Pets Information


Breeding Tetra Fish Successfully


If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding tetras, even if unknowingly. In the wild, tetras normally breed during the rainy season, but in the aquarium, they may breed year round. Female tetras are egg-scatters that typically fill with eggs every ten to fourteen days.

The female tetra indiscriminately sprays her eggs into clumps of fine-leaved plants. The eggs are adhesive and stick to the plants. However, tetras as well as other tank mates often find tetra eggs and small fry an irresistible delicacy.

If breeding tetras is your goal in keeping them, the best thing to do is to separate males and females. This allows you to keep control of breeding and improves your chance of achieving a successful hatch of fry. Smaller species of female tetras become sexually active at nine to twelve months old with larger species ready to breed at 1 ˝ to 2 years of age.

Male tetras are generally a month or two older than females for successful spawning to take place.

Males are typically slimmer and more colorful than their female companions are. When viewed from above, the female tetra is distinguishably plumper and rounder because of the build-up of eggs within her body.

Two weeks before breeding tetras, separate males and females within the same tank. This is done simply by putting a clear divider between them, which not only gives you control of breeding but also stimulates spawning behavior since the fish are kept within sight of each other. Breeding tetras is also encouraged during the pre-spawn period by feeding them with high-quality live foods.

When ready to breed tetras, you'll get the best results by using a separate breeding tank, prepared with a peat filter and clean, aged water in which clumps of fine-leaved plants have been strategically placed. Three ways to complete your tank for breeding tetras are:

  • Drape the tank with nylon netting to allow the eggs to fall to the tank floor away from hungry adults.
  • Cover the tank floor with marbles to hide the eggs and protect them from cannibalism.
  • Plant fine-leaved plants or artificial spawning mops in seed trays filled with coarse gravel to trap the eggs and prevent them from being eaten.
  • Females should be placed in the breeding tank earlier than the males, usually the night before breeding. In addition to allowing her to settle in, it also puts the male in the position of having to court her on her own turf. This technique can deter any aggressive tendencies he may display. After introducing the male to the breeding tank, it's best to watch his introductory moves.

    Males often show aggressive behavior during spawning. If the male attacks a female, remove her and re-separate the pair. Another female can be tried or alternatively, two to three females can be introduced to the breeding tank to keep the male from focusing his attention on only one. Remove adult fish from the breeding tank immediately after breeding tetras.

    If you are interested in Tetra Fish, on our site we have a free e-book available about these wonderful creatures.

    Linda is author of Tetra Fish and Cichilds at aquarium-guides.com


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Care2.com

    Pampered Pet Business Booms in US
    Voice of America
    February 07, 2012 Pampered Pet Business Booms in US Americans spent $50 billion on their animals in 2011 Deborah Block | Fairfax County, Virginia At “A Dog's Day Out” in Alexandria, Virginia, people bring in their dogs to stay either for the day or ...
    Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
    Winterize Your Pet With the Royal TreatmentHuffington Post
    Most American Pets are Too FatCare2.com

    all 17 news articles »


    Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)
    MarketWatch (press release)
    BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb 07, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Delta Society(R), one of the world's oldest and largest human-animal interaction organizations, is now Pet Partners(R). The renaming is part of the organization's new brand strategy to achieve greater ...
    Delta Society® Is Now Pet Partners®Business Wire (press release)

    all 4 news articles »


    Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year Award Winner New York's Hotel Pennsylvania ...
    MarketWatch (press release)
    7, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As the 2012 Pet Friendly Hotel of the Year award winner and host hotel for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New York's Hotel Pennsylvania has become the only hotel to stay at for the Westminster Dog Show.
    Purely Products to Sponsor VIP Pet Bags and Allergy-Free Home Makeovers at the ...Business Wire (press release)

    all 10 news articles »


    ChicagoNow (blog)

    Pet Food Product Recalls, U.S. Senator Expresses Concerns
    ChicagoNow (blog)
    At a news conference on February 6 in Cleveland, Brown was joined by Kevin Thaxton, whose 10 year-old pug, Chancey, passed away unexpectedly after eating chicken jerky pet treats. But Thaxton didn't know why his dog died at that time and fed the same ...
    Northeast Ohio pet owners want fast FDA action on pet treats from ChinaPlain Dealer
    Concerns about potentially tainted pet treatsWTAM.com
    Brown, Kucinich Seek FDA Action to Protect Dogs From 'Tainted' TreatsCleveland News - Fox 8

    all 5 news articles »


    French Tribune

    A Bite as Healthy as Their Bark
    Wall Street Journal
    By LAURA JOHANNES Pet dental health, largely ignored by many owners, is moving into the spotlight. Many veterinarians are recommending you brush your pet's teeth, daily, just as you do your own. A wide array of "dental care kits" for cats and dogs are ...
    Time to Brush Up! Petplan Pet Insurance Provides Toothy Tips Just in Time for ...San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
    Pet Dental Health Under the Spotlight in the USACosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)

    all 64 news articles »


    BBC News

    Godmanchester pet charity celebrates rehoming 'first'
    BBC News
    The Paw 2 Door scheme allows owners to keep their pets at home until the charity finds them new, vetted owners. Wood Green ensures the animal has up-to-date vaccinations, is neutered, microchipped and has a month's worth of veterinary insurance.



    Critter Cleaners, All Pet Pantry Open on State Street
    Patch.com
    The pet grooming business and feed store now share a space at 1120 State St. in the Chipain's Shopping Plaza. By Amanda Luevano Critter Cleaners, the pet grooming business formerly located in downtown Lemont, opened its doors at a new location on State ...

    and more »


    BellaDOG Magazine

    National Pet Day - April 11th {Pet Day USA}
    BellaDOG Magazine
    National Pet Day was created by Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Advocate Colleen Paige, who also founded National Dog Day and National Cat Day {among others} and sponsored by the Animal Miracle Network, to celebrate the joy pets bring to our ...
    Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless AnimalsMarketWatch (press release)
    Pets for adoption Feb. 5Greenville Daily Reflector
    Homeless Pet ClubsPatch.com

    all 11 news articles »


    ESPN

    Pillow Pets, sleep cams and bus rides
    ESPN
    Michelle Smith Pillow Pets make great traveling companions. Toni Kokenis (tiger), Nneka Ogwumike (bunny), Lindy La Rocque (panda) and Chiney Ogwumike (turtle) show off theirs. This season, espnW is spending time with the Stanford Cardinal and Hall of ...



    ABC Action News

    Detectives: Animal Control worker confesses to stealing money from homeless ...
    ABC Action News
    Authorities arrested an Animal Control officer on Monday for allegedly stealing money from a donation box for homeless pets and taking other items donated to Polk County Animal Control. For the past six months, Benjamin Derrick, 21, of Fort Meade has ...
    Polk County Sheriff's Animal Control Officer Benjamin Derrick arrested for ...WTSP 10 News
    Deputies: Animal control officer stole from homeless petsMyFox Tampa Bay
    Animal Control Officer Accused of Stealing From Donation BoxThe Ledger
    WKMG Orlando
    all 11 news articles »

    Google News

    home | site map
    © 2007