Inducing bangaii to spit?

[David M]

Hmm... I thought this would be easy. I snagged a holding male out of his tank, have him in a bucket. I have been mercilessly tormenting him, he won't give up. I have seen so many bangaii die from stress I am afraid to keep this up. Any ideas?

 

[mwp]

Take a paperclip, bend it out into a straight bar. While gently holding the fish in your right hand, with your left hand, push that round bar into the mouth and push the lower jaw down (if I is a fish viewed from above, then a T is the fish with the bar across it's mouth, holding the lower jaw down). Then drag the fish backwards, up and out of the water. Shouldn't have to do it more than 2-3 times and the eggs/larvae will be flushed out. That's how we did it for everything from Frontosa to Tropheus. It may sound "traumatic" and I'm sure it is, but I'm also sure it's quicker and less traumatic than annoying the fish to the point where it spits on its own!

FWIW,

Matt

 

[David M]

I have another cichlid breeder over here right now suggesting the same thing. I'm not gonna risk that, seen way too many bangaii die from stress. IOW I'm way too chicken for that.

I put him back in the tank and will try agin when I have more info. Hoping Coraldynamics or Frank will weigh in

 

[mwp]

I've risked much pricier fish than the bangaii's with the technique for stripping. FWIW, it's much quicker...wet hands are safe hands when it comes to slime coat. I realize the stress factor..I think the time factor involved in stripping makes it less stressful than cojoling (spelling?) the fish to spit. I've done it on my male once and he's still here to tell about it...that's about all the input I can offer up.

Matt

 

[David M]

OK then, I didn't realize you had done this to a bangaii before. I guess I'll have to get brave Problem is I have huge hands, holding a bangii is gonna be tough

 

[ediaz]

give him some chewing tobacco?

how many purples today?

 

[David M]

Still just the two, only 4 more possible, don't know what they are waiting for. I'm happy with two, it's start

DAVID M CAN BREED ORCHID DOTTYBACKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!