Catfish juveniles © Ivonne Schilling
Catfish are sexually mature after about half a year to a year. Newly assembled, sexually mature pairs usually spawn for the first time after 2 to 3 months.
After that, they spawn every 4 to 8 weeks. 50 young and more can be born in one litter.
With varied feeding and regular water changes, catfish breed well.
Live food helps the female spawn.
They spawn in narrow caves that should be as vertical as possible.
Female catfish photo: Stefanie Prinz
Some catfish also spawn under slabs of slate or lava rocks, under which they have dug a hole as a spawning hole.
The spawning readiness of the females can be recognized by their corpulence. Females ready to spawn are very rounded in the middle. If they are hanging on the pane, this is particularly easy to recognize.
Top3 for breeding antennae catfish:
Male catfish photo: Moritz Hertel
Antennae catfish do not form a real pair bond. The females are more likely to be forced into the den by the males. There the females attach the eggs to the ceiling and disappear again from the cave. The males then take care of the brood.
When the female has become noticeably slimmer and the male no longer swims around freely in the aquarium, spawning has taken place.
According to reports, bowhead catfish spawn less frequently in soft water and then lay fewer eggs. At pH values around 7.2 and a total hardness of approx. 11°, catfish spawn extensively. Frequent water changes also increase the spawning yield.
Female catfish photo: Philippe Coulon
Some catfish like to spawn near oxygen rocks, diffusers, etc.
There is usually a higher oxygen content there. Because the male is constantly fanning the eggs to ensure adequate oxygenation, and the male also needs oxygen himself, oxygen-rich water is comfortable for the male.
It also recovers faster and can spawn again faster.
If a pair of catfish does not spawn even after a long time, despite the best conditions, a vigorous water change with cooler water can promote the willingness to spawn.
If half the water in an aquarium at 25° is replaced with cool water at 10°, the temperature drops by 5° to 6°.
It should be noted that such temperature changes are not without risk for all fish species.
Antennae catfish want to multiply:
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