Re: NANFA-L-- Mummichogs in freshwater

Todd D. Crail (tcrail-in-UTNet.UToledo.Edu)
Sat, 13 Aug 2005 17:56:09 -0400

Many times a drop or spike in pH works as a signal to fishes to spawn. I
discovered convict cichlids (as an example) spawned every time the hardness
was burned up in a large multisystem-in-my shop (too much nitrification and
reduction!), and the pH consequently dropped. A new bunch of fry was my
signal to do a waterchange :)

I don't know if it was one or the other or both... But I imagine the natural
signal is a seasonal weather change occurred (like the hardness and pH drops
or spikes because of inundation from wet season or spring rains, and the new
material they're bringing downstream). A heavy pulse of water into the
estuary is a whole new batch of carbon ready to be assimilated... Seems
like a good time to get my kiddos ready to eat it.

Todd
The Muddy Maumee Madness, Toledo, OH
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
http://www.farmertodd.com

----- Original Message -----
From: <Snailcollector14-in-cs.com>
> I think the pH is between 6-6.5 but I'll get it up pronto. These are some
> strange fish, as they apparently spawned-in-that pH. Perhaps the Potomac
is
> rather acidic, and they had adapted to it. The lights are on for about 14
hours a
> day.
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