🐠 Breeding
Breeding Process
The Chile Rasbora, a moderately hardy and uncommon species, is not frequently bred in captivity. However, with the right conditions, breeding these fish can be achieved. To initiate breeding, it is crucial to mimic their natural, peaceful surroundings. Start by setting up a separate breeding tank with a slightly acidic to neutral pH ranging from 6 to 7.5, and a stable temperature between 22°C and 28°C. Providing a heavily planted environment with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops will give the fish a secure place to deposit their eggs.
Once the tank conditions are set, introduce a group of Chili Rasboras, ideally with a higher ratio of females to males, to increase the chances of successful spawning. Males may exhibit vibrant coloration when ready to breed. After the introduction, the fish will typically scatter their eggs throughout the tank, primarily amongst the plants.
Care of the Fry
After eggs are laid, it is important to remove the adult fish from the breeding tank to prevent them from preying on the eggs and fry. The eggs will hatch in about 24 to 36 hours. The fry will become free-swimming 3 to 4 days after hatching, at which point they should be fed infusoria or commercially available liquid fry food.
As the fry grow, transition to feeding them micro worms or newly hatched brine shrimp. Gradually increase the size of the food as the fry develop further. The key to raising healthy fry is maintaining clean water, so perform regular water changes and monitor the water parameters closely.
Additional Considerations
Since Chili Rasboras are very peaceful and exhibit no change in behavior during breeding, the process is relatively calm. However, the breeding tank should remain undisturbed during spawning to prevent stress on the fish, ensuring they feel safe enough to lay eggs. Remember to keep lighting subdued to mimic their natural environment and reduce stress levels.