Redchin panchax
(Epiplatys dageti)

Breeding is easy for all aquarists. The fish are sexually mature at 5 months. The breeding period lasts 2 to 3 weeks, during which 10 to 20 eggs are laid per day. The water parameters for optimal reproduction are: temperature at 24/26°C (75/79°F) and pH at 6.5/7. Stimulate spawning by distributing live food in abundance and slightly increasing the temperature.

To maximize the breeding of your fish, prepare a small breeding aquarium of about 50L / 11 Imp Gal / 13 US Gal. Light is not obligatory but it is present, sieve it with floating plants. Introduce a lot of fine-leaved plants such as Java moss and mops floating on the surface. Finally, a small corner filter will ensure that the water is stirred.

You can either isolate 1 male for every 3 or 4 females in this aquarium and remove them after spawning, or remove the Java moss clumps or mops with eggs from the main tank as you spawn. Place the eggs in the rearing aquarium and keep them in the dark throughout the incubation period.

Hatching occurs 10 to 15 days after egg-laying. At birth, the young fry are already 1.5cm (0.4") long and generally remain close to the surface. There is predation between the fry: the larger fry will hunt the smaller ones. To avoid losses, sort your fry by size and distribute them in different aquariums. Overcrowding also prevents the proper development of your fry. Change the water up to 50% each week to keep a good quality (take advantage of this to siphon food leftovers to the bottom). Growth is rather fast and sexual dimorphism can appear as early as 8 weeks (males have red throats).

Fry food: infusoria, paracemia for 2 to 3 days then microwaves, artemia or cyclops nauplia, fry powder... Ideally, meals are distributed in several times throughout the day.