Freshwater

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Part IV: Breeding and Other Fun Stuff
But if you want stay in control of which fish breed and when, set up a spawning
tank (a tank designated only for breeding and raising certain fish at a certain
time). That way, you can adjust the water quality and feeding schedule
as necessary, as well as cull (separate the good from the bad) the fry of each
species you’re raising. Culling is simply the process of separating the fish you
want to keep from the fish you don’t. This ensures being able to breed individuals
with the characteristics you want.
A good spawning tank is just a miniaturized version of the main tank. Make
sure it has proper filtration, good water conditions, gravel, and plants to give
your fish that “feel at home” sensation. A 5- or 10-gallon-tank makes a great
breeding tank. Many hobbyists remove a majority of the decorations in a
breeding tank, but we like to keep it as natural as possible. The final choice
is yours.
Beginning a fish-breeding program brings with it some humane responsibility.
Fish that you produce through breeding should, as they do in the wild, find
their place in the biological ecosystem. Some species produce dozens or
even hundreds of young. It’s doubtful that you will want to keep every fish
that your breeding pairs create. You should make every attempt to raise
these fish, sell them, trade them, or give them away to good owners. If you
think you cannot do these things, it may mean using excess fry to feed larger
fish. Although this situation is found in nature, if you don’t like the sound of
you yourself doing it, then breeding is not for you.
Introducing the Bride and Groom
With most species, it is better to introduce the female to the spawning tank
ahead of the male. Males are more aggressive, and putting the female in first
allows her to establish a little bit of territory for herself. There are a few
exceptions to this rule, so check the breeding requirements and strategies
for each individual species by talking with other hobbyists who breed that
species, attending fish clubs, talking to your local dealer, and researching
species on the Web.
Give the female plenty of time to become comfortable in the new tank (at
least a couple of hours, until she is swimming normally and not hiding in her
new surroundings). When she looks like she has become queen of the hill,
place her behind a clear tank partition (usually made of professionally cut
glass, plastic, or Plexiglas) before you introduce the male. You can purchase
partitions at pet stores or make your own. This “prenuptial” separation lets
the male get accustomed to the sight of his mate and give him a chance to
calm down a little bit before he actually meets her. Leave the partition up
until the male seems like he is calm. You don’t need to do this with all
species, but it is usually the safest way to go.