Determining the sex of the garra rufa fish is an important step in knowing whether one has a pair. In sexually dimorphic species, the sexes can be easily distinguished by primary (shape of sex organs) and secondary differences (size, shape, color [sexual dichromatism, finnage). Males are frequently more colourful, larger, and have more elaborate finnage. In sexually isomorphic species like the garra rufa fish, there are minute apparent sexual differences. The only way to distinguish between the sexes is the shape of the genital papilla, which is only visible around spawning times. With Garra Rufa fish, the males are slightly larger and the females are slightly rounder in the belly. Once males and females have been distinguished, a suitable pair or spawning group should be chosen. Garra rufa fish are egg-layers with external fertilization. The Garra Rufa fish are egg-scatterers and simply scatter their adhesive or non-adhesive eggs to fall to the substrate, into plants, or float to the surface. The Garra Rufa fish do not look after their brood and even eat their own eggs. Before placing the parent garra rufa fish together for spawning, they should be conditioned. Conditioning is feeding the garra rufa fish a variety of healthy foods to get them into top condition for spawning. The garra rufa fish should be conditioned on live foods such as brine shrimp, insect larvae, and flying insects. Garra rufa fish readily spawn in the aquarium but the eggs or fry often do not survive because of predatory parents or other garra rufa fish. Because of this; the garra rufa fish should be bred using a separate spawning tank. The spawning tank should be like a hospital tank. A 5-10 gallon tank is sufficient for spawning.

the spawning tank can be furnished with a substrate consisting of two layers of marbles or a nylon netting just above the tank floor. As the eggs are laid, they fall through the marbles or the netting out of the reach of the parents. After spawning is over, the eggs or the parents can be removed. One of the best ways to induce garra rufa fish to spawn is to simulate natural conditions. Among factors that encourage garra rufa fish to spawn are the environment, the food, and the rainy season. The right water conditions are among the most basic requirements in spawning garra rufa fish. Thus the water conditions should be similar to those in the natural environment of the species. Another important environmental condition is the right tank set-up including hiding places, spawning sites, lighting and water current.

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