Step by Step

Okay

First things first. What size tank do you wish to breed in? (a 75gal or larger is best, and recommended)

Second thing you NEED to do is get a proper divider worked out, WITH suction cups. I am currently using eggcrate as this provides excellent strength, and if they do bang against it will be fine. If you decide use eggcrate without some cups, then larger fish can still easily push it down, if they really wanted too. Also remember the more suction cups the better.

Some people do cut areas within the eggcrate for the female to come and go as she pleases. I however do not do this. If you decide to do this, the hole should be just big enough for her to get through comfortably, not the male...

Whenever I put a female with a male, these following steps are my method or routine I use.

1. Make sure the tank is "HERS" (NEVER put a female into a males tank, to risky)

2. Install a proper divider (as described earlier). Make sure the divider is placed giving the male more room. (the male usually will be the bigger fish)

3. Introduce the male to the female's tank, on "his" side of the divided tank. (NEVER just drop a male into the tank without a divider, period)

4. Turn lights off for a day. (this helps calm fish, that are newly introduced into a new environment.) Also no feeding should take place at this time.

5. After turning lights back on, then start feeding as normal. Maybe even add in "special" foods. (like maybe additional frozen foods or something) I do not recommend feeding live fish.

6. Resume Regular Maintenance. While paying very close attention on how the fish interact, through the divider. Do this for no less then 2weeks. This gives you proper viewing time to observe various moods of the fish, and interaction.

7. By this time the female either will show interest or not, and likewise for the male. Females will usually get plumper and maybe even show signs of spawning (digging, shaking, tail smacking, stress bars, and maybe a breeding tube).

8. When this breeding (egg)tube starts to drop (this should be fairly easy to tell if you have been observing like I advised), then and ONLY then try removing the divider. Proper time is needed to observe the introduction. Sometimes this can take several hours (not necessarily 100% attention, but a good bit). Do Not attempt this if you don't have the time to be around for the day to check in on them, if not watch them closely (at least for first hour). Interactions can turn very VIOLENT, very fast.

9. If for some reason things turn violent, replace the divider back again. The male is most likely not mature enough to breed. If this is the case refer to Step 10.

10. Repeat Steps 6-8. Also remember to separate them again with the divider.

If a breeding does take place, and all eggs die because not being fertile. Don't be alarmed he might be fertile still. Let them have a few more tries, sometimes the male learns from practice what to actually do.

Well hope this helps. Sometimes they will pair bond very easy. Other times they will be not compatible, or male is just to young.

Always keep in mind that solo fish, can be very hard to re-socialize. They become more like your wet pets, and anti-social to other fishes.

Thanks for the info bro.

I did everything as prescribed until step 9 where I found out that my shinto male isn't mature to breed yet. I can't wait for him to be ready. The female covered the entire 8 inch terra cotta with eggs this time. Thanks for the info.

no problem guys, glad to help :)

this is very helpful to me bro... My male might not be ready to mate yet... I'll keep trying bro... :-)