Breeding WC Moba Zaire Frontosa

[Jesseliu13]

About 5 months ago I happened to get my hands on a good friend of mine's Group of frontosa. It had 2 males and 4 females. They are almost 5 years old now and ive been trying to get This group to breed. Ive done research looking for ways to help stimulate the breeding but the nothing seemed to work. So last week i got another trio to add to the group. So currently my count is at 3 Males and 6 Females. All fish were vented.

anyone have any ideas and suggestions? also the parameters of what the water should be?

Currently i have them in a 125. I plan on moving them to my 180 once i fix a popped seal. Water parameters are at 7.8 ph and i add epsom salt for hardness. 1 tbs per 10 gallons. Water temperature is at 78.

They are not as skittish they once were before i had added the trio, but i dont see any kind of activity in them at all. All they do is eat and hide. the Alpha male is probably close to 9-10 inches. smallest female is probably around 5 inches. I cant even seem to trigger them by colder and bigger water changes.

Any suggestions please let me know.

 

[FishEZ]

I don't have experience with those fish, but you might take note of the water parameters and also be careful about too much lighting. Location of tank? Why are they ALWAYS hiding? I know they like to take cover, but once settled, they should feel good about their surroundings. I'm sure there's a lot of experienced folks out there who can offer their suggestions.

 

[punman]

I have had frontosas three times in my life.
The first time, tank raised mpimbwes. Had them two years. They spawned a couple times. The adults were not of the best quality. Eventually I sold them and moved on to something else.

Four years later bought someone's WC kapampa group that I was told was breeding. I paid a lot of money and after 1.5 years still not one spawn in a 135 gallon. That tank was at a high school where I was teaching at the time. Kids suggested playing Barry Manilow, covering the tank, and adding Viagra to the water! Sold them and went back to Malawi so the students could see fry.

Two years ago I bought five wild caught mpimbwe ranging from 4 to 6 inches. Had them in a 135 but at home. In two months they spawned! I did not do anything different than what I did with the kapampas. Same food, same water changes so who knows?! They do seem quite skittish but recently I put four juveniles in with them and they seem bolder now as the fry were never skittish.

Bottom line - it is hard to say why things work or not. I feed NLS and North Fin. PH is around 8. One-third water changes every ten days. No additives. No other species of fish in there.

I think there have been 17 spawns between the three females. Half the time the eggs are gone within three days so maybe there is till some learning going on. I am enjoying it all. Adults are now 7-11 inches in length.

 

[FishEZ]

Very nice. Only thing missing is a photo of these nice fish you describe. I would love to see them.

 

[punman]

Okay - usually use my DSLR but feeling lazy so here is one from the cell phone:

 

[FishEZ]

Cell phone is good. Thanks. very nice!!!

 

[punman]

Hey-I just got another spawn! Here is a pic of the dominant male in his majesty and another shot where you can see the female with a mouthful of eggs.

 

[FishEZ]

Wow! awesome. and yes the photos are majestic.

 

[joe jaskot]

What are you feeding your frontosa? Try increasing the protein content of your food. You could feed live or frozen. Earthworms are a very good food to condition your fish. Any non oily fish fillet can also be fed as well as shrimp, and squid.

 

[Eatsomekiwis]

I have bred WC Kitumba, Moba, and Mikula.

Water temps should be 75-77
Feed once every other day what you normally feed, mine were on pellets. Twice a week they got a meal of raw shrimp. Keep your water chemistry constant, don’t buff the water. That’s where most people make mistakes, they try to raise PH and it’s hard to replicate every water change. Mine bred in straight 7ph tap.

I was getting spawns every week or 2 from my fish