How Do I Know They Are Breeding?

**Xuniet** · 04-17-2012, 08:24 AM

I just put my 41 gram female in her 20 gallon tank with a proven male on Sunday, and I have no idea if they're breeding. Now it's Tuesday. Is there any way I can for sure tell besides the appearance of eggs in 3-4 weeks?

~Xuniet

**Samantha12986** · 04-17-2012, 08:58 AM

The only way to tell is to actually witness it (as far as I know anyway). If you see bite marks around her crests, that can also be an indication that he at least tried but it wouldn't be proof that mating was successful. I usually keep my pairs together for a week and try to witness at least once before I separate them. If they are getting along well, not losing weight, and not showing signs of stress some people keep them together longer.

**Xuniet** · 04-17-2012, 06:28 PM

I don't think they're doing anything... What's the best way to witness it? I've been putting them in a Kritter Keeper during the evening, but they just fall asleep and walk around.

**rubberduckey273** · 04-17-2012, 06:32 PM

The best way to know if they're doing it, besides witnessing it, is if the female lays eggs. I've always had the best success putting the male in the female's enclosure, usually for a week or two. I try not to bother them other than to feed them, and I've yet to have any issues.

How long have you been trying to get them together now? Is your male a first time breeder?

**Spyral** · 04-17-2012, 06:33 PM

Some are more private than others. Putting them in a completely new environment can stress them and keep them from their normal behaviors. If you sleep in the same room as their normal tank, their noises might wake you up. I've had that happen. You could also remove the male for two weeks and then re-introduce him. Keep the lights off or use a red light to see if he's interested in mating with her right away.

**Xuniet** · 04-17-2012, 07:27 PM

They've been together since Sunday evening, and now it's Tuesday evening. I was told when I bought male he was a proven breeder. I just witnessed the male trying, but my female ran away

. Is it possible the female might be too strong or too unwilling for him?

**rubberduckey273** · 04-17-2012, 07:36 PM

Some females will just run off at first. They usually just take a little time, and will eventually allow the male to mate. But yes, if you're moving them around, the female could become stressed and less likely to mate. Usually if I do witness a mating, its between 12 and 2 at night. And its pretty quick, and easy to miss. I'd give it a week or two, as long as there is no fighting, and then separate them. If the female doesn't lay eggs in a month, put them together again.