C. Panda. Have Stopped Spawning
Posted: 29 Apr 2015, 03:03
Hi everyone, I've searched and searched the internet for a sensible answer to my question, but can't seem to find one. Found this site amongst my interwebby travels, so thought I'd register and ask for help/advice and whatnot. Apologies if this is a daft question.
So, a very simple question, does anyone have any sort of idea why my C. Pandas have stopped spawning?
It's been more than a year.
I currently have a school of 26 (I think).
Thanks if anyone can help. I'm very busy with work at the moment (heading out now actually) but will obviously pop back in, in a day or so to see if anyone has any ideas.
A quick back history.
Being a complete and total novice and numbskull, four or so years ago, I bought my first and current aquarium. Having absolutely no idea whatsoever about Cycling a tank (I know!) I went out and bought 9 C. Panda along with the food they told me to buy. I took them home and duly added to the tank.
Then, that afternoon I decided to research the species and to find out what I needed to do. Ignorant I know, but I genuinely thought you put fish in water and fed them and changed the water once a week. What a learning curve I hit!
So, what followed was more water changes and more money spent on aquasafe than I care (or want) to remember. Carrying buckets of water before work, after work, before bed and on a few occasions in the middle of the night! I thought the wife was gonna file for divorce at one point! My entire life seemed to revolve around API testing and carrying water. Luckily, thankfully, more by luck than judgement, I cycled the tank without a single loss. I actually felt a great sense of achievement but even now I hope none of the wee lads and lasses suffered due to my ignorance.
Scared of triggering another mini cycle, I left the gang as they were. Long story short, those 9 are now 26. I've never once 'assisted' by removing eggs. Only fish I've ever bought since the original 9 are the Otto's. (Tank is Panda and Otto only) After every Panda spawning, I let nature take its course.
Eggs used to pop up everywhere. Of course many would get eaten, but obviously some survived.
Approximately 18 months ago, the spawning dwindled and just over a year ago they eventually ceased completely.
Nothing has changed within the tank with regards to temperature, or any water chemistry. I haven't rearranged bogwood/plants etc. The substrate is the same since day 1. Water flow, aeration, all the same as it's always been. I must have been very lucky when I chose the sand originally as there's no discernable barbell damage I can see. My maintenance routines are the same as they've always been. I'm stumped as to why the spawning has stopped. Feeding is exactly the same as always, as varied as possible. I just don't understand.
Is it something obvious? Is it normal?
Everything else seems completely fine.
Thanks for reading and I hope it's not a stupid question. I'm not concerned on my behalf that the gang have become celebate, I'm concerned about the gang in case I'm doing something wrong. I'm very much the novice! I think I always will be with the cheeky bunch.
All the best
Bif.
ps. I've filled in the health question thingy, but it's not really (I hope not) a health problem.
1. Water parameters
a) Temperature range 22.5
b) pH 6.8
c) GH 8
d) KH 7.2
e) Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate never higher than 15.
f) Water change frequency 25%, 3 times a week.
2. Tank set up
a) Size 300L
b) Substrate, Sand (can't remember the brand, approx 1 inch deep)
c) Filtration, x2 Fluval U3 internals, one each end of tank.
d) Furnishings, lots of Bogwood, lots of Anubias and Moss. Few small rocks, big pebbles etc amongst bogwood to provide hideyholes.
e) Other tank mates.
x6 Ottocinclus
f) How long has it been set-up?
4+ Years
3. Symptoms / Problem description
Lack of Spawning
4. Action taken (if any)
N/A
5. Medications used (if any)
N/A
So, a very simple question, does anyone have any sort of idea why my C. Pandas have stopped spawning?
It's been more than a year.
I currently have a school of 26 (I think).
Thanks if anyone can help. I'm very busy with work at the moment (heading out now actually) but will obviously pop back in, in a day or so to see if anyone has any ideas.
A quick back history.
Being a complete and total novice and numbskull, four or so years ago, I bought my first and current aquarium. Having absolutely no idea whatsoever about Cycling a tank (I know!) I went out and bought 9 C. Panda along with the food they told me to buy. I took them home and duly added to the tank.
Then, that afternoon I decided to research the species and to find out what I needed to do. Ignorant I know, but I genuinely thought you put fish in water and fed them and changed the water once a week. What a learning curve I hit!
So, what followed was more water changes and more money spent on aquasafe than I care (or want) to remember. Carrying buckets of water before work, after work, before bed and on a few occasions in the middle of the night! I thought the wife was gonna file for divorce at one point! My entire life seemed to revolve around API testing and carrying water. Luckily, thankfully, more by luck than judgement, I cycled the tank without a single loss. I actually felt a great sense of achievement but even now I hope none of the wee lads and lasses suffered due to my ignorance.
Scared of triggering another mini cycle, I left the gang as they were. Long story short, those 9 are now 26. I've never once 'assisted' by removing eggs. Only fish I've ever bought since the original 9 are the Otto's. (Tank is Panda and Otto only) After every Panda spawning, I let nature take its course.
Eggs used to pop up everywhere. Of course many would get eaten, but obviously some survived.
Approximately 18 months ago, the spawning dwindled and just over a year ago they eventually ceased completely.
Nothing has changed within the tank with regards to temperature, or any water chemistry. I haven't rearranged bogwood/plants etc. The substrate is the same since day 1. Water flow, aeration, all the same as it's always been. I must have been very lucky when I chose the sand originally as there's no discernable barbell damage I can see. My maintenance routines are the same as they've always been. I'm stumped as to why the spawning has stopped. Feeding is exactly the same as always, as varied as possible. I just don't understand.
Is it something obvious? Is it normal?
Everything else seems completely fine.
Thanks for reading and I hope it's not a stupid question. I'm not concerned on my behalf that the gang have become celebate, I'm concerned about the gang in case I'm doing something wrong. I'm very much the novice! I think I always will be with the cheeky bunch.
All the best
Bif.
ps. I've filled in the health question thingy, but it's not really (I hope not) a health problem.
1. Water parameters
a) Temperature range 22.5
b) pH 6.8
c) GH 8
d) KH 7.2
e) Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate never higher than 15.
f) Water change frequency 25%, 3 times a week.
2. Tank set up
a) Size 300L
b) Substrate, Sand (can't remember the brand, approx 1 inch deep)
c) Filtration, x2 Fluval U3 internals, one each end of tank.
d) Furnishings, lots of Bogwood, lots of Anubias and Moss. Few small rocks, big pebbles etc amongst bogwood to provide hideyholes.
e) Other tank mates.
x6 Ottocinclus
f) How long has it been set-up?
4+ Years
3. Symptoms / Problem description
Lack of Spawning
4. Action taken (if any)
N/A
5. Medications used (if any)
N/A