Breeding size for S. multipunctatus

Manofsnow · Post by **Manofsnow** » 25 Jul 2005, 06:21

I have ten of these little guys that range from 3"-4". I bought the host cichlids along with the catfish but the cichlids are already breeding and ready for the catfish. At what size will these catfish breed? Also, what M/F ratio should I use to breed...does it matter?

Michael

laurab5 · Post by **laurab5** » 25 Jul 2005, 13:54

From the time of birth, it takes these 3-4 years to breed. If I had to guess, they need another 1 inches, but don't rush, once they start breeding you will have tons of babies. As for the ratio, it doesn't matter with that many, as long as you have 5 females. You need to have 2 males and the rest females. What size tank are they in and what are the host cichlids.

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 25 Jul 2005, 14:52

Dewey and Delores Scheere of Wet Thumb Aquatics once told me their F1s spawned at 24 months and not a month before.

Jerry Meranda claimed to have spawned his in 18 months.

Mine acted ready at the former. Just about 2 years old seems to be correct.

Get your cichlids in a regular spawning pattern with you stripping fry weekly. Once you are produceing cichlid eggs and fry every week, add some cats. 3.3 or 2.2 would be the counts and ratios I'd recommend. Too many cats and the surplus fishes are raiding the nest eating catfish eggs as well as cichlid eggs. Not good for catfish production!

Manofsnow · Post by **Manofsnow** » 25 Jul 2005, 21:26

Hey look, it's the man that got me into this mess. How you been Paul? I've had the fish for about a year now and I'd assume they were pretty old when I got them because of their rather large size. They aren't wild, but I might just buy some as my patience runs low.

I'm using A. calliptera these guys are breeding quite regularly and fry are even surviving in the main tank. They are currently in a 125 but will be moved to a 75 or a 55 for breeding with the catfish.

Should I throw the catfish in there and see if they will spawn, if not do I take them out and try again later?

Where can I get some wild caughts for cheap? Yes, I have a business licence so I can wholesale them... any ideas?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 25 Jul 2005, 21:51

I hate when people use the term "cheap" when talking about livestock. IME: You always seem to get what you pay for.

I can tell you the businesses I've worked with that gave me reasonable pricing on box lots however...

Check you P/Ms.

Manofsnow · Post by **Manofsnow** » 25 Jul 2005, 23:11

I mean cheap as in well priced. Cheapest I found was $18 a piece for wild adults...

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 26 Jul 2005, 01:37

Wich is a VERY nice price for adult wildcaughts, btw!

It's all petricola's these days; good quality multipunctatus are getting rare; I've seen wildcaught sub-adults and adults ranging from 22-35E; wich is even more (about a third) in US dollars (29-46$!)

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 26 Jul 2005, 14:47

I usually paid between $20-$25 U.S. a piece.

$18/each seems like an excellent price...