Doubletail x Doubletail Geno

[logisticsguy]

I read somewhere that double tails were hard because the shortness of body can create internal issues such as swim bladder ect. and that DTs have a much lower survival rate. The darting around in circles and the red in head is fascinating and likely unrelated to the short body issues more common in DT. There is likely no way the deaths are related to water changes or quality imo and point to a neurological genetic component being involved. This is very interesting.

[Sena Hansler]

Well, I moved some of the babies to the tub that is exactly 80 degrees like the other tank. Some of the "red heads" died from being moved which I'm not surprised. I counted some, and estimate 100 out of the previous estimation of 250 that hatched. HUGE difference. And I know the genetics are good as Mickey was never ever sick, and Janey had a large and healthy spawn previously. That shows how difficult these fellas really are to breed. I may, instead of breeding two DT siblings, breed out to a single tail with a longer body. See how that works.

[Sena Hansler]

I'm afraid to ask if there is something happening I can't see. Or, if this tail type is so difficult that you constantly lose fry! Found 7 more dead today. I've been doing water changes, adding tap water conditioner, IAL, each has a bubbler on low to keep the surface clear, after feedings I clean up... I reckon I have maybe 70.

[BeautifulBetta123]

I don't know but I hope everything is alright :o

[Sena Hansler]

Yesterday I was pulling out a dead fry or two at a time... Today six more were dead. I moved the remaining fry into the tub. I have noticed some have bloody spines... Definitely a DT factor. Hopefully some will make it. There's no more than maybe 40.

I don't think I'll breed doubletails as often lol hoooooly. It's painful.

[Sena Hansler]

Wow... Doubletail rates a 10 on a scale of 1-10 for level of easy/hard to breed... Now I've done MORE than I did for the previous spawn of Janey's, which some of you know resulted in over 200 surviving fry. This time around... No more than 15.

I changed tactics. Okay, so I know they are extremely hard to breed... Probably extremely fragile too and can't take as much as any other tail type. Two days ago I placed five fry in a breeder's box in the cycled and heated 30 gallon sorority tank... While fry continued to die in the tub and tank, only one passed away in the cycled tank (but he had a red head so I expected it). So, on a whim and a hunch I've moved all the remaining fry to the cycled tank... Though the ammonia levels have been kept down in their spawn tank by numerous water changes.... I never thought about the fact that they are "deformed" rather than a "tail type" and therefore subject to the slightest changes....

Here's to the remaining fry. I don't think I'll breed DT again... If I do it is to a single tail to see the survival rate of THAT :/ otherwise, no more doubletails! They're just too complicated

[MattsBettas]

So sorry to read this. Hope at least a few come out alright. If you have any double tail females I would love one for my (near future) sorority.

[bryanacute]

Just wanted to post before I read ye entire thing so I would be subscribed!

[bryanacute]

Okay. I'm done. I noticed this wasn't as picture heavy as some of your others!? I also in the pics was able to see the double tails!

[Sena Hansler]

My computer is down, and we'll be borrowing one in a week or less. That's why there is less for pictures xD

As for the chance of survival, one of the small ones died. The others are eating and swimming which is good. One looks like it has three tails - very uneven and barely noticeable. It may be just a split in the top half. None are gret finnage, the biggest fella has the best finnage so far from what I can see.