Can Rainbow Sharks Reproduce in Captivity? 5/15/10
Hi,
<Hello,>
I have emailed you a couple years ago with an Angelfish question (Neil) and you were so CORRECT and the Best advice. So thanks!!!!! I have another unusual question that could use some expert advice. I have had just one 40 gallon tank same fish nothing new added for 7 years. The only fish remaining now are 2 rainbow sharks. They have gotten along all this time (I believe) due to cave space and fake plants.
<Yep.>
I think they are spawning???? Now?
<Possibly. Epalzeorhynchos frenatus has been bred in captivity, but very rarely, and seemingly only ever by accident.>
They both have a whitish covering over their genitals?
<Around the vent? Interesting. Usually fish don't produce anything visible that sticks to their bodies after spawning. But since no-one has watched Rainbow Sharks spawning, or at least no-one has written about them spawning in the books I have, who knows what happens with them? To be safe, I'd watch them, and be sensitive to the idea something else might be happening, like an infection, and act accordingly.>
Normally in the course of the day the larger one will take to the cave and the smaller one hides in the fake plants. The larger one will harass the smaller one at feeding but it has worked out for these 7 years and it
appears the smaller one is not too stressed. Now there are white bubbles all over the front of the glass of the aquarium. I thought the smaller one was dying just because she was not acting normally. Not Normally means the smaller one (I always assumed was female) rests mostly horizontal but now her placement is unusual.. not that she is floating or rolling (I think sick trends) but just different angles. What do you think?
<Difficult to say. Aquarium spawning is so extremely rare with this species that other explanations must be considered. Fish can change their swim patterns for a variety of reasons, some good, some bad. Bubbles in aquarium can be there because of photosynthesis or changes to the filtration system, but they can also indicate higher than normal water temperature or gases produced by decay of various sorts. So again, be open minded. Without a photo of the "odd" fish, I can't be any more specific that this.>
Nothing else has changed. Weekly water changes PH okay temp same. The last fish to die was a goldfish around a year ago. Could they be comfortable spawning now?
<Perhaps.>
Or is there just bubbles on the tank that I haven't seen before? They both are pretty old at this point. What do you think?
<Don't know.>
Thanks so much. I have had such problems and worries in the past and you guys are SO informative!
Julie
<Glad to have helped. Cheers, Neale.>

International aquarium keeping Hi dear Anthony, How are you my friend? <very good my friend. I hope all is well with you too> Thank you for your help , I do your order and I have Mollie's babies, <I am so glad to hear it! It is a beautiful marvel of nature to see> I want to know How can I identify male and female in shark? How can I get the babies of them? how them reproduce? <most freshwater "sharks" are very difficult to tell their gender. In fact, nearly impossible to distinguish for most aquarists. Furthermore, they do not reproduce naturally in smaller aquariums (even larger aquariums!). They are bred commercially in large pools in Florida and Asia with the help of hormone injections. Alas, they are very unlikely to reproduce in our aquariums. You are best to stay with livebearing fishes like mollies, platys, swordtails and guppies for fun with reproducing fishes> please write me anything a bout shark, Thank you your sincerely Nader <with kind regards, Anthony>

Bala Shark in heat? <Hello!  Ryan with you> I am sure this sounds a little silly. I am pretty sure the 2 Bala sharks in the aquarium were mating. They were swimming "together" shall we say for a few moments. Then the one shark swam away faster than I have ever seen that shark swim. That was it. I guess that's pretty obvious, but I just wanted to be sure. Also I would like to know some signs that they are mating and about how long I have until I should start expecting eggs, how to care for the babies, etc.. Thank You.   <Bala sharks are a great addition to the aquarium, where their antics are often enjoyed.  This is typical of Balas, and does not guarantee offspring.  It's like assuming you'll "breed" with every woman you've ever bought a drink!  Balas won't breed until they're at least 3-4 inches (more like a foot RMF).  Also, they're egg-scatterers.  If there are any hungry mouths in the tank, those eggs are long gone.  Your best chance for successful breeding is to separate them from the group, and feed them a high protein diet in conjunction with %25 weekly water changes.  Good luck! Ryan>

Bala Sharks  I have somehow paired up a loving pair of Bala Sharks. They really haven't had anything to do with each other, so I thought they must be females. But today, the are swimming, rubbing and everything in between! I've read about 100 internet pages about Bala  Sharks and 50 say they can be bred in captivity and 50 say they can't. Some said they have to be a certain age. Both are about five inches, and young, they were added to the tank about two weeks ago. I don't know what to think, they are my first set of Balas. If she will be pregnant, will you please email me with any info on the gestation and signs?  <<Hi, I'm sorry, I have NO idea. Maybe someone else on the crew can help? -Gwen>> >>Marina will be looking into it within the next few days.  These fish aren't "young" if they're already 5" long.  Check ya!  Marina

Amorous Bala Sharks - Marina's Reply >I have somehow paired up a loving pair of Bala Sharks. They really haven't had anything to do with each other, so I thought they must be females. But today, they are swimming, rubbing and everything in between! I've read about 100 internet pages about Bala Sharks and 50 say they can be bred in captivity and 50 say they can't. Some said they have to be a certain age. Both are about five inches, and young, they were added to the tank about two weeks ago. I don't know what to think, they are my first set of Balas. If she will be pregnant, will you please email me with any info on the gestation and signs? >>Ok, first, a Bala shark (a type of barb, minnow, or carp - Balantiocheilos melanopterus) that is 5" long is a "young" fish, but is at least approaching sexual maturity. If you can, take note of your water conditions, as this will be important in future. My guess is that their addition to your system two weeks ago simulated the right type of water condition changes to stimulate breeding. They are an egg laying species, which means the female can become full of eggs, but they are only fertilized externally from her body. They are considered to be endangered in their native waters. I would take the present information regarding breeding of other barbs (along with fry rearing techniques) and apply that here. As you've discovered, there isn't much published on breeding this particular fish. This means that if you keep good notations, you could add significantly to the database for this fish. Here's a place to start: http://www.adelaideaquariums.com.au/Faqs/freshwater/fish/cyprinids2.asp  http://fish.mongabay.com/cyprinds.htm  Quite literally, video, photographic, as well as written documentation of breeding overtures and final behavior is helpful. Marina

Minnow full of eggs? Dear Bob  my shark has laid her eggs how long should it typically take for  them to hatch ??? she has black tipped fins  I bought her pregnant that night she laid her eggs hope you can help me thank you for your time. <Mmm, is this a "minnow shark?". Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/minnowshks.htm and learn how to use your spelling and grammar checkers... Bob Fenner> how long does it take for shark eggs to hatch??? And what should I be looking for if and when they do thank you for your time