Breeding Tilapia and Ph

[tpilk]

Hi,

Got a new pair of future parents - picked them out based on behavior/interaction after lots of observation. And, all the right things have been happening (hopefully one is not gay!)

These two have been at it a while with no results. I happened to notice the Ph in this tank is pushing 8. I've never had issues breeding in the past and though there could be a few things going on - fish not mature enough, two of the same sex, etc, I'm wondering if Ph could be the factor? Like I said - behavior is all good...he's letting her into the nest, she stays for a day or two, then he runs her out. Then they've repeated the process for going on two weeks.

Any thoughts?

[kellenw]

Hi Tpilk,

pH 8 is completely fine for most tilapia strains.

[tpilk]

Thanks Kellen - I was hoping you'd reply. I know the fish do fine at 8 but wasn't sure about breeding. Guess I just need to be patient. I've always had older, larger fish for breeders and so I'm not 100% sure this is an actual pair. This is the first time I've chosen them strictly on behavior - you know, a glass of wine or two or three and just watch the fish play. I've often read it's the most reliable way to sex them, well, observing, not the wine part. Guess we'll see if I was paying attention!

Thanks again

[kellenw]

Sorry, I should have worded that a bit clearer. They should BREED just fine in pH 8.

Possibly one of the easiest ways to get some breeders is to put 5-6 tilapia in an aquarium of at least 40 gallons (a 75 is even better) and watch them. You'll see a dominant male emerge, who will guard a side of the aquarium quite aggressively. Hopefully, in a few days to a week you will also start finding a female or two holding eggs. Net out the females as soon as you see them holding, and put them in a different tank just for verified females. Replace females you remove from the first tank with new fish (so you always have 5 or 6 in the first tank). Repeat this process until you have the number of females you need. Then, net out that dominant male and put in with the females.... Voila! Breeder colony. hehe

[tpilk]

Hi Kellen,

I had read your advice to a previous inquiry on this and so that is pretty much what I've done, except that I was only (mostly) sure about one female. And, I also got a little impatient. Previously I had found my female by visual inspection, but these guys are smaller. Plus the visual inspection was pretty hit or miss for me - I think I just got lucky.

I have two tanks for breeding, each 55 gal and once I get eggs, I move dad out right away and then after a week or two, mom will go to tank 2 as well. I bounce back and forth between tanks with them. I gave away my previous breeding pair (only had one pair because I don't have a huge need for fry). I'm trying to start up with a new pair now, so I've got to get it sorted.

I think I'll set up a bigger tank as well - half a dozen fish get pretty cramped and busy in the 55 gal tanks. One can never have enough fish tanks, right?

Thanks again.