Rhinogobius maxillivirgatus Breeding Log

[Angelphish]

I think Goby keeping is increasing but how demanding honestly don't know. I do know that decent lfs would probably except a few. I would call around and see if the lfs would be interested prior. If you don't have a problem shipping then that may get them moved faster. Also fish clubs are great for fry sells and swaps.

I was considering all of the above, but if I shipped them, there would have to be a decent amount of fish in each box, as I don't have a lot of boxes left over. I would have to find people who want at least 6-8, or do group orders...

 

[tlindsey]

I don't have a huge amount of money to invest right now, so I'll try to make a hatchery out of a bottle of some sort. How long do you typically need to wait before feeding the fry, and how long should I expect to wait for the brine shrimp to hatch? Should I just start the hatchery once they lay the eggs? Should I use a pipette the brine shrimp out, or would the salinity of the water affect the fry? Would it be better to use a net instead?

Start the batch a day or two before the fry are free swimming or darting around. I'm quite sure they will have an egg sac. Making your own Brine Shrimp Hatchery is fine buy a Brine Shrimp net. Make sure to buy hatching decapsulated Brine Shrimp Eggs. That will make things so much worry free of fry swallowing egg capsule.

 

[Angelphish]

I have had success with these hatcheries, from Brine Shrimp Direct.

I start one, one day, and another after two days, providing a constant supply, the artemia concentrate in the hole, and are easily strained out, with the manufacturers supplied strainer.


No need for aeration, any extra heat, just the little contraption.
After most are used up, I dump the leftovers into an outside container, and usually end up with a number of adult brine shrimp a week or so later.

By the way Nice work with the Rhinos, great fish to breed.

I'll definitely look into it, but I only have a budget of around $50-75 for this project... Hopefully once some start selling, I can invest in more professional equipment, assuming I get to that point.

 

[Angelphish]

Thank you guys for all the good info. I feel a lot more prepared to raise the fry now. Hopefully this works out.

 

[Angelphish]

Out of curiosity, would anyone be interested in buying one of these once I grow them out? Just trying to gauge interest.

 

[Schniz]

From what I've read about them seems like they stay pretty small. If a few would be ok in a 10g or 20g I would be interested.

 

[Angelphish]

From what I've read about them seems like they stay pretty small. If a few would be ok in a 10g or 20g I would be interested.

All three of mine are in my 16 gallon, and they seem content enough to breed in it, so a 10 or 20 should be perfect for ~4-6. Something to keep in mind is that they only eat frozen foods like blood worms and brine shrimp, but I may be able to get the fry on dry food...

 

[Angelphish]

I just recently found that my female Rhinogobius dropped her breeding tube, and the male started making nest for her to assess... Hopefully they'll lay eggs in a few days. The pH fluctuates throughout the day, as I dose co2, so it's about 7.4 before co2, and drops down to about 6.8 after it's been running for a while, and nitrates are about 20-30ppm. Given that, this fish clearly isn't picky about breeding... I think tds is at about ~400 last time I checked, but I'll test everything again once I get home, as most of this was from memory...
View attachment 1390322View attachment 1390319View attachment 1390318View attachment 1390317View attachment 1390316

Nitrates were at 20-30 ppm still, pH starts at 7.4 and drops to 6.8 after co2, and tds is 506 ppm. The co2 runs for about 11-13 hrs a day, so I'd estimate that they spend about half the at each pH.

 

[Angelphish]

I haven't noticed the pair swimming together today, and it seems like the females stomach is _ever so slightly_ less bulged, and her breeding tube seems to be retracted just a hair, though given that the differences are so small I could very well just be imagining it... Regardless, it gives me the slightest suspicion that they may have laid eggs last night or today while I was at school, and they got eaten. If I knew how long most fish kept their breeding tubes after laying eggs before it retracts, I'd be able to determine whether this is a valid concern, but there doesn't seem to be any information on it... Hopefully this isn't the case, and they just need more time.

@tlindsey I stopped by my lfs and picked up brine shrimp egg/salt mix, and a mesh breeder box, as it was all they had. Will this work, or should I still get an hob breeder box?

 

[tlindsey]

I haven't noticed the pair swimming together today, and it seems like the females stomach is _ever so slightly_ less bulged, and her breeding tube seems to be retracted just a hair, though given that the differences are so small I could very well just be imagining it... Regardless, it gives me the slightest suspicion that they may have laid eggs last night or today while I was at school, and they got eaten. If I knew how long most fish kept their breeding tubes after laying eggs before it retracts, I'd be able to determine whether this is a valid concern, but there doesn't seem to be any information on it... Hopefully this isn't the case, and they just need more time.

@tlindsey I stopped by my lfs and picked up brine shrimp egg/salt mix, and a mesh breeder box, as it was all they had. Will this work, or should I still get an hob breeder box?

The mesh breeder may not work if fry is tiny smaller than Guppy fry. Try to get the Marina Hatchery Box.