Anyone bred irrubescos successfully?

[creampuff]

I've a male and a female irrubesco. From Day 1, the male didn't seem to fancy the female, possibly because she's much smaller in size. I haven't been able to find another female, though I will still keep up the hunt.

He has recently become more "docile" towards her, except during feeding times. She, however, has learnt to dodge whenever he appears to be swimming towards her. There are moments however, when they're actually seen swimming in very close proximity, mimicking each other's actions.

She has grown since I last got her, and this few days, there seems to be a persistent side-way bulge in her tummy. At first, I thought it was just over-eating, but it doesn't seem like it, cos when she overeats, it bulges downwards (sorry for the weird descriptions). So I'm wondering if she could possibly be sexually mature, and carrying eggs.

Anyone has any experience trying to breed these jokers?
Thanks!

[Tihsho]

You will notice when a female is gravid when she is constantly round (like crammed pack of food round) and you havnt been feeding a lot.

[Cindy]

Sorry to hijack your thread, creampuff. But anyone can give us an idea on how large the females are before they carry eggs? I've got red eyes too, you see.

[creampuff]

No problem Cindy. i want to know the answer to your question too. You've got 2 pairs right? Any breeding behaviour yet?

[Tihsho]

Try feeding a really mixed diet and screw around with the temp slightly. In most cases it starts breeding hormones in many fish. Helped with my figure 8 becomming gravid too.