Spawning Report: Gambusia vittata
Name: John Satterlee
Scientific Name of Fish: Gambusia vittata
Hobby Name of Fish: Gulf gambusia
Method of Reproduction: Livebearer
Number and Gender Distribution of Parents: 5 juveniles I reared
Origin of Parents: Tank raised
Approximate number of fry: At least 20
Date of First Hatch or Birth: Sept 25, 2023
Date of Free Swimming If Hatched: N/A
Approx. Number of Fry at 60 Days: >15
Aquarium Conditions:
pH: 7.2
General Hardness: 150 ppm
Average Temperature (72-76 F)
Salinity: none
Average Nitrate: < 40 ppm
Aquarium Size: 5.5 gallon
Water Source: Rockville MD tap water with Seachem Prime
Water Changes: 80% once a month
Filtration System: sponge filter
Additives: Crushed coral
Décor:
Live Plants: Valisneria, hornwort
No hardscape
Substrate: Home depot pebbles
Lighting Type and Timing: Home Depot light, 12 hrs on/12 hrs off
Food Fed to Parents and How Often: Tetra Color Tropical Flakes morning and evening. Freshly hatched baby brine shrimp every 1-2 days.
Food Fed to Fry and How Often: Finely ground dry fry food (Aquarium Coop) morning and evening, freshly hatched baby brine shrimp every 1-2 days.
Additional comments: They are colony breeding, and the adults for the most part do not appear to eat the fry. The adults and the fry are extremely skittish making them tough to photograph and to catch.
According to Fishbase: “Etymology: Gambusia: Gambusia: From the Cuban term, Gambusino, which means "nothing", usually in the context of a joke or a farce. Fishing for gambusinos = when one catches nothing (Ref. 45335).”
January 15, 2024 all grown up