Yes, in this day of patreon, go fund me, merch, facebook pages etc. etc. I really do gravitate toward the channels that are just about free sharing of information for the benefit of the viewers and whatever fish they are keeping. Keep spilling those secrets, man.
I love seeing that icon pop up when you've just posted because I really do appreciate your videos it makes me want to try everything you do. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻😁
Thanks for another excellent video! Love the breeding videos! You do a great job explaining everything in detail and showing good video of the smallest eggs! We appreciate you!!!
Thanks Mark only got my first Congo tetra just lately and find this insight pretty useful. I do favour the crate bottom in a breeding programme and i've yet to breed an egg layer but have managed to bring various types to spawning stage, just wasn't prepared for it at the time. Can't wait to breed these congo's someday. Thanks again Mark. Phil emerald isle.
I just have mine congo's spawn today and I managed to witness. Thank you very much for your brilliant videos. If you reading this I wan to tell you that your breading videos are the best on RUclips and I really miss you. Hope you're in good health and soon you'll surprise us with new videos.
Again Mark I am just watching where you joom in on the congo eggs and you can see them wriggling in the egg that's amazing and if you feel like me t it's amazi g how they survive in the wild and its gob smacking how awesome nature can be like you say when you breed the fish and what them grow its like your watch your own. Great video
Fantastic series of vids I am really enjoying them thanks, I don’t know when the last vid is before you go away but enjoy what ever you are going to do and have a safe journey ....good luck
HI Mark, the video content truly peaks my interest; i can only imagine how keen you must be seeing it live! I want to try all of these species that you've shown but they are not always available here in Trinidad.
I was pleased to see you tackle the Congo Tetra breeding project. I have raised these as a commercial breeder so my approach is usually to get maximum production and setting up many spawning tanks at the same time. I use a bottom screen covering the entire bottom. The spawning grids are made out of 1/2" black colored fluorescent light diffuser to which I super glue black nylon fly screen. All of these materials are sold at any large hardware store. and are chemically inert. These grids ensure there is no egg cannibalism by the breeders after spawning. It isn't rare to get over 300 fry per female. I used 40 US gallon breeder tanks which are 36L X 18 W X 16H inches. Usually use 2 reverse trios, 2M:1F X 2. I begin with about 8" of water over the grid , which I remove after removing the breeders, then gradually raise the water level as the fry grow. I would recommend to most people to use commercial peat free of any chemicals. I'm sure your garden peat is fine but you know exactly what is and isn't in it. Not everyone can be as certain. Looking forward to your subsequent development videos. I'd be nervous having to leave the fry with my fish sitter.
You remind me of "back in the days" where I had my fish room and again, you also inspire me. Breeding is fun! Just a comment about leaves - you mentioned oak leaves but beech leaves work very well too, if one has a tight budget. Also, the cones from alder trees has an antibacterial function (they will also sink pH fast). For both leaves and the alder cones, pick them on the ground or from the tree when they are old, scold them with boiling water and let it cool down. Then use them as they are. For the cones, be careful - they can crash the pH fast. I used to breed a lot of Apisto, and I have thought about this "many Apisto species breed in caves". I am not sure that is true. I think many of them breed in piles of leaves. Caves are not so common in nature, but leaves are. I have only tried it out once, with a thick layer of beech leaves, and it worked great. Many "caves" there! :)
Some sound information there. Yes beech leaves and alder cones also work fantastic. I use them now in some of my tanks. Leaf litter makes awesome breeding hide outs .sounds like you need another fish room.😀👍
@@MARKSAQUATICS You are totally right, I DO need another fish room! It is hard to get here in Vienna though, so I am planning ONE single stream tank just for fun (but I did include a sump and ooops, a couple of extra tanks underneath). What I want to do is to create a tank with possibilities to change water parameters and "natural" spawning places and fry hideouts. No more professional here. But about "peat" - for those that do not have a garden and a compost, they can go to a Garden center and buy a big sack of real peat (no fertilizer as you have mentioned). It works great too and a big bag lasts forever. Just keep it moist.
Great, great video, thank you so much! One question I have, is why didn't you set up this tank exactly like the neon breeding tank (peat substrate + moss + leaves)?
Other than Live Bearers, the only fish I had accidental luck breeding, were Kuhli Loaches. I had some Hygrophilia or Ludwidgia along the back of my tank, and they had lots of roots that netted all the mulm together. Every time the Plants reached the top of the tank I'd cute them back halfway and replant the tops. Low and behold one day about 3-4 months after I had the Kuhlis added to the community tank (15 Gallon) I was trimming the Hygrophilia/Ludwidgia and I saw about a dozen little "worms" with Kuhli faces looking back at me. :) All huffing and puffing as they do, rooting (literally) around the plant's extensive roots for naturally growing Infusoria and flake food bits. I started with 6 adults 4 of which were huge fat females which ended up being about a half inch think and 4-6 inches long. The biggest Kuhlis I ever have seen. The babies were maybe 3-4 weeks old (i guestimate) and I ended up with 19 of them. I think it helped that I had added Tetras' Black Water Tonic to the tank about 5-6-7 weeks before the babies showed up.
hi there my congos finally laid eggs so i removed parents but next day the eggs were covered in fungus. fully cycled 20 gallon tank, any tips to prevent this again? i though about methelyne blue but wasnt sure if thats ok to be in the water once they hatch?
Do you have any thread fin rainbowfish? If so, a video of breeding them would be good. I've seen mine breeding in my community tank and planning to move them to a separate tank soon.
I was wondering, do you feed the Infusoria and Walter Worms to your filter feeding shrimp/crayfish? Would that gee a good food to feed the older / larger ones say Bamboo and Vampire Shrimps? What else would you feed them, if anything else, that floats / swims in the water collumn?
What kind of shrimp did you have? Are all shrimp the same and safe for not harming the eggs? My Congo's often spawn but I think I need to have a special breeding tank and remove them after because they just eat up anything they produce straight away. I have two males and four females in a single species tank. I think I need to make a spawning mop too. Nothing I have found to buy in store or online of that microfiber towley kind of material has had good natural colours only bright ones so I think I need to make my own.
Hi Mark, After following your guide, my congo tetra has spawned today. :-). Thanks for great video. However I see most of the eggs became white (possible unfertilized) or get fungus. Do you have any recommendation on this? Is the male not good enough for breeding (as it's his first time), or possibly sterilized? (as I heard some local fish store told imported fishes usually get sterilized before sales)
Yes it really is down to the male. You could try another male, but like you said if it's the first time breeding with young fish it could be just down age and experience
@@MARKSAQUATICS is there anyway fish salers could sterilize fishes? I heard so much rumors abt it in Vietnam, especially for valuable fishes like congo tetra or rainbow fishes
Mark, of course they start when you're not looking. They like their privacy. lol I know I would't want a giant alien thing watching me while I was in flagrante delicto.
Hi Mark, I realised leaving the peat ball in the tank for a few days can really make the pH of the water drop lower than 6.2... do you know how low can the congos tolerate? Do you know how much was the pH when your congos started spawning? Thanks!
@@MARKSAQUATICS Thanks! I must say your method of having the peat ball is great because when the pH gets too low, I can simply remove it. But if I use it as a substrate, it will not be possible to remove the peat. 👍
Mark, your method works! My congos spawn today! Thank you so much for your help. Now is rearing the eggs to fry... Are the eggs light sensitive? I see that your fry tank are brightly lit..
hello let me ask how many eggs 1 congo fish lay and what is the loss rate to adulthood if i want to produce 1000 fish how many fingerlings do i need and please answer the question of congo fish from spawning to size 6 -7 cm how long, thank you
Животные
Just dropped in to say:
YOU DA MAN...
I totally appreciate you sharing knowledge freely as that's what it's all about.
Groovy.
I'm like that magician that's gone rogue spilling all the secrets of the trade. Lol 😂😂.
I'm off to watch you start building your big filter now. 👍😀
Yes, in this day of patreon, go fund me, merch, facebook pages etc. etc. I really do gravitate toward the channels that are just about free sharing of information for the benefit of the viewers and whatever fish they are keeping. Keep spilling those secrets, man.
Thanks for another excellent video. I’m enjoying every one, I look forward to you posting.
I love seeing that icon pop up when you've just posted because I really do appreciate your videos it makes me want to try everything you do. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻😁
Thanks for another excellent video! Love the breeding videos! You do a great job explaining everything in detail and showing good video of the smallest eggs! We appreciate you!!!
Fantastic Mark loved it especially the egg close up, you are a talented man. Have a lovely holiday Cheers.
Another awsome video sir thanks. You are like that boy down the street just golden. Happy fishkeeping
Thanks Mark only got my first Congo tetra just lately and find this insight pretty useful. I do favour the crate bottom in a breeding programme and i've yet to breed an egg layer but have managed to bring various types to spawning stage, just wasn't prepared for it at the time. Can't wait to breed these congo's someday. Thanks again Mark. Phil emerald isle.
Great vid. These spawning series are wonderful!
Cheers,
Chris
I just have mine congo's spawn today and I managed to witness. Thank you very much for your brilliant videos. If you reading this I wan to tell you that your breading videos are the best on RUclips and I really miss you. Hope you're in good health and soon you'll surprise us with new videos.
Fantastic! That was really cool to see the little one wiggling in the egg! Thanks again for a awesome video!
fascinating totally fascinating, thank you for shearing
Love it. Marvelous work Mark!!!
Another great video!!! Have a great vacation, can’t wait to see pictures!!! 🌟⭐️💫
Great video again Mark love these mini breeding series keep up the good work and have a great hollibobs
Man you rock!!!!!! I definitely love your work!!
One of this days you should do CPD's I love them little fish!!!
Very informative videos! Thanks a lot :) I’m picking my first congos up in two days, to try and breed them. 9 females & 3 males for now
Again Mark I am just watching where you joom in on the congo eggs and you can see them wriggling in the egg that's amazing and if you feel like me t it's amazi g how they survive in the wild and its gob smacking how awesome nature can be like you say when you breed the fish and what them grow its like your watch your own. Great video
Amazing as usual mark! Thanks for sharing buddy 👍
amazing!! i cant stop being amazed of your videos!! i cant wait to set up my 2 aquariums and start breeding
Fantastic footage of the eggs, Mark. Just what I was hoping to see. Still unsuccessful over here but am fattening up my pigs for another go!
Great video. Thanks!
Wow Mark them Congo eggs 🥚 are amazing and your videos have awsome information on how too breed fish great video
Great video Mark. Thanks
Cheers 🍻mark , thanks for the great video .....
brilliant love the breeding videos
Fantastic series of vids I am really enjoying them thanks, I don’t know when the last vid is before you go away but enjoy what ever you are going to do and have a safe journey ....good luck
Thank you Alex. 👍😀
Are you a Guernsey lad ?
Subbed really brilliant video and excellent narrating !
thanks for watching and subscribing.
HI Mark, the video content truly peaks my interest; i can only imagine how keen you must be seeing it live! I want to try all of these species that you've shown but they are not always available here in Trinidad.
Thanks for watching Michael. 👍😀
I was pleased to see you tackle the Congo Tetra breeding project. I have raised these as a commercial breeder so my approach is usually to get maximum production and setting up many spawning tanks at the same time. I use a bottom screen covering the entire bottom. The spawning grids are made out of 1/2" black colored fluorescent light diffuser to which I super glue black nylon fly screen. All of these materials are sold at any large hardware store. and are chemically inert. These grids ensure there is no egg cannibalism by the breeders after spawning. It isn't rare to get over 300 fry per female. I used 40 US gallon breeder tanks which are 36L X 18 W X 16H inches. Usually use 2 reverse trios, 2M:1F X 2. I begin with about 8" of water over the grid , which I remove after removing the breeders, then gradually raise the water level as the fry grow.
I would recommend to most people to use commercial peat free of any chemicals. I'm sure your garden peat is fine but you know exactly what is and isn't in it. Not everyone can be as certain. Looking forward to your subsequent development videos. I'd be nervous having to leave the fry with my fish sitter.
After 4 years do you still stick to the exact same method? If anything has changed for the better, I would be interested in learning.
Another great video, enjoy your holiday :)
Fantastic!!!! 👏👏🐟🐟🐟
You remind me of "back in the days" where I had my fish room and again, you also inspire me. Breeding is fun! Just a comment about leaves - you mentioned oak leaves but beech leaves work very well too, if one has a tight budget. Also, the cones from alder trees has an antibacterial function (they will also sink pH fast). For both leaves and the alder cones, pick them on the ground or from the tree when they are old, scold them with boiling water and let it cool down. Then use them as they are. For the cones, be careful - they can crash the pH fast.
I used to breed a lot of Apisto, and I have thought about this "many Apisto species breed in caves". I am not sure that is true. I think many of them breed in piles of leaves. Caves are not so common in nature, but leaves are. I have only tried it out once, with a thick layer of beech leaves, and it worked great. Many "caves" there! :)
Some sound information there. Yes beech leaves and alder cones also work fantastic. I use them now in some of my tanks. Leaf litter makes awesome breeding hide outs .sounds like you need another fish room.😀👍
@@MARKSAQUATICS You are totally right, I DO need another fish room! It is hard to get here in Vienna though, so I am planning ONE single stream tank just for fun (but I did include a sump and ooops, a couple of extra tanks underneath). What I want to do is to create a tank with possibilities to change water parameters and "natural" spawning places and fry hideouts. No more professional here.
But about "peat" - for those that do not have a garden and a compost, they can go to a Garden center and buy a big sack of real peat (no fertilizer as you have mentioned). It works great too and a big bag lasts forever. Just keep it moist.
Great, great video, thank you so much!
One question I have, is why didn't you set up this tank exactly like the neon breeding tank (peat substrate + moss + leaves)?
Well done!
Other than Live Bearers, the only fish I had accidental luck breeding, were Kuhli Loaches. I had some Hygrophilia or Ludwidgia along the back of my tank, and they had lots of roots that netted all the mulm together. Every time the Plants reached the top of the tank I'd cute them back halfway and replant the tops. Low and behold one day about 3-4 months after I had the Kuhlis added to the community tank (15 Gallon) I was trimming the Hygrophilia/Ludwidgia and I saw about a dozen little "worms" with Kuhli faces looking back at me. :) All huffing and puffing as they do, rooting (literally) around the plant's extensive roots for naturally growing Infusoria and flake food bits. I started with 6 adults 4 of which were huge fat females which ended up being about a half inch think and 4-6 inches long. The biggest Kuhlis I ever have seen. The babies were maybe 3-4 weeks old (i guestimate) and I ended up with 19 of them. I think it helped that I had added Tetras' Black Water Tonic to the tank about 5-6-7 weeks before the babies showed up.
I bred Kuhli Loaches years ago their a lovely little fish. might breed them again. 👍😀
BEST channel on you tube
Thank you! 👍😀
Great vid, is there a part 3 with the fry?
thanks for the knowledge these videos contain
Thanks for watching 😀👍
What parameters should I have in the aquarium. and can I put an almond leaf and a mangrove trunk?
What sized tank would you recommend for a pair of these guys with some community fish, they look fantastic.
36L x12D x15w would be ok.
hi there my congos finally laid eggs so i removed parents but next day the eggs were covered in fungus. fully cycled 20 gallon tank, any tips to prevent this again? i though about methelyne blue but wasnt sure if thats ok to be in the water once they hatch?
Do you have any thread fin rainbowfish? If so, a video of breeding them would be good. I've seen mine breeding in my community tank and planning to move them to a separate tank soon.
Yes I plan to breed rainbow fish at some point.👍😀
I was wondering, do you feed the Infusoria and Walter Worms to your filter feeding shrimp/crayfish? Would that gee a good food to feed the older / larger ones say Bamboo and Vampire Shrimps? What else would you feed them, if anything else, that floats / swims in the water collumn?
Yes Infusoria and Walter Worms are great for feeding fan shrimp. And Walter Worms are great food for caridina and neocaridina shrimp also.👍😀
Would adding methylene blue prevent mold growth?
What kind of shrimp did you have? Are all shrimp the same and safe for not harming the eggs? My Congo's often spawn but I think I need to have a special breeding tank and remove them after because they just eat up anything they produce straight away. I have two males and four females in a single species tank. I think I need to make a spawning mop too. Nothing I have found to buy in store or online of that microfiber towley kind of material has had good natural colours only bright ones so I think I need to make my own.
Yellow sakura shrimp and cherry shrimp. Try getting hold of a large piece of java moss for them to spawn in to.
Great video mark, Just a quick question if you put an algae wafer in your tank and it doesn't get consumed in 30 minutes do you leave it in 👍😀
Yes I leave mine in for a few hours before I remove them.
Ok thanks mark 👍😀
Hi Mark, for these congos, can i use a mesh at the bottom, versus a spawning mop? thanks!
You could but make sure you put the moss or mop on the mesh as they won't spawn just on the mesh.
@@MARKSAQUATICS thanks for the quick reply Mark. your videos are a great help!
What do you do for the eggs after they are layed?
🤙👍
Can you tell me how many days the eggs will hatch?
Hi Mark,
After following your guide, my congo tetra has spawned today. :-). Thanks for great video.
However I see most of the eggs became white (possible unfertilized) or get fungus. Do you have any recommendation on this? Is the male not good enough for breeding (as it's his first time), or possibly sterilized? (as I heard some local fish store told imported fishes usually get sterilized before sales)
Yes it really is down to the male. You could try another male, but like you said if it's the first time breeding with young fish it could be just down age and experience
@@MARKSAQUATICS is there anyway fish salers could sterilize fishes? I heard so much rumors abt it in Vietnam, especially for valuable fishes like congo tetra or rainbow fishes
Mark, of course they start when you're not looking. They like their privacy. lol I know I would't want a giant alien thing watching me while I was in flagrante delicto.
thy love coconut flakes 😋
Hi Mark, I realised leaving the peat ball in the tank for a few days can really make the pH of the water drop lower than 6.2... do you know how low can the congos tolerate? Do you know how much was the pH when your congos started spawning? Thanks!
anything from 5 to 6.5 and they will breed. Mine bred at a ph of 6.
@@MARKSAQUATICS Thanks! I must say your method of having the peat ball is great because when the pH gets too low, I can simply remove it. But if I use it as a substrate, it will not be possible to remove the peat. 👍
Mark, your method works! My congos spawn today! Thank you so much for your help. Now is rearing the eggs to fry... Are the eggs light sensitive? I see that your fry tank are brightly lit..
You could use a dimmer to slowly bring up the light, so the fish don't get a heart attack when the light flips on full charge.
Do they eat their eggs?
hello let me ask how many eggs 1 congo fish lay and what is the loss rate to adulthood if i want to produce 1000 fish how many fingerlings do i need and please answer the question of congo fish from spawning to size 6 -7 cm how long, thank you
Are you still breeding these Mark
By chance have you has success in breeding the Boraras brigittae (Chili Rasbora)? Maybe doing a video on it..?
Not as yet . But I have some so I'll be breeding them at some point. 😀👍
@@MARKSAQUATICS - Awesome... Thanks!
What kind of shrimp is that?
How do u tell the sea of fish
دمت گرم کاش زیرنویس فارسی هم داشت 🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒🖒❤
Hi Mark. Just one important information is missing. Hatching time ?
5 to 7 days 😀👍
@@MARKSAQUATICS Thank you. lol
Are congo tetras okay with shrimp?
Adults yes but they will most certainly have a go at young shrimp
Can i breeding out doors?
You can if the temperature is right.
They preffer the shade, I guess.
Have you stopped RUclips mark ?
No just had a break due to high energy costs. I'm back now.
I understand had to do the same myself with the chameleons glad to here it
Are you still breeding these Mark