Ornamental Fish Production and Management

9.2.3 Egg-scatterers

9.2.3 Spawning tank set up for egg- scatters

Because egg scatterers often eat their own eggs, the spawning tank has to be set-up so the eggs fall out of the reach of hungry parents. A 25-50 litre tank is sufficient for spawning of most egg scatterers. For egg scatterers like barbs and danios, which lay non-adhesive eggs, the spawning tank can be furnished with a substrate consisting of two layers of marbles or a nylon netting just above the tank floor. As the eggs are laid, they fall through the marbles or the netting out of the reach of the parents. After spawning is over, the eggs or the parents can be removed. For egg scatterers that lay adhesive eggs like tetras, the spawning tank should be furnished with a substrate. The tank should be planted with fine-leafed plants. The eggs are laid amongst plants, and adhere to the fine-leaves. The parents should be removed after spawning.