swords3711

I have two male variatus. One is a red tail black variatus and the other is a marigold variatus. They don't try to breed with the females in my tank although they are the same species. My marigold has a beautiful sail fin that I am trying to pass through but he won't breed with the female. (she doesn't have a sail.) Does this make a difference?

Chief_waterchanger

Shouldn't make a difference. Check his gonapodium, ensure it is not deformed/elongated. Does the female get bulky/wide around the abdominal area at all? If so they may be eatting the babies before you notice them. It is always a possibility that one is sterile. Perhaps a tranquilizer was used at some point of their shipping, or some natural disorder, just like some humans are born sterile. If you could post pictures, that may help.

swords3711

the male never even chases the female though. she has never gotten fat and ive had the pair since may. Ive had another variatus who chased one female but never the other that has stayed in the bowl with him

COBettaCouple

how old are they? what are the water conditions, temp, filtration and decor? how big is the tank and are those 3 the only fish in the tank?

swords3711

no i have many other fish.
the temp is at about an 80

COBettaCouple

the other fish may be affecting the breeding efforts.. what fish are they and how many?

swords3711

i do have quite a few mostly livebearers some tets and a danio

COBettaCouple

just the 1 Danio? does he nip much? they seem to be unruly a lot when not in groups of 6.

swords3711

i had 5 but one by one they wouldn't eat and just die off

COBettaCouple

it sounds like a water chemistry issue could be in play there.. what are the current ammonia, nitrate and nitrite readings?

swords3711

they are all usually at 0 the nitrate sometimes raises to .25 but no higher

COBettaCouple

hmm.. the only other thing i can think of is a pathogen living in the tank. how old is the tank? how big and what fish were in it when you had all the danios? what filter & aeration is there and how often do you water change now?

swords3711

the tank has been used for trop fish since may
35 gall mostly livebearers and tets
weekly water changes i have a stick bubbler and a whisper filter

COBettaCouple

yea, sounds like you're doing all the right stuff.. really weird problem to be having.. i'm still pretty new to this, so maybe one of the more knowledgeable members will know better.