Egg-scattering continuous spawner with no parental care. Eggs are laid among fine-leaved plants or java moss; for a planned spawn use a small, dimly lit tank with soft, acidic water (pH 5.0-6.5, 1-5 dGH) and remove the adults after a couple of days, as they will eat eggs.
Keep a group of 8-10 and condition them on live and frozen foods; pairs form on their own in the group.
10-20 L bare tank with soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5), dense java moss or fine-leaved plants, dim light and a sponge filter on very gentle flow.
Soft acidic water, small cool water changes and plenty of live food; a dim, planted tank with morning light.
A continuous spawner: when in condition, small numbers of eggs are laid every day rather than one large batch. Eggs hatch by about the second day and the fry live on their yolk sacs for about another 24 hours.
Rotifers or infusoria for 3-5 days, then newly hatched brine shrimp.
Males are more intensely coloured, with red and black in the dorsal and anal fins, and the first dark blotch on each flank is much larger in males (an upright oval) than in females (a small round spot). Mature females are rounder-bellied and often a little larger.
Typical for egg scatterers
Feed live or frozen food twice a day. Keep males and females apart if you can.
Eggs are scattered over mops or fine plants, often at first light. Remove the parents straight after.
Most eggs hatch in 1–2 days. Keep the tank dim and remove white (fungused) eggs.
Fry use up the yolk and start swimming. Feed infusoria or liquid fry food several times a day.
Switch to newly hatched brine shrimp or microworms. Start small, daily water changes.
Add finely crushed flake. Sort fry by size so the big ones don't eat the small ones.
Most small fish reach about 2 cm in 2–3 months and can join the main tank.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Feed live or frozen food twice a day. Keep males and females apart if you can.
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.