The hiatus ended without me

TwoTankAmin · 07-07-2008, 08:34 PM

So I had this plan. the zebras had been on hiatus since early Feb. with the exception of one spawn that was a total surprise. The caves were not being claimed and everybody was on vacation.

Going by the last on and off cycle, I assumed lateJuly would be about when they should be ready to start again. So I figured I would try and nudge em along by skipping water changes and then doing a massive one to coincide with a storm. of course I also planned to stuff em on blood worms and other high protein foods as well. So I reduce the size of last friday's waterchange to 30% vs the normal 50%. While cleaning the tank I noticed 3 or 4 caves were occupied which I took as a good sign they were getting ready.

To my surprise on Saturday morning I noticed the alpha male in the prime spawning cave acting like he was on eggs. It took me til today to be able to confirm that he is indeed tending a clutch. And Fatty is in the number two cave acting like he may be on eggs rather than advertsising for a lady. But he is so wide there is no chance I can see around him to the rear of the cave. So I will have to wait and see.

After all my planning, the dang fish go ahead and spawn without me doing anything. I wonder why they even bother keeping me around. Oh yeah- its must be for the blood worms and cyclops.

OrionGirl · 07-07-2008, 08:45 PM

You carry heavy things? Look cute? That's why the cats keep me around, anyway.

Trixie · 07-07-2008, 08:50 PM

And don't forget just entertainment value. That counts for a lot!

Tanks Master · 07-07-2008, 09:43 PM

Gotta love nature... Mating happens when you want it to or not

rich311k · 07-08-2008, 04:23 AM

Congrats, they need some one to bring food and change water, so they picked you.

rosita · 07-08-2008, 11:16 AM

Just goes to show us all, "You can't fool with Mother Nature"!!!

Emg · 07-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Lol T....nice going, even if you didn't do anything !

Do you still have any left from the last batch ?

TwoTankAmin · 07-08-2008, 01:36 PM

Sure do Auntie Emg. I have 11 I kept for myself from a few different spawns. I got to see them all together for the first time about 10 days ago when I moved their tank from the living room onto the screen terrace. I had to take out most of the water and all of the rock/slate so they were all exposed and looking great. The biggest are 2+ inch and looking fat and sassy.

I also have them growing out in 3 tanks. My best estimate of the total fry in these is about 65 +/- 5.

Emg · 07-08-2008, 02:18 PM

Wonderful T ! I'm looking forward to a glut in the market of tank raised zebra plecs because of your efforts. When that happens I just may be able to afford some !

07-07-2008, 08:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
TwoTankAmin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westchester Co., NY Posts: 716	The hiatus ended without me So I had this plan. the zebras had been on hiatus since early Feb. with the exception of one spawn that was a total surprise. The caves were not being claimed and everybody was on vacation. Going by the last on and off cycle, I assumed lateJuly would be about when they should be ready to start again. So I figured I would try and nudge em along by skipping water changes and then doing a massive one to coincide with a storm. of course I also planned to stuff em on blood worms and other high protein foods as well. So I reduce the size of last friday's waterchange to 30% vs the normal 50%. While cleaning the tank I noticed 3 or 4 caves were occupied which I took as a good sign they were getting ready. To my surprise on Saturday morning I noticed the alpha male in the prime spawning cave acting like he was on eggs. It took me til today to be able to confirm that he is indeed tending a clutch. And Fatty is in the number two cave acting like he may be on eggs rather than advertsising for a lady. But he is so wide there is no chance I can see around him to the rear of the cave. So I will have to wait and see. After all my planning, the dang fish go ahead and spawn without me doing anything. I wonder why they even bother keeping me around. Oh yeah- its must be for the blood worms and cyclops. __________________ Te audire non possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.

07-07-2008, 08:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
OrionGirl Miss you, Old Man Join Date: May 2006 Location: California coastline Posts: 6,683	You carry heavy things? Look cute? That's why the cats keep me around, anyway. __________________ ~Sheila tempus edax rerum Ideas do not have to be correct in order to be good; its only necessary that, if they do fail, they do so in an interesting way. ~Robert Rosen

07-07-2008, 08:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Trixie Meow. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,360	And don't forget just entertainment value. That counts for a lot! __________________

07-07-2008, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tanks Master Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mars Posts: 390	Gotta love nature... Mating happens when you want it to or not __________________ Visit Florida 3.5 million* pleco's cant be wrong. *This number subject to change ~ A True Friend is someone who thinks your a good egg even though he knows your slightly cracked ~Bernard Meltzer

07-08-2008, 11:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
rosita Happy trails. .. to you Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cape Fear River Basin Posts: 2,045	Just goes to show us all, "You can't fool with Mother Nature"!!! __________________ Mares eat oats and goats eat oats . . . . and little lambs eat ivy . . . .

07-08-2008, 04:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
rich311k Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 212	Congrats, they need some one to bring food and change water, so they picked you.

07-08-2008, 01:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Emg Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northeastern Ct Posts: 3,125	Lol T....nice going, even if you didn't do anything ! Do you still have any left from the last batch ? __________________ Blog of my tanks and critters....come check em out and don't forget the archives ! http://emgstanks.blogspot.com/ Eileen

07-08-2008, 01:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
TwoTankAmin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westchester Co., NY Posts: 716	Sure do Auntie Emg. I have 11 I kept for myself from a few different spawns. I got to see them all together for the first time about 10 days ago when I moved their tank from the living room onto the screen terrace. I had to take out most of the water and all of the rock/slate so they were all exposed and looking great. The biggest are 2+ inch and looking fat and sassy. I also have them growing out in 3 tanks. My best estimate of the total fry in these is about 65 +/- 5. __________________ Te audire non possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.

07-08-2008, 02:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Emg Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northeastern Ct Posts: 3,125	Wonderful T ! I'm looking forward to a glut in the market of tank raised zebra plecs because of your efforts. When that happens I just may be able to afford some ! __________________ Blog of my tanks and critters....come check em out and don't forget the archives ! http://emgstanks.blogspot.com/ Eileen

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