Breeding & Raising Peacock Gudgeons

Join us LIVE on KZbin every Wednesday at 9pm Eastern!
-🐠Buy Live Aquarium Fish here: dansfish.com
-🌿 for Live Plants and Aquarium Supplies, here's a link to our friends at Aquarium Co-op:
www.aquariumco...
-👕Merch: merch.dansfish...
#aquarium #aquariumfish #fishtank

[@zacharyferris3195]

My gudgeons haven’t bred in over half a year! I added a few 0.75” capped PVC a few days ago and they just bred! I’m gonna try the uplift tube method when I moved them into my breeding box. Fingers crossed for 1st successful hatch! 😬

[@mingbritson]

Cool fish -- I love mine, but no breeding (yet)... One of THE BEST breeding videos I've seen, Dan. Super detailed and need-to-know info -- much appreciated!

[@ItsSweetShot]

I'm trying to breed firetail gudgeons and this video is very helpful. thanks!

[@mingbritson]

Gosh I LOVE this fish -- and that leaf-spawning footage in INCREDIBLE!!!

[@medinaaquatics7572]

Dan, a Pair of the Peacock Gudgeons I got from you about 10 days ago Spawned already 👍🏽 Will be pulling the eggs out in a day or two and put in an Egg Tumblers. Excited to try raising my first Non- Cichlid Fry 🙏🏽

[@DansFish]

AWESOME!!! I just hatched a batch a few days ago and they growing up in a scud culture right now. Love these little guys!

[@newmexicoaquatics282]

I got some peacocks from Preston today! Thank you both kindly! - Little Bobby

[@crownethorne]

Thanks Dan this is by far the best video on KZbin about breeding these guys 👍👍 Your time and knowledge are greatly appreciated.

[@DansFish]

Glad you found the video valuable. Thanks for watching.

[@kcfeb07]

My first fry was ok but only 7 of then survived. Mont later got another fry and seems like I'm doing better with them. Thanks bud for great information.

[@spaghettimonter13]

Glad to see 0 dislikes on a video about one of my favorite fish

[@charitymystique1690]

Thank You! You're good at explaining the complicated things! I'm not stressed out which is a relief?!

[@Eli5047]

Great video thanks

[@TMAquatics]

Packed with great information. Thanks Dan 👍

[@DansFish]

Thanks, TM. I'm lovin' your channel too!

[@HCAqua]

I'm totally doing this! Thanks for the lesson.

[@DansFish]

We all expect vids of fry!

[@hmmhumm1223]

Great video

[@rabmichelle7825]

Great info 😊

[@kerrypitt9789]

Dan these little fish are so beautiful. There is a Gudgeon that lives in the UK, probably other places, that is around the same size or about two ounces weight wise. So they are not the same colouration, though I am not sure about spawning colours. They actually fish for them during tournaments, with bread balls on a #24 or smaller hook!! The world record for that Gudgeon is around 4 ounces. I'll take this one! Are they similar in temperament to Multifasciatus ? I am looking for interesting small tank fish (10 to 20 gallon tanks) as usual, thanks Dan! You are a great guy!

[@DansFish]

The peacock gudgeons, IME, are very peaceful. I'm assuming you are asking about Multifasciatus shell dwelling cichlids? If so, no, they are very different in temperament. Those little cichlids pack a lot of aggression into that little body and any fish which wanders into their territory better beware. The peacock gudgeons are not overtly aggressive and, when they do show a bit of aggression, it is usually just 2 males sparring for a bit. At least, that is how they behave in my tanks.

[@kikit5164]

Hi! Just came across your video! Great information. I have 5 Peacock Gudgeons right now, 2 males and 3 females. One pair is in the process of trying to spawn. I hope with this info I have some luck with my couples!

[@madfishdiva]

Beautiful fish. very informative

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Diva! Glad you stopped by.

[@mariaz9538]

They are beautiful ! Congrats on the eggs. Btw, I did a water change on the discus tank the other day and was able to measure the Empire Gudgeons...the male is almost 4 inches and the female is definitely 4 1/4 inches long good luck with yours. Looking forward to an update Happy New Year 🎉

[@DansFish]

I can't wait to see the Empires when they are grown. They are already pretty at this small size. I bet they blow my mind later!!!! Thanks for the info and Happy New Year to you as well.

[@philtirah]

That was adorable. I wish I had entered your contest yesterday now!

[@DansFish]

Glad you liked those gudgeons...they are one of my favorites.

[@audreyflores9089]

Very awesome tutorial. Those fish are so cool looking!

[@DansFish]

They are one of my favorites. Hardy. Peaceful. Beautiful. AND easy to breed. What's not to like?!

[@carbonrili2874]

Happy New Year Dan.

[@DansFish]

You as well, Carbon!!!!!

[@Cgraseck]

Oh.... Happy New Year!

[@DansFish]

Right back atcha, Grassy!

[@nathanking2484]

Excellent video, well done!

[@Cichlids23]

Great video Dan...Happy New Year!

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Cichlids23...Happy New Year to you as well!

[@bigyak35]

very in depth video bro i thought i new something and you just blew my mind especialy with the upflow pvc pipe i dont now why i didnt think of that also are you selling any? how are the emperor's doing

[@DansFish]

Howdy BigYak! Thanks, I'm glad the vid had some new info in it for you. I learn something new about fish keeping everyday...that is what keeps me interested in it. The empire gudgeons are doing great...they are only about 1/2 grown, but several have already started showing their amazing colors. They are a special fish for sure! I have both for sale. Peacocks here: getgills.com/product.detail/378 Empires here: getgills.com/product.detail/410

[@bigyak35]

@@DansFish thanks you are the man. peace brotha

[@DansFish]

:)

[@TheBSideDJ]

you say the brineshrimp you put in in the morning would last till afternoon, .. I always feed very small amounts at one time, because i thought brineshrimp only survive 30 minutes to 1 hour in freshwater. I'll better do a test, because according to your information, i may be wrong.

[@DansFish]

Everyone's water is different, but, in my water, the bbs last many hours if they are put in during the first instar stage.

[@SpencerJ289]

How do you harvest/catch your infusoria from the big tank while not getting the others like skuds or worms. Do you just suck some water up and there are enough they will be in the water?

[@nataliesmith8947]

As someone who just got a pair of them, does the male usually chase the female around before she is ready to spawn? He seems like he’s annoying her

[@Suikostinger]

What egg tumbler are you using, I bought one on Amazon and they aren't tumbling. They will tumble a little for about 5 minutes then when i check on them later they aren't tumbling, I guess because the eggs are too sticky...?

[@williamsalloum2589]

I have a few peacocks myself and they are about to breed. Thanks for the info. But how can I get a constant feed of baby brine shrimp?

[@DansFish]

Howdy William, The only way I know of to get a reliable supply of bbs is to purchase a can of brine shrimp eggs and hatch them yourself. There are lots of vids on KZbin about how to do this. It really is the way to go.

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

New logo pic, shorter channel name. Very interesting little fish. I imagine the Empire Gudgeon practices the same behaviors? How are the Apistos and Uaru doing? Happy New Year to you and yours!

[@DansFish]

Howdy Bob! Like the new name for the new year. Yes, I think the Empires will spawn in a pipe as well, although this my first time with them so I don't have much experience with them as of yet. Apistos are doing great...I'll be listing them soon. I wanted to do it earlier, but the holidays got in the way. The Uaru recovered and are doing great. I will probably list them next week provided nothing happens between now and then.

[@southnyourmind]

So... how often do these guys mate? Cause.. I have 2. Their eggs hatched about, 3 days ago. It looks like they're already trying to mate again, inside of my outlet of my canister filter (It was powered off because it was giving the fry a very hard time. I have the fry separated, until they're big enough to go into a different tank, and I have a filter running on the other side of the aquarium. )

[@codybrown1943]

Can I get an ID on that egg tumbler man? Great video btw!!

[@jodymarty3179]

Do you have any pro tips for the egg tumblers part. I have the pvc cave inside the egg tumbler and it appears the fry will brake free to swing at any time now. I'm so worried that I will have to much flow and come home to find them all stuck to the roof of the egg tumbler? Anything will be helpful. Thank you and keep up the great videos

[@DansFish]

Hello Jody, Did it work out? I think the trick is to adjust the air in the tumbler so the babies will just bounce up and down on the bottom of the tumbler when they hatch instead of getting sucked up into the top. Of course, if they do get sucked up, they will probably just land on the bottom of the hatching container and be just fine until you can suck them up and return them to the tumbler.

[@jodymarty3179]

@@DansFish well it kinda worked. I have the cheap tumbler that is everywhere on Amazon. The holes in it are to big for those tiny fry. So I put I fine sponge up top. The problem was that the fry were even smaller then I thought. So alot of fry were stuck inside the sponge and not saveable. They are breeding like crazy so I bought the good ziss tumble. I can just drop the pvc tube with eggs on it. Inside the ziss tumbler. I think that should work. Thanks for all your help and taking the time to reply. I'm gonna hit the little bell on your channel right now.

[@Pokehmongz]

How fast can they eat their eggs? Mine laid eggs one day and the next they were all gone. Assume the male ate them all.

[@DansFish]

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. Once the decide to eat them, the eggs disappear fast. The good news is that they will usually get the hang of it eventually.

[@rebeccapacey]

Hi Dan, Thanks for this super informative video. If you don't have an automatic water change system like you do, how often should one do a water change with the fry and how much? I usually use a little gravel vacuum but I assume that would not be suitable at all with fry in the tank! What would you use?

[@DansFish]

Rebecca, water change frequency is highly variable...depends on stocking density, feeding regime, filtration, plants, temperature, etc. However, 25% or so a week is usually sufficient in a nice, balance system. The adult gudgeons will eat their babies as soon as they are free swimming, so you might get more babies if you are able to remove them to a rearing container as wrigglers.

[@gavogr69]

Hi Dan thanks for the video full of great tips and info. How have you setup your auto water change system?

[@DansFish]

Hello Gavin, Here's an old video I made of the water system when it was first installed. It should explain things fairly clearly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIHMcn-obbBqjNU

[@gavogr69]

@@DansFish Thanks very much for that i will have a look

[@OliverMatthewsPhotography]

How close were they to hatching when they were shown in the pipe at 6:10? Would that be a good time to remove a male from caring for them?

[@DansFish]

When you can see they eyes in the eggs, that is a good time to remove them.

[@OliverMatthewsPhotography]

@@DansFish thanks 😊 I ended up doing it two days later, just a day before they hatched! Currently have at least 7 fry swimming about

[@jobobighole1495]

So how many days do u leave them to eat the yoke before you start to feed them yourself? And I’ve also have empire gudgeons is the method to breeding them even anywhere near close to these guys? Please reply to this comment if you can

[@lakemiya6]

My gudgeons spawned unexpectedly..... I don’t have a “healthy messy” tank to grow them out. Recommendations?!? Thank you!!

[@nathanking2484]

you could buy a fry enclosure that hangs/sticks onto your existing tank

[@Cgraseck]

Got ta love those pink bellies. ;-) The pair that I got from you are doing well. I'll have to put some PVC in with them. What type of egg tumbler are you using? I hear that the empire gudgeons have very small fry that are extremely difficult to raise. Any action on those guys?

[@DansFish]

Howdy Grassy, Glad to hear the pair I sent you is thriving. I bought the egg tumblers from a fellow hobbyist who was DIYing them. I don't think he is doing it anymore. Pretty much any tumbler would work. As to the Empire Gudgeons, they are not evern 1/2 grown yet, so no spawning action that I have seen.That being said, several males have colored up nicely so I think they may be getting very close to spawning age. I've never had them before, so I really don't have any pointers on breeding them besides what I can find in a google search. That being said, even at this small size they are AMAZING when they color up!!!

[@hmmhumm1223]

Have you had any luck with powdered food the first few days? I read somewhere that’s possible, but they also said it takes a few days till they’re free swimming after hatching which definitely isn’t true lol. I have some hatched right now and there’s a small amount of infusoria in my tank I’m about to culture some wondering if I should just do it in the 10 gal fry raisin tank. I’m using that as a grow out tank it has a small hob filter

[@bayoubanditsfishing1366]

do you have any peachy gudgeons for sale?

[@freshwateraquatics5567]

Is there any way for raising the fry without using emfusoria? Like powder up some flake food before baby brine? Even if there is like a 30% survival rate?

[@azntactical4884]

Boiled egg yoke will probably work. That is pretty common with small fry.

[@NoAnonima]

👀👀👀

[@mickealm93]

What pH and tds do you keep them in?

[@DansFish]

Howdy Mike, My water is around neutral pH and is very soft...2 grains of hardness max. That being said, the breeder who I got them from kept them in very hard water with a very high pH. They do well in both as long as the water is clean and the parameters are stable.

[@amyfurbee9099]

I am new to breeding fish and to Peacock Gudgeons. I got my first pair a few months ago and they recently started spawning. By the time the male leaves the cave the female is ready to spawn again, so the male is only out eating for a day, two at most, before he is back fanning a new batch of eggs. This went on for four spawnings over approx 5 weeks. Will he continue to stay with the eggs the point it affects his health? I became concerned that he would starve so I recently separated them. The female is in a tank with the older fry and she is full of eggs again. Is this harmful for her? Will she eventually lay them with or without the male? Is it best just to keep them together? Thank you, I appreciate any advice I can get.

[@DansFish]

Hello, Amy. Sounds like you have quite the pair! Lucky you. I know lots of folks that would love to have your breeding success. I think you are on the right track removing the male. Seperating them for a week or two between spawnings is probably the way to go. She won't get eggbound in that time and he can eat a bit.

[@parislewis7940]

MINE JUST SPAWNED TODAY!!! Woot! Go male

[@SkippersAquariums]

I will ne getting those off of ya that is for sure.

[@DansFish]

Howdy Thomas, I've got about 100 of them if you need some! BTW, I watched your first 2 vids...nice work, buddy!

[@SkippersAquariums]

@@DansFish Thank you bud. plz sub.

[@DansFish]

:)

[@probludger]

When raising peacock gudgeon fry, do you salt bath them and if so how frequently and at what rate?

[@DansFish]

They are pure fresh water. No salt needed at any point of their life cycle. Which is nice as it makes them easy to raise :)

[@LadyKej]

Nice fish, but Oh my gosh, that nasty, worm-filled tank is my worst nightmare!!! I couldn’t keep watching.

[@DansFish]

Perhaps I should go into horror films?

[@LadyKej]

Lol!

[@DansFish]

:)