I'd like to venture into breeding.. Suggested reading, and where to get broodstock?

[MJT82]

I've been in the hobby for quite a while, and am now interested in stepping into breeding. I've been doing quite a bit of research, and thought I'd like to try Bangaii first. As I am still in the planning/research stage of the journey, what should I be reading? Also, I've been trying to locate a Bangaii breeder so that I could use captive bred broodstock... Any suggestions on this? Any and all direction and advice on how I should approach research and setup will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[nauticac4]

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Illustrated-Breeders-Marine-Aquarium/dp/1890087718

The complete marine breeders guide is a good introduction to breeding and what it takes to breed most types of marine fish and inverts that have been bred. Clownfish by Wilkerson is a good one as well but obviously about clownfish not cardinal fish. There is a good pdf about cardinal breeding that I have seen a few times a google search might produce something.

Start slow and focused. Gain success with one species before moving to another. Breeding takes a watchful eye, and small adjustments, troubleshooting, time and research. Bangaii are fairly easy to breed I got 4 bangaii and threw them in a tank together. A pair will seperate from the group and frighten the other two into a corner. Remove those two and the remaining two are your pair. I got lucky and actually formed two pairs. MOFIB did the bangaii for its breeders challenge last year so there is some good info on their site.

Capitve stock is always a good way to go and shouldn't hinder your breeding in any way.

Start small and work your way to getting bigger, write everything down, be patient. Most fish aren't going to go at it right away. I have a maroon pair that spawns like clockwork and moving the tank didn't stop that. I also have a pair of percs that took almost 2 years to start spawning. My male bangaii eats every clutch of eggs. There are many hurdles take them one at a time and dont get discouraged.

I think thats enough rambling. Good Luck!!

 

[MJT82]

Thank you for the info! I did find the .pdf file "The Bangaii Manual" by Rain Garden Ornamentals that you mentioned... I read it last night, and it was insightful. I'll also pick up that book that you mentioned! I'd thought about doing clowns, but I love the Bangaii so much that I'd like to go with them. Also, I don't think there is anyone in the area breeding them (or much else for that matter). Anyone else with any input for me?

 

[lake_effect]

Along with Joyce Wilkerson's clownfish book, Matt Wittenrich's Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes is also useful to take a look at, especially with the larval feeding charts for each species:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Illustrated-Breeders-Marine-Aquarium/dp/1890087718

Good luck with the Bangaii.

 

[slosht]

Hoff's Plankton Culturing Manual is a good one to pick up too, the babies will need to eat.

I've also got a site for you to check out about captive breeding, I'll pm it to you.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

Join MOFIB.

Jeff


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