My Banggai Pair 4/28/2012

[Just Clownin Around]

Any luck

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

I know this sounds barberic but what I did was purchase 5 of them and let them pair off on there own. Unfortunately there were casualties this way but I was actually able to get two pairs out of the five

No that is not barbaric- I have read and heard of many doing that- it is natural- the fish will choose whom they choose- I have it a bit easier than doing that as our LFS (Bill :) ) can tell by the jawline - so it takes the guess work off my hands, lol! So far so good- I have ....mmmm... about three days of footage so far, lol, that I def have to narrow down to a snippet here and there. Got the dance on film, they are def ready to mate- the spawning..taking time. She looks heavy, and he is being power fed as much as he will take, but I am not sure just yet how many days between the dance.... to the actual egg transfer. So monitoring it closely. So far no eggs, that I know of. I don't think he would have ate them right away- but he is young, and maybe not ready yet? It is a waiting game right now. I will try and post something on youtube again- but there is alot of video to comb through, lol- so be patient :) One thing on a side note, lol- my xenia frag is doing GREAT! haha must be only due to the amount of heavy feeding- normally I can't keep xenia going at all, :) so happy about that. Definitely heavy feedings going on :)

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Any luck

Sorry- have not been on here over the weekend to post about my pair :)
Things are going..... that's about it for now, lol.

I am joking with others about the extent of this 'labor' lol- my female is a little diva and dragging it out a bit much, haha
I am eagerly awaiting the egg transfer. She is bottom heavy, with bi-color in the body, she is spending alot of time on the bottom floor- which is unusual for them. She hovers, and he comes by - they hover then go back to the upper part of the tank, but continue to swoop down in a specific spot, so I am thinking they have chosen this as their 'nest' spot- which is odd, as it is not their sleeping spot.

From what I am reading- omg reading so many articles, opinions, suggestions, lol- from what I am finding - they are acting out EVERY characteristic of each and every mating pair out there, lol. the dance, the female is the one who initiated it- and she stays strong, pursuing him - he finally gave in (hard to get doesn't work when you are trying to make babaies, lol) So now they on the right path- just need to watch for it, as I was really wanting to get the transfer on film. I am watching him closely as well - as he is stretching out his mouth more, yawning here and there, and with each feeding- he looks 'bulkier' if that makes sense- his jaw is taking on a more squared off, bulbous look - so hoping that means he knows it's coming, lol

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Pair is doing well- still no show of eggs in male's mouth- so hoping she hasn't released yet, and he or she hasn't eaten them... will keep you tuned when eggs are present :)

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Update:yes, she laid, he was doing well, he got spooked by something- and either ate them-or spit them out- but no sign of the egg mass in the tank- anywhere. So we are back to waiting for another clutch:) Stay tuned.
(btw- I don't get on here as much as the other forums- so feel free to keep tabs on my youtube videos- I always try to update my journals by video)
Have a great weekend everyone. :)

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

(youtube: Volitans2007)
Banggai Journal - Day 2 - YouTube

 

[uall8up]

Sorry to hear about the egg loss. But, I am happy they are mating. So funny, my pair is doing the exact same thing you have described. Maybe some babies in my future?? Good luck!!!

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

I have come to find out that if the clutch is a significantly small one- the male will most likely eat the eggs. And this being their first, it was small. So I am powerfeeding - and watching for those adorable chubby cheeks to one again present me with a smile full of eggs, lol

Stay tuned .....

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Banggai Pair - Snack Time! - YouTube
[video=youtube;N_CZfNF0XZA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_CZfNF0XZA&list=UUHVW8lZnpgDbDMC0U1xMPJA& index=1&feature=plcp[/video]

 

[Jeppun21]

I have a pair of banggai's cardinals in my 30 gallon.. Will be following this thread.. Hopefully mine will breed also

 

[3Twinklets]

Those are so pretty. I was looking at some at Live Aquaria today. I would also like to know if they get persnickity!

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Persnickity being 'fussy'- mmm... yeah I would say that would describe them. lol

A fellow breeder on another site described his pair as :

"Ime, Banggai are just finicky. They seem to go on hunger strikes on occasion. They are strange fish...sometimes they are gluttonous, other times they are anorexic. I find them frustrating. I've also found that the male seems to stop eating the day before they spawn which is annoying because all I want to do is stuff his face in preparation"

Which I thought was exactly on point with what I was seeing and wanting to do- I was powerfeeding, but the male had stopped eating- so I am now using that as a tell tale as to when the next spawn will be :) They are really cool fish to have - whether you have one, a pair, or a school of them in a large tank- they are fun to watch.

 

[Cooper32803]

Agreed! I miss my banggai.. :(

 

[3Twinklets]

Well now I am jealous, so I just ordered a pair!

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

lol- ok well then you will have to post pics when they are settled in their new home :)
And Steven.... are you looking to get another? Or ...not at this time?

 

[3Twinklets]

Well mine must be a pair because they are staying together. They sure are little and cute! Found a home for the monster serpent star so I am not as worried about adding more fish now.

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Cool Wendy - sounds great :) Can't wait to see them :)

I am uploading a video right now- not the best footage...
because I was trying not to get too close to the tank, but I will add another once I verify 100% the male is holding again. :)

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Well- so far he is doing a REAL good job of hiding in the caulerpa- I get an occasional tail shot or one eyeball looking at me, lol, but no front facial shot for pictures yet, lol

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Update 8/11/2012

[video=youtube_share;Rab7RRJWrhs]http://youtu.be/Rab7RRJWrhs[/video]


So far the male is doing a good job of hiding, and the female is guarding him- she is always close by...even if you can't see her lol :)
He is becoming darker... which worries me abit, but I will let him be and continue to watch him.

 

[Chelle's Ocean]

Why when I add info/edit the wording does my video then become 'unavailable' ?