hello everyone, im interested in breeding my redcap orandas. i have 1 male and 1 female very good bodies and nice wens. my male is still young though but i know my female has had eggs before and shes ready to breed. whats the right size or age for my male to consider breeding him to her? hes just about 3 inches including tail. ive noticed little bredding stars on his pectorial fins already. none on his gill coverings though. when he is ready id like to put them into a cycled tub and breed them. any suggestions? i just would love to have fry from both redcaps. they would have very nice fry i think.

If she is dropping eggs, and he is interested, then they are ready. Since he already has breeding stars - he is ready. (Oranda often do not have obvious breeding stars on their "cheeks" - the wen can obscure them)

Do not mistake a "gentlemanly approach" to the breeding as not being interested or not getting the job done. Most of my big fellows are so gentle and laid back I have easily mistaken their actions for lack of interest. That has NOT proved to be true. They have gotten the job done quietly and efficiantly.

Go for it. Fry are fun.

ok thats what i'll do then. im going to be getting a large 20 gallon tub and ill put them in there and see what happends. also i was wandering how often to change water in that tub? of course im going to be adding cycled water to it when i set it up:)

If you wait until she is actually dropping eggs, you can pull them out of their respective tanks and put them into the prepared tub. Once she is done - usually an hour or less - just place them back in their tanks. I usually then drain the spawning tub down to just a 1/2 inch of water or less and refill it with nice, clean water. Set up your heater and sponge filter going - to season - and wait for the fry to hatch.

If you have both parents in a tank you do not wish to raise fry in, simply place a spawning mat - a mat of plastic plants if you wish - on the bottom of their tank. When she is done - remove the mat. I rinse it gently in prepared water and place it in it's separate tank - for hatching.

When two fish spawn, they make a mess of the water parameters. Either way you do it, you should clean the water they use to spawn in.

A fry tank, if started out with fresh water will need to be watched carefully. They have a tendency to go to ammonia as the fry hatch out. Careful water changes and all will keep it under control - and then the sponge filter will kick in and the beneficial bacteria will grow as the fry grow.

thanks you so much for the help.. i'll keep you guys posted on the breeding. im still not to sure who the daddy is of my oranda fry jelly bean i have an idea though cuz i have a male thats pretty naughty he he

How is everything now? /
Have they breeded?

no im still waiting maybe if i turn on some light music and dim the lights?