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Archocentrus septemfasciatus
These I collected at different fish auctions during 2005. Along
with Firemouths, Spilurus and Nicaraguenses they all had to
be tanked together as space was short!
Out of the blue the A.septemfasciatus started to show breeding
colours and particularly the female darting in & out of
a ceramic cave. Her colour on her pelvic fins and her eyes changed
to intense black, and her attack style made me realise she had
eggs in the ceramic cave, although I was not 100% for sure.
Time to remove all the Firemouths, Spilurus and Nicaraguenses
which was done, leaving just the female and the male in the
tank.
The tank was a 50x17x17 inch decorated with tiny pea-gravel
and a couple of rocks/slate. Two box filters either end of the
tank filtered the water. Temp. 82-84°F was maintained via
a pipe heater slung underneath the tank; this was connected
to a separate thermostat. Conductivity was 426µs.
On 06/01/2006 wrigglers appeared within the ceramic cave and
on 09/01/2006 the first of free swimming fry ventured out of
the cave. With the male fish still in the tank the female would
not allow him anywhere near the fry as she went into attack
when he ventured anywhere near the fry. So I removed him to
another tank, where he has remained ever since, as I did not
want any of the fry killed or even him.
Now 22/02/2006 the female + 70-100 fry ½ - ¾
inch fry swarm around the tank always looking for food. The
female still has black eyes & pelvic fins and when I peer
into the tank, makes attack towards the glass. The fry are fed
on microworm, Tetra Powder Fry food and crushed flake 2-4 times
daily.
Today 01/03 2006 the female fish seems to of lost interest
of her young, as they decide where they swim. So with cap in
hand I've removed the female to another tank. The youngsters
swim in a shoal always looking for food when I approach the
tank.
On 10/03/2006 I've re-introduced the male to the female's tank,
almost 2 months since I had to remove him. Also in the tank
is a young pair of Theraps lentiginosus and a female Sajica.
Immediately both Septemfascium showed signs of wanting to breed.
A water change was done with water being poured through a watering
can spout, imitating a tropical storm downpour. I in the past
I have found that this method has produced good results in getting
fish to breed.
Copyright. Not to be reprinted without author's written permission.
by Ian R.Fairweather
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