Golden Toppminnow Breeding Guide

Golden Topminnows are relatively easy to breed in captivity, especially compared to many other egg-laying surface dwellers. Their breeding behaviour is seasonal in the wild, often triggered by warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours—conditions that can be mimicked in a home aquarium.

Breeding Setup

To encourage spawning, set up a separate breeding tank with shallow water (15–25 cm depth), dense plant cover, and floating vegetation like hornwort or java moss. Mops made from acrylic yarn also work well as egg-laying sites. Slightly warmer water in the 24–26°C range and a stable photoperiod of 12–14 hours of light will help stimulate spawning.

Spawning Behaviour

Males will become more vibrant and start displaying around females with short chases and lateral posturing. Spawning typically takes place near the surface among vegetation or mops. Eggs are sticky and are laid singly or in small clusters.

Egg Care and Hatching

Adults may eat their own eggs, so remove them after spawning if you’re aiming for higher survival rates. Alternatively, collect the eggs and transfer them to a hatching container with gentle aeration. Eggs hatch in 7–10 days depending on temperature. Once hatched, fry can be fed infusoria or powdered fry food, followed by baby brine shrimp as they grow.

Tips

• Spawning can occur regularly if conditions are kept ideal.
• A well-conditioned pair can produce dozens of viable eggs over a few days.
• Keep fry in shallow water to help them feed and access the surface more easily.