Although I do keep sand in all of my Cory tanks, that fry has been housed in a tank with Pencil fish fry. The bottom is painted black, no sand, an inch of leaf litter, no light and placed over light sand for only a minute or two before shooting started. That is going to make any Cory look unnaturally dark, and this specimen is no exception. Upon viewing it after spending 24 hours over light sand in a well lit photo tank, it hardly resembles the same fish and actually looks like what one would expect a C. gracilis fry to look like. I will reshoot it, tomorrow.

Here is a snapshot from the same group of fish at around 10 days, clearly showing, I believe, that it is in fact, C. gracilis. Cheers. - Frank

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 05 Feb 2012, 23:14

Frank,

If anyone was to breed them it would be you and Eric Broderick.
I personally have never seen a live one in almost five decades. I have only seen old photos so I am glad you guys are breeding them finally in the States.

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 06 Feb 2012, 03:30

apistomaster wrote:Frank, If anyone was to breed them it would be you and Eric Broderick.

Hi Larry. Eric has had spawns for a good while, now.

I personally have never seen a live one in almost five decades.

I was afraid that it was going to take me that long to get them to spawn. It sure felt like it. lol.

I have only seen old photos so I am glad you guys are breeding them finally in the States.

Thanks, Larry. Cheers. - Frank

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 17 Feb 2012, 17:08

Greetings. As promised, here is an updated pic of a C. gracilis fry at 30 days of age. A much better image, methinks. They are still spawning, regularly and I have many fry of various ages in 4 different fry tanks. I have placed some juvies over light sand and will try to get them reshot, today. Cheers. - Frank

Coursair · Post by **Coursair** » 17 Feb 2012, 19:39

Nice pic, fabulous cat

Coriequest · Post by **Coriequest** » 17 Feb 2012, 20:12

Totally beautiful! We need some of them in California!

dconnors · Post by **dconnors** » 17 Feb 2012, 21:53

Congrats on the fry! Great pics of a beautiful fish.

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 17 Feb 2012, 22:57

Thanks, everyone. Much appreciated. Cheers. - Frank

christiansen · Post by **christiansen** » 18 Feb 2012, 16:00

Hat's off for you Frank

, for patiance and perseverence in breeding this species.
care to share some info on you're photo technique? u're photo's allways amazes me , the amount of sharpness and detail .

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 18 Feb 2012, 16:20

christiansen wrote:Hat's off for you Frank , for patiance and perseverence in breeding this species.

Is that just a nice way of saying that I'm obstinate and don't know when to give up??? lol.

care to share some info on you're photo technique? u're photo's allways amazes me , the amount of sharpness and detail .

Honestly, my images are simply the by-product of having a tremendous amount of time to practice and using the absolute best equipment that I really can't afford. Long live Canon "L" glass.

While many have accused me of being a little cretin, that refuses to divulge any magical secrets, I can assure you that I have the same number of secrets regarding my photography as I do about spawning Corys. That would be a big, fat "none."

If there is a secret to either, it would simply be, patience.

Cheers. - Frank

christiansen · Post by **christiansen** » 18 Feb 2012, 16:36

"Canon L " lens .. those are some high end - high price lens

.
thanx for the answer , so the bottom line is practice and patience

Coryologist · Post by **Coryologist** » 18 Feb 2012, 16:41

christiansen wrote:"Canon L " lens .. those are some high end - high price lens .

As with most things in life, "You get, what you pay for."

thanx for the answer , so the bottom line is practice and patience

In a nutshell, yes - although adding a smidgen of persistence to the mix, never hurts. Cheers. - Frank