I have just been browsing around in here, mainly so see if i can work out whether my fish are girls or boys, and i've decided one of each (same way round as i named them ) but i also looked at the spawning video, beautiful fish, and thats what my fish are doing. I also think Jen is getting fatter and Berry has those white breeding spots.

Does this mean they WILL breed, or not? I don't really have room for babies but know i couldn't get rid of them . So if this is going to happen i want to be prepared.

Are there any other signs to look for?

Thanks,

Rachel

If they will breed, is completely up to them, Rachel. But if you see the first signs of chasing one another, then it sounds like they are getting there.
If you don't want babies, all you have to do is - nothing! The parents will eat any eggs if they are not taken out, so let nature take its course.

I don't think i could do that how long after they start chasing each other might they breed? they don't chase all the time so perhaps they are just practising!

There are a few things that can trigger chasing - change in temperature, heavier feedings, even change of weather if the fish are kept outside. Sometimes its the simple introduction of a new fish, or a new home for the fish alltogether, that triggers it. Its just the time of year, and "spring is in the air"....
How long after chasing? Well, that depends on the fish, and if its a young one or an mature one, and if the female's eggs are ready. It ends with the female expelling her eggs, and the male fertilizing them with milt.
Try lowering the tank temperatures a little bit, 1-2 degrees are normally enough, that should stop them. Lower temperatures tricks them into the feeling of cooler season, and thats usually not the time they are spawning. If nothing else helps, separating them might be your only chance - putting a divider in the tank, male on one side, female on the other....

So the move to a larger tank and a new heater are probably the reason then I'll just leave them and see what happens

My fish started spawning when they came inside, they were in a cold pond before.
I never saw any eggs the first time, after a couple of days I saw small fry hanging on the glass...
They spawn from the first morning light until noon. My fish spawn every 3 weeks.

see any eggs yet?

None yet, wondering if Jen is just getting fat. Can't decide if i want to see eggs or not, lol. Would be really cool but i so don't have room for them. Hope i haven't missed the eggs and they've eaten them although i did clean the tank out well on sunday and there weren't any eggs then. I'll let you know if there are any more developments.

How are your fry doing? Hope they are ok,

Rachel

Believe me,if ever you find eggs,you'd definitely want to raise them or at least I did Good Luck

I lost one fry yesterday(17 week old) made me so sad after all these months that I raised him.I only have 3 left now and I'm hoping they survive.

Oh if i find eggs i will try my best to raise them, i just think at the moment it would be easier not to find them, at least for a few months til things have settled down.

I like the name of your new fish, it really suits him,

Rachel

Thank you

Well if you really don't want eggs at the time,take Andreas' advice and lower the tank temp gradually.That would most probably make them stop spawning

Ok, well Berry has taken to chasing Jen again, and they keep both jamming themselves in the corner or a bunch of plants together. I haven't seen any eggs yet but Jen looks a little stressed and they have both managed to tear their fins so should i just leave them to it and it'll stop once there are eggs or is Jen not ready and i need to do something? Don't know what, perhaps separate them, but i only have one tank I've just given them a little food and it seems to have taken their mind off it! lol Don't know how long that will last tho.

Help!?

Thanks,

Rachel

If you think this is stressing Jen too much,it would be better to separate them.I've heard that the male could stress the female to the point that they'll grow very weak and some even die Have you lowered your tank temp?Maybe you should get one of those tank dividers so that you could separate them I'm sorry I can't be much help.

I'll lower the temp slightly later when i do a water change. She doesn't look stressed at the moment but i'll do something if it gets that bad. Berry is just following her from one end of the tank to the other then giving up, think he's getting the message... maybe.

Good luck and keep us posted