A maternal mouthbrooder that pairs after a long courtship, mainly September to early November when surface water exceeds 20-23 °C. The female broods the eggs and later releases and recalls the fry. Bred on some Australian fish farms in outdoor earth ponds; rarely in aquaria.
Raise a group; pair forms naturally.
A big heated pond with a cover.
Longer day length and warm temperatures.
Clutches of about 30-180 (Native Fish Australia: 70-200) large eggs, about 10 mm across, brooded by the female. They hatch in 10-14 days and the young stay in her mouth another 4-5 weeks, becoming independent at 3.5-4 cm.
Fry grow on live foods then pellets.
One breeding tank for the spotted saratoga, drawn to scale from the breeding guide.
Water: 24–30 °C · pH 6.8–7.5
A plan from the breeding guide and an adult size of 100 cm. Tank shape is a standard 2 : 1 : 1.2 box, at least 6 adult lengths long. Check each step in the guide above.
A row of tanks on their own stands for breeding the spotted saratoga in numbers.
In total: 3 tanks, about 3,240 L of water. A litre of water weighs about 1 kg, so check that the floor and rack can take the weight.
Sizes are worked out from the breeding tank in the guide. Tanks fit a standard 120 cm rack when they can; bigger tanks go on their own stands.
Females are slightly deeper-bodied; brooding females show a conspicuous white chin. Otherwise hard to sex.
Typical for mouthbrooders
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
The female takes the eggs into her mouth and stops eating.
After about 3 weeks the female releases fully formed fry. Many breeders move her to a quiet tank first.
Fry eat crushed flake and baby brine shrimp straight away.
Fry are a few centimetres long after about 3 months.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Usually one male with several females. Feed high-quality food.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.