How hard is it to breed these?

We always see the same types of breeders. A lot of the time it starts out with people learning from breeding mollies (which I am in the process of deciding on). But really, how hard is it to breed things like the red tailed shark, rainbow shark, etc.? I'm curious about the more difficult fish in general.

I know these guys can get big, but the goal is to breed them and donate them to some people who may want them.

I really am just curious how much it takes to breed one of these guys, how long it may take, and what may have to go into it.

 

As far as I'm aware there have been no reports of red tail or rainbow sharks breeding in aquariums.
I remember reading an article quite a while back saying how they use hormones to breed them for the trade, if I ever find it again I'll post the link.

 

Those species don't get that big, and donating larger fish is harder than you think. They're often sold very cheaply at stores, and there are often people trying to give large fish away one they realize it's going to outgrow their tank.

Were there other species you were interested in breeding? Killifish may be a good group to try.

 

Those species don't get that big, and donating larger fish is harder than you think. They're often sold very cheaply at stores, and there are often people trying to give large fish away one they realize it's going to outgrow their tank.

Were there other species you were interested in breeding? Killifish may be a good group to try.

As Texasdomer once told me it encourages lfs to stock more of these large fish most tanks can't handle..

I used to raise common plecos and trade them or sell them once they got larger. If you plan to do that you should locate a good donation source FIRST pr you will get stuck in a tough spot. I since stopped. As a wise woman once told me "there is nothing good about doing that" quote might be off but that wise woman will get the idea when she reads it lol. Anyhow- sharks aren't easy to breed and are actually quite territorial. We once had one who even attacked his reflection. And they get big!

 

Actually, there are a few reports of Red Tail sharks spawning in aquaria without hormone stimulation. Very rare, and details limited as they occurred on the wrong side of the "Iron Curtain" back in the days of the Cold War. The problem is that we have so little actual data on their habitats and natural behavior. Red Tails were nearly extinct in the wild from aquarium collecting, though a surviving population was located not too long ago. It is now protected. For commercial breeding they are now injected to both stimulate egg production and to trigger spawning. All Red Tail sharks in aquaria have been produced in this manner.

I'm told it is not that difficult to inject fish, and the substances used can be purchased online. However, nothing is learned about the natural behavior of the fish, so I have no interest in it. A recent program I saw on natural breeding vs. hormone breeding of KuhlI Loaches explained why they do it - it's a lot easier than simulating their natural cycles in an aquarium. Usually more productive, as well. Yet people do accidentally provide the right conditions every once in a great while, and find baby Kuhlis in their tanks.

So there are good reasons why certain common aquarium fish are rarely bred in the home aquarium. However, it pays to do the research and find out why. Who knows, you may someday find a solution that no one else thought of.

 

Those species don't get that big, and donating larger fish is harder than you think. They're often sold very cheaply at stores, and there are often people trying to give large fish away one they realize it's going to outgrow their tank.

Were there other species you were interested in breeding? Killifish may be a good group to try.

I know nothing about killifish! I will look into them for sure. I don't want to get anything that may get too territorial or too large.

As Texasdomer once told me it encourages lfs to stock more of these large fish most tanks can't handle..

I used to raise common plecos and trade them or sell them once they got larger. If you plan to do that you should locate a good donation source FIRST pr you will get stuck in a tough spot. I since stopped. As a wise woman once told me "there is nothing good about doing that" quote might be off but that wise woman will get the idea when she reads it lol. Anyhow- sharks aren't easy to breed and are actually quite territorial. We once had one who even attacked his reflection. And they get big!

I really don't want to get in a necessarily bad spot with these. I know exactly what you're saying. It wasn't really the big fish-style that I was going for, more so the difficulty in pairing mates and the challenge of maintaining the proper conditions. I have kept fish in the past, but I am just recently starting up new tanks again and I have been through the ringer on things I've forgotten. This wouldn't be something I would be doing any time soon, but it never hurts to plan way ahead as so much more knowledge can be found. Thanks for the reply!

Actually, there are a few reports of Red Tail sharks spawning in aquaria without hormone stimulation. Very rare, and details limited as they occurred on the wrong side of the "Iron Curtain" back in the days of the Cold War. The problem is that we have so little actual data on their habitats and natural behavior. Red Tails were nearly extinct in the wild from aquarium collecting, though a surviving population was located not too long ago. It is now protected. For commercial breeding they are now injected to both stimulate egg production and to trigger spawning. All Red Tail sharks in aquaria have been produced in this manner.

I'm told it is not that difficult to inject fish, and the substances used can be purchased online. However, nothing is learned about the natural behavior of the fish, so I have no interest in it. A recent program I saw on natural breeding vs. hormone breeding of KuhlI Loaches explained why they do it - it's a lot easier than simulating their natural cycles in an aquarium. Usually more productive, as well. Yet people do accidentally provide the right conditions every once in a great while, and find baby Kuhlis in their tanks.

So there are good reasons why certain common aquarium fish are rarely bred in the home aquarium. However, it pays to do the research and find out why. Who knows, you may someday find a solution that no one else thought of.

That is pretty interesting information. I just love that fish. The RTS is such an active fish and it's interesting that it has become so endangered. I get that it may have to have strict water conditions, and maybe it's territorial nature has forced it to be that way, but it's really sad. I too have no interest in injecting. That would only be useful to me if I was running a business, but I am really just looking for the knowledge and to learn. I love the educational aspect of all of this! Thanks for all the background knowledge on the subject!

 

There are many killI species available, and they range in breeding difficulty from easy to hard, so it may be a good place to get started!