I have had alot of people asking me for advice and tips on getting there leo's to breed so I thought I would
tell everyone what worked for me.
First i have had my leo's for about 3 years, They first started off in a 240 with 3 other rays a hystrix,henlei,mossiac ray and i large silver arro and a few dats so obviously the tank was way overcrowded
but I perform water changes 3 times a week 50% no more and keep the filters mantained
and just feed my rays well I was even doing feedings every other day back then not knowing my female leo was pregnant.
I feed mostly smelt and shrimp and live blackworms at times i have been playing with other foods
like mussles,scallops etc..
Then one day i noticed she was looking a little more swollen then usual but didn't think much of it
I thought it was impossible for them to breed in a 240
until i walked in one morning around 10 am and there was 2 pups one hanging out of the males mouth
i ended up saveing one and he is still doing well to this day
After that i upgraded my tank to a 480 with a 4 foot wide foot print
and i year later with still a packed tank and alot of other actually 7 rays total in there she had 2 more pups on may 31st 2007 i am not sure if a pair by themselves helps them pair up or not with me it did'nt make a difference.
Because i do so many water changes my ph stays steady at 8.2 nitrates i don't test for anymore
i strongly recomend you seperate the female when you think she might be pregnant becuase they come out small and male leo's won't hesistate to try and eat them
i used a egg crate and it worked well for me
if anyone has any questions that i have'nt added let me know
here are some pics of the pups from the first litter and now thw second
one last thing i am still unsure of when they paired up it seemed to take around four months for her to pop
i know motoros are around 100 days hopefully someone else can add in on this
and the parents are pretty big female 19 to 20" male about 16 to 17"
Thanks for reading
Brent

This post has been edited by Brent: Jun 12 2007, 03:47 PM

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The parents

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Thanks for posting. It's good to hear your story.

Thanks for all the info Brent! Its great to see someone having so much luck with these beautiful rays. Do you think they mated again after this last litter?

Sarah

yes I am hopeing its hard to say i have never caught them in the act

I hope they did, hopefully you will get a female one of these times!!!

Sarah

Thanks for the info Brent!!

Nice! Thank for sharing some info.

Brent,
very cool thread bro !
this is GREAT for the hobby indeed.
Darin.

gr8 info...what temp. do you keep your rays at?

Show off Great info, great rays and most of all great breeder.
Alex

i don't run a heater on my tank the pumps keep it warm enough
right now its at 84 in mid summer up to 87
its pretty much always in the low 80's though

pic of my sand for a few that asked

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Thanks but I still cant find it on the net. Do you know where I can find it or do you have the companies info so I can call and order it. Thanks

new pics of pup 3 months old just to share

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Interesting markings on that pup! Very cool, Brent.

thanks! ED
heres a few more updated shots

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Everything looks great. I am having trouble finding that sand/rock you are using as well. I really like the look.

there are some amazing pics in the photo lounge if anyone is interested
my female is preg again should have more pups in feb march 08
thanks

This post has been edited by Brent: Nov 25 2007, 12:44 PM

awesome Brent!!! Maybe your leo and i will give birth on the same day...lol So tell her to aim for feb 24th!!

Sarah